MTFCA Forum

I had just decided to load up a trailer load of parts. A lot of Model T, Model A, And a lot of old tools and other makes of car parts. But I had never set up at Hershey. I checked into it today and received an email back this evening. It seems we cannot sell because we did not register by August 15th. It seems they must be very independent. They had plenty of open spaces last year. With the higher gas prices, everything else has been down this year. So, I am sure, Hershey will be down even more this year also. It is hard to imagine they would turn down two vender's spots. I can understand, on a reserved spot. But, when you don't care what area, they will put you in, I am surprised they are that independent when they will probably not be close to filling all the spaces this year.

I understand they closed most if not all of orange field for construction. I was in orange for years and had to move. Could be why spaces are condensed.

Just because you saw empty spaces at Hershey doesn’t mean they weren’t preregistered to someone.

It's not a few hundred spaces, it is several thousand. They are not able to accommodate late registrations and still layout the fields and get everything set up correctly. In the 1990s, I was one of those that laid out the spaces. Its really a process to set up the fields and it's done by 100% volunteers.

I think it also has to do with the programs they sell.
Lists every vendor by alphabetical order and the space they are in.

Don't be turned back. Ask of the Model T guys. Somebody always has a change in family situation and can't go to Hershey this particular year because of it. Ask around, you should be able to get a couple of spots off someone else with just a little bit of effort. Guys may not want to give up their spots long term but for this year they would let you use them. Good luck.

Several years ago, I decided after I arrived that I might want another space to park my trailer so that could arrange my selling space better. I went to the main tent and paid for another spot and got it. Sure, it was way the heck out in no mans land, but I was just looking for a place to dump my trailer anyway. This was maybe 10-15 years ago I think

Lyndon: Start another thread and see if you can find someone to sublet to you. We want to see your stuff!

They also want Pa. Taxes and you have to be setup on that with ID number and they want the proof when signing up.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for all the ideas and suggestions on ways to still come. But I am about out of the mood of even fooling with it now. I will probably never be able to set up at Hershey with having to give approximately 1 1/2 months advanced notice. As I am never for sure with my business that I can make it until almost time to leave. You wanted to look at some of my stuff. Here are a few pictures. But I was just going to bring one trailer load. These are just a few pictures of the parts I purchased in 2020 of Leon Parkers estate. The first trip was a 20 ft truck and trailer with 4-foot sideboards, with a second deck added. We also had two more truck and trailers, 18- foot with 2 ft sideboards. And one more truck with a 12-foot trailer. It took us 4 trips to haul it all. And we were overloaded. We were trying to inventory as we were unloading. But was running out of time and had to get it inside, and in the dry. Some of the items we were able to count. Just like there were 158 wheels, mostly Model T. Around 250 coils. If I remember right, there were 27 engines. 5 brass T's, disassembled. The oldest,1914. One trailer load of banana boxes, mostly new parts. Still have not begun to go thru all the boxed items. It was like my own Hershey, at home. So here are a few pictures. I wish I had a building large enough to lay it all out to be able to sort it. It would make it a lot faster and easier. So, we will just have to wait another year and see how it goes.

More photo's

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You should plan on Luray next year.

At Luray, can you just get a spot the day you get there? Can you camp at your spot? And do you have to get a VA tax number?

Luray is a great little show. Yes spots are available the day of the show, yes you can camp in your space, no VA tax forms to fillout. Good old fashioned swap meet ! Darryl

Is your location Bloomfield Michigan?

No, I live in a hole in the road called Bloomfield Missouri. And I will seriously think about Luray next year.

What is the building with the model T era Ford sign painted on the side ? Was that an old dealership back in the day ?

Yes, that is the old Ford place of Bloomfield MO. It was built in 1912. It went thru several ownerships. And remained a Ford place until about the start of WW2. Then another new building on HWY 25, just on the skirts of town, which did not remain as a Ford Dealership very long. Most all of my life, the old building has been a liquor store. Until about 2 years ago, then it closed. The building is still in good shape. I would love to own it. But the old lady that owns it now, is living in another time. It will never sell for what she wants. A couple years ago, I started researching it, and was going to put a story together for the forum about then and now. I have a picture of the front view in the 1920's And also a calendar from 1927. But I never got around to finishing it. One more piece of history. For guys around the St Louis MO area. This is the building where Sam Scism Ford in the Farmington/Flat River area, which is still in business today, started. Bloomfield also has another interesting piece of automotive history. Involving General Motors. About the vacuum shift. Which came out on the 38 Buicks, I think. This was invented and patented here in Bloomfield, in 1928. Then GM stole it. Then wound up in lawsuit. And GM lost. This made the man Fairly wealthy for that time.
Now my question for you. How did you find the picture of the old Ford place. I tried googling Bloomfield and never did see it.
I will try to get on my other computer to attach a couple photos of the building for everyone tomorrow.

Here is a picture of the side of the building with the painted sign.

That's a great load of T stuff! Sorry you missed the deadline though. Are you an AACA member? If not, you should join so you can keep track of registration details. If you are ever able to make it be sure to register the right way instead of buying someone else's spaces. There are strict rules about who occupies them. Recommend you check the Hershey Region AACA website where you'll find all you need to know about the event including maps of the swap meet areas.
Terry

Bigal wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 15, 2022 9:41 pm

I understand they closed most if not all of orange field for construction. I was in orange for years and had to move. Could be why spaces are condensed.

Check the maps on-line at the Hershey Region AACA Website. It show the Orange field pretty much full. There are a few rows way in the back that are not shown on the vendor map this year but not many. A couple of years ago they did relocate some Red Field vendors due to a construction project but most everyone I know who was impacted is ok with their new spaces.
Terry