MTFCA Forum

Wondering about Hershey turn out this year. Have been checking motel rooms available around Hershey. Looks like there are plenty of rooms in Hershey and lots around. Even some still available at Hotel Hershey. Usually the rooms are all gone by spring.
Who is going and what are you bringing?
I may leave my trailer home and just load the truck. Dan

I've been going every year since I retired, and I still know how, but now I'm not up for three days of walking.

Steve:
I believe they still rent scooters at Hershey. jb

I have only missed maybe half a dozen years since 1980. But last year was worse as far as walking traffic past my booths. I am wondering if this year is going to be worse due to the economic slowdown and it being an election year.
With empty hotel rooms this close to start of Hershey is worrying.

Frankly, I think there are a lot more old folks that have a harder time walking the great expanse, especially over the many days, too much post Kennedy uninteresting stuff for most old guys to add to the distance needed to walk...and the same old guys have come to the conclusion that if it rains, they lost interest a long time ago- If it is a baking tropical-like sun, they lost interest a long time ago...and there you have it.

Also, I think Covid put a crunch on the nightly get togethers for the most part...last time I was there it was the son and me that tied up to go out and eat at night because we couldn't find takers. I would think it was not us. As a collector group we use to swarm local places and take command, and for the many years the family held 10 spaces and we basically lived there for the duration, and held open dinners from the camper with lots of chairs about. Recently, those with trailers reportedly don't socialize all that much at night. I dunno...been hoteling it in more recent times.

I actually think that AACA should readdress what it does. For the old, old, stuff, set up streets not just location finders scattered over 100's of acres. Computers would make that quite easy to do and just as convenient as what they do now. Makes the walk a whole lot different...but at the same time prob gets more like Chickasa...those homer buckets with 2 dozen Bendix for 25 bucks will get swooped on set-up...lol...not found under a table, say, Saturday at noon at a guys booth who has very little T stuff.

I'm probably not going this year. No great shakes. Last time I went on a Saturday only and stayed over to return Sunday and it taxed me - made even worse for buying 4 tires on felloes on wheels with hubs 10 minutes after entering the field and trying to walk them two at a time back to the car (lol)...only to find out later they were mismatched makers on the rims/felloes...but boy, you couldn't beat the price...lol...and while fun...no where near the joy I felt when I started very late 60's when the flea market was maybe one long row in the field...and the car show was IN the stadium and you could day park in the stadium lot if you got there by say, maybe 830 after stopping for breakfast on the way in. Anyone at all remember Henry McBride the tail light guy? Came up when it started, originally in an old black Chevy sedan delivery and He was one of the original 16 vendors to participate. Later years he had a 2 person tag trailer that was vintage in itself. He was fun...spent hours talking with him...25 years later after trying for about 2 decades...his estate sold me his original low mileage 15 Roadster...yes, fond memories of Hersheys past...

As they say every dog has its day. Maybe lots of reasons as mentioned..age and economy being the top issues. Yeh there's SOME "young" guys entering the hobby but not in enough percentage to sustain it. And how many can literally afford close to $500 in travel and lodging just to BE there let alone buy stuff! Count me out for sure!

Also it seems for whatever reason Luray is taking over the popularity. Maybe just cause it's relatively new.

Luray is focused on Model T and Model A, so you don't see muscle car vendors et al along with all the other stuff. I went to Luray with a wish list of early brass parts and found it all, and then some. My wallet was much lighter upon departure but I found some really hard stuff to find. I would have to walk miles and miles at Hershey and MAYBE find the same stuff.

I’ve never been to the big one we’ve known for years which is Hershey. Yes times are changing as us older and old guys can tell how we can get around and can still do but not as easy.
I would imagine now days at Hershey it’s been moving to the classic car era. Yes 57 Chev’s and other cars from the 50’s thru the 70’s are getting to be the go to cars because you can get out and drive them on the main highways most of the time. Just a fact of life as time goes on. And yes Model T’s, A’s and other cars of that era can be found at Hershey because it’s meant to be for most any older cars.
Old car hobbyists sooner or later move to when they were in High school and grew up with. Thats when they start to have the time and money to fix one up.

I’ve been around Model T’s since I was 10 years old only because my Grandfather left me his and my Father was the type of guy who always wanted to keep his Fathers old garage and what was left of his cars.

If it hadn’t been for that I would have stayed with the 56 Ford that I had in High School.

Hershey is still an amazing swap meet and an incredible event that everyone in the old car hobby should experience. If you can’t find what you are looking for, then you aren’t looking hard enough!

I’m my opinion, one of the biggest things hurting Hershey attendance is everyone posting online about how they feel it “isn’t what it used to be” and complaining about how people think attendance is down.

Let’s think about this for a moment. Let’s say you are someone new to the hobby who is thinking about attending Hershey for the first time and all that you read about on the internet are negative comments about it. Do you think you would attend?

My advice, “STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HERSHEY!” Make the trip and make the most of it. Enjoy yourself! Join AACA and get a vendor space and sell some parts!

I’ll be there with some T parts priced to sell and enjoying every minute of it. The day I get home is the day I start counting down the days till the next Hershey!

I went once in 2008, I'm a 100% disabled Vet and have trouble walking very far. I'm very good at hiding my pain. I remember asking an official about renting a golf cart and was told very sternly that those carts were for the handicapped only. I looked him and said ok, no problem and that was the last time I ever went.

Well, me, my father and my brothers will be there in the Chocolate field with our spaces doing the same thing we have done for the past 40+ years... catch up with Hershey friends and buy and sell some old stuff. And on Friday we'll have three T's on the showfield!

Hershey is far from over, the wooden nickle says 4 more years!

Stop complaining and get out there and participate! And as far as Hotel rooms go, thats a poor gauge. As a local, I can tell you, there are easily 4x's the hotels in our region than there have been in the past. So no surprise they are not full in Hershey as the closer to the park you are, the more expensive the rates. And personally I would NEVER pay thr rate to stay in Hotel Hershey. While the common areas are beautiful, the rooms are terribly small and dated.

Ed Fuller wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 23, 2024 6:13 pm

Hershey is still an amazing swap meet and an incredible event that everyone in the old car hobby should experience. If you can’t find what you are looking for, then you aren’t looking hard enough!

I’m my opinion, one of the biggest things hurting Hershey attendance is everyone posting online about how they feel it “isn’t what it used to be” and complaining about how people think attendance is down.

Let’s think about this for a moment. Let’s say you are someone new to the hobby who is thinking about attending Hershey for the first time and all that you read about on the internet are negative comments about it. Do you think you would attend?

My advice, “STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HERSHEY!” Make the trip and make the most of it. Enjoy yourself! Join AACA and get a vendor space and sell some parts!

I’ll be there with some T parts priced to sell and enjoying every minute of it. The day I get home is the day I start counting down the days till the next Hershey!

YES! Thank you!

What is it that makes folks want to rip on events that we all presumably love to attend? The same thing happened with several posts about Old Car Festival. These so-called "social media" forums seem to have given a lot of people their "bully pulpit" to let others know how current events don't match their discerning taste in some way or another. (I'm not picking on anyone in particular who made any comments above, since I have not read any of them. I simply jumped to Ed's posting.)

There was an annual antique phonograph sale that I attended for at least 30 years. The very first time I went, I was standing in the long line, waiting for the show to open. All I heard was a bunch of folks crabbing about how, "... it's not the same", "...all the good stuff is already in collector's hands", "...nothing but junk anymore", etc. I felt sick, like I had made a big mistake driving 300 miles to be there. When I finally got inside, it was an amazing show. For the next 30 years however, the same B.S. went on in line. It was always great, with more stuff than I could possibly haul, afford, or even imagine. Just like Hershey!

Let's go! Let's have fun! And, let's come back here on Oct 12 to share our great memories of Hershey 2024!

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:15 am

Ed Fuller wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 23, 2024 6:13 pm

Hershey is still an amazing swap meet and an incredible event that everyone in the old car hobby should experience. If you can’t find what you are looking for, then you aren’t looking hard enough!

I’m my opinion, one of the biggest things hurting Hershey attendance is everyone posting online about how they feel it “isn’t what it used to be” and complaining about how people think attendance is down.

Let’s think about this for a moment. Let’s say you are someone new to the hobby who is thinking about attending Hershey for the first time and all that you read about on the internet are negative comments about it. Do you think you would attend?

My advice, “STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HERSHEY!” Make the trip and make the most of it. Enjoy yourself! Join AACA and get a vendor space and sell some parts!

I’ll be there with some T parts priced to sell and enjoying every minute of it. The day I get home is the day I start counting down the days till the next Hershey!

YES! Thank you!

What is it that makes folks want to rip on events that we all presumably love to attend? The same thing happened with several posts about Old Car Festival. These so-called "social media" forums seem to have given a lot of people their "bully pulpit" to let others know how current events don't match their discerning taste in some way or another. (I'm not picking on anyone in particular who made any comments above, since I have not read any of them. I simply jumped to Ed's posting.)

There was an annual antique phonograph sale that I attended for at least 30 years. The very first time I went, I was standing in the long line, waiting for the show to open. All I heard was a bunch of folks crabbing about how, "... it's not the same", "...all the good stuff is already in collector's hands", "...nothing but junk anymore", etc. I felt sick, like I had made a big mistake driving 300 miles to be there. When I finally got inside, it was an amazing show. For the next 30 years however, the same B.S. went on in line. It was always great, with more stuff than I could possibly haul, afford, or even imagine. Just like Hershey!

Let's go! Let's have fun! And, let's come back here on Oct 12 to share our great memories of Hershey 2024!

Here here... AGREED! See you all there!

Apparently some folks believe it's too expensive to fit their preferred lifestyles. For me, the main expense has always been fuel getting there and coming home. Hotel rooms? At the Camry motel the driver's seat leans back for sleeping. Staying there is FREE. Parking? At the nearby public garage, parking is FREE. Would I walk a mile to save $60 or more? Every day and twice on Sunday. Meals? After I started eating out of grocery stores instead of restaurants every night, I spent less than half as much as I used to pay for food. It doesn't have to cost a fortune if you don't demand luxury accommodations.

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 23, 2024 2:07 pm

I've been going every year since I retired, and I still know how, but now I'm not up for three days of walking.

STEVE, You need to buy one of those 3 wheeled electric scooters for seniors and disabled. Then you wouldn't have to walk. Decades ago, when I went to Hershey and Fall Carlisle as a 30 year old, they were big enough to be punishing even for a 30 year old.

One of my friends and I have been going to Hershey together for about 4 years. I come on the forum and look to see where T guys will be set up. I make that list and a list of what I need. And those are the areas we hit. If we see something interesting between: bonus!

I’ve ventured over the walkway to the other areas but mostly stay in chocolate and red. And I’m happy with that.

Something I have heard for several years up there was Spaces with only a vehicle on them would be recorded and not offered to the same person again when the next year Space applications were sent out.

Last year I wondered if that policy had taken effect and left a lot of empties.

For me it is like a family reunion, as I often meet people that I have not seen for 30 or 40 years.

Then too, quite often they have something I need.

A Typical Example.

A Larger Example.

The above picture was taken in front of the MTFCA tent after a forum gathering at a past meet. We will again host a get together on Tuesday at 3 at our site. Come meet the folks you have been following on the forum.

You might get Steve Jelf in this year's photo.

Gee, I'm sorry...I didn't think I was 'dissing' the place. Someone was stating that they felt it was far from the same, I offered a personal anecdote of a guy who has been going since the late 60's and why my interest has seemingly waned...admittedly mostly on me and my own state of health.

Right after that my oldest son called and offered to take me to Hershey if he can get off work for a long day trip...I wasn't aware that it now closes on Friday? Does that mean everybody packs up Thursday night now or do they stay until Friday noonish? Looks like Tuesday/Wednesday is then going to be the best picking?

We’re there on Monday morning setting up til Thursdays afternoon when we pack up Hershey company wants us out Friday afternoon so they can clean up the field for Saturdays amusement park parking

I've been going since 1969 only missing when Uncle Sam had me, and it's still the best old car show and flea market, but nothing like it used to be.

I'll be out there with all sorts of upholstery items. I'll be in South Chocolate space CP 4 by light pole 69.

Mike Francis
Classtique Upholstery

Bringing the following:
E-TIMER - Maintenane free drop in electronic ignition
I-TIMER - Maintenance free mechanical timer replacement
ECCT - Coil Tester tunes coils by actually measuring firing Time

Chocolate Field C2A-61. Stop by and say Hello!

I will have mostly Model A parts but I will have a pair of good 24" wheels, an aluminum transmission cover with lettered pedals and a decent 1915-1916 aluminum hood. Maybe a few other T wheels/rims and some real good steering wheels. All priced to sell. North Chocolate C4Y 1-2.

Starting next year things for me will be much better money wise and hershey is a swap meet i want to attend at least once. But it does seem like there is some issues with parts I want being scattered.
of course to a point I would have to go to each section if it were divided by vintage of car anyway but looking for T parts and a pair of impossible to find fender skirts for a 1947 Pontiac Streamliner would be a all day thing. I would hope a golf cart or something could be used