I texted a friend asking "How was Chickasha today?"....

[GGZ]

...and he sent me a photo. What do you think?!?!

[jab35]

Where is everybody?

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I have never understood why, when things clearly have gotten smaller, they don't move the outside vendors into the buildings and condense things.

[GGZ]

Where is everybody?

That is the problem, they are all there!!!!

[KWTownsend]

I see Donnie...

[Humblej]

Yikes! Was there a bomb threat?

[Wayne Sheldon]

Wow. I do wish i was there though.

However, I remember when any swap meet with fifty sellers was considered a BIG meet! The very first swap meet I went to (still in high school then) had thirteen sellers. I helped a local model A club with their swap meet for several years in spite of me not being a member (several friends were members!). I remember them being happy with thirty-five selling spaces sold ($4 per space if I recall correctly?). I remember the first time they hit the fifty sellers number, and being ecstatic!

It would be much beter if they moved everyone closer together instead of spread far and wide.

[TXGOAT2]

Weather could be better.

[dobro1956]

Well "Donnie and Kathy" was there and that is our rooftop tent/motel room. We will pack up tomorrow and leave sometime in the afternoon. There was a decent crowd, the photo is later in the day after everyone left. We sold very well. And bought way more than I should have.
Now for the bad news. This is the last Chickasha. The Erslands lost money this year. I talked to the Erslands and got it from them personally. Had a nice long talk with them about why. Lots of reasons, but the big one is the price of renting the venue. The fairgrounds have done several multi million dollar renovations in the last several years. And that has caused a drastic rise in rental fees.
So "Rest in Peace" Chickasha Swap Meet. They had a autograph board for the vendors to sign if they wanted to. The Erslands are going to display it at their shop. I'll try to post more later, I did sign the board, and from the looks of things, my wife and I will be the last ones out the door tomorrow.

[TXGOAT2]

So many things are becoming un-affordable these days...

[signsup]

In my other hobby, we have gone to joint ventures with gun shows, knife shows, camping shows, etc. to share the cost. Yes, venue prices have gone way up with insurance, ADA compliance, security, liability, etc. And, the internet is a double edged sword when it comes to what used to be available only at swap meets.

[Dan Hatch]

Yous guys better sign up for Luray. Coming in May.

[Luke Chennell]

Yes, it’s the end. I was in the North building which was condensed so the spaces were relatively full. Sold a TON of parts, everything I brought. You can’t find a better audience for parts and tools than Chickasha was. That said, it’s also fair to say that most of the stuff that’s been swapped has been swapped. There’s not a lot that most of us need for parts these days, and a lot of the stuff left on the market just isn’t worth hauling around anymore.

I sold out of four sets of quality rebuilt coils by mid afternoon, and made deals on iron until my truck was empty by 4:00. When I say deals, I mean that was selling drivetrain parts for scrap iron prices. The fuel cost to take it home would have lost me money, so it was best to send it home on someone else’s trailer.

I lost a wheel on my trailer somewhere south of Wichita, and wound up loading most of the iron in my truck on the side of the Kansas turnpike with the semis blowing by beside me. I’m talking 3K worth of weight. I was mighty happy to see it all gone.

I still have to retrieve the trailer and the rest of the stuff I didn’t offload, which is probably another 3K. If you have big dreams of trading iron by hauling it halfway all over creation to get the same money you can find at the scrapyard at home, you need to have your head examined. I did earlier this week and still went ahead anyway, because I got to see all of my friends at Chickasha and get loopy about Model T parts.

But, the writing is pretty well on the wall for trading parts around so we can all socialize. We probably ought to all find a better way that doesn’t involve heavy equipment, large amounts of diesel fuel and back injuries. At 43 it’s still a rip roaring good time for me, but I doubt many of you older than I agree.

[JTT3]

Everything is perception, here’s a picture of the hotel I’m staying in at Chickasha. Just look at how many folks are in the hotel…….its sold out. I sold over 3K day one, guys across the aisle slightly more. Most everyone one said they were doing better than the past few years. I also bought items, one piece crank case, 2 piece timer, a JB 75 tail lamp, Dog leg top sockets , 10 steering column and some other small items. Lots of bargains to be had in the way of brass carbide generators an other early items. I will sell the remaining 2 boxes of items I have tomorrow.

[JTT3]

In North Building only west side was open.

[JTT3]

A few more pictures of how bad it wasn’t.

[dobro1956]

John, I agree. Was not as bad as the photo showed. We also did extremely well, both selling and buying. Will check out a few things tomorrow that a few people are trying to "make"me buy, with give away prices. Had a reall good time visiting with folks this evening. Mostly telling old Chickasha "war stories" and old memories. That's the part I'll miss the most.

[Upholstery Mike]

It's very busy for me, and it's well worth it to drive down from Minnesota. I am very sad that this is the last one, but I understand that policies have made it so many vendors don't want to come anymore. I see this as an opportunity fir someone can start a new Pre War Swap Meet. I have enjoyed Chickasha for so many years. It was my first Pre War Swap Meet. I will always remember it as a place to find lots of hard to find items and full of friends I look forward to seeing each spring.

Mike Francis
Classtique Upholstery

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

It's very busy for me, and it's well worth it to drive down from Minnesota. I am very sad that this is the last one, but I understand that policies have made it so many vendors don't want to come anymore. I see this as an opportunity fir someone can start a new Pre War Swap Meet. I have enjoyed Chickasha for so many years. It was my first Pre War Swap Meet. I will always remember it as a place to find lots of hard to find items and full of friends I look forward to seeing each spring.

Mike Francis
Classtique Upholstery

Mike is correct that this is an opportunity for someone to find an alternate facility to host this event. While the Midwest location certainly has some appeal, over half of the population of this country is in the East. Travel expenses to attend definitely affects attendance. Relocating to some small(-er) town in the eastern half of Arkansas or Missouri might have the same draw but on a much smaller scale. Luray basically used this same 'business model', and it has been highly successful for them.

[John Codman]

This almost happened at the Mansfield Massachusetts annual "Great Woods swap meet." One year the Mansfield Police department Informed the folks running the meet that they wanted $25,000 for Police coverage and traffic direction for the two-day event for the next year. The swap meet promotors said that they were done with the meet that had been held annually for decades. After a bit of "discussion", the police decided that they could provide the Gendarmes for less $. A lot less. The meet is still going on.

[KWTownsend]

Saw lots of friends with lots of empty real estate between them.

Michael, Donnie, Larry, Gene, John...

: ^ )

Keith

[dobro1956]

Keith, Glad I got to see you. You were one of the last people I got to visit with.

[VinTin23]

At least 1/2 the size in terms of vendors from last year.

Not that it matters anymore, but many folks said that it was the end of Thursday evening sales and end of overnight camping on the fairgrounds that kept a lot of folks (Vendors) home.

Still had a good time and found a number of things I needed.

[tdump]

At least 1/2 the size in terms of vendors from last year.

Not that it matters anymore, but many folks said that it was the end of Thursday evening sales and end of overnight camping on the fairgrounds that kept a lot of folks (Vendors) home.

Still had a good time and found a number of things I needed.

Yea I would say those 2 things shot it in the foot,not to mention higher use age fees of the grounds.
It would seem anyone with about 30 acres of flat land should be able to accommodate the event with some porta johns and such.
I was looking forward to the road trip next year to make it out there. Would be the first year I would be able to afford it. Looks like it won't matter. So I guess my 2025 road trip will be Luray then on up to the Henry Ford afterwards.

[JTT3]

Stay tuned may be only halfdead…… the adventure continues. I hope that the swap meet finds a new beginning, I live in the Deep South, so in reality it’s about the closest pre war meet to me an a central location for many states.
This morning, having coffee with my trophy bride of 33 years, I reminisced about seeing old friends from the forum & this swap meet that if something doesn’t change I’ll probably never see again. While texting and calling is a way to stay in contact there is nothing that compares to being together in a group laughing and lying about each other in sometimes exaggerated circumstances. Sharing a group dinner together and having that camaraderie that only a live event can give you, I will miss that. To my more than close friend Keith, what a great surprise brother. Thanks all for the memories. Perhaps from the ashes a phoenix will rise.

[RVA23T]

Stay tuned may be only halfdead…… the adventure continues.

I think the better term is mostly dead vs half dead according to these guys!

MPnotdead yet.png (244.63 KiB) Viewed 8130 times

[James_Lyons-WV]

It is unfortunate that Chickasha is winding down. Everyone's always welcome at Luray.

[JTT3]

I’m thinking more on the line of this.

https://youtu.be/xbE8E1ez97M?si=i24MWmJm7nhGPxWz

[RVA23T]

Got me that's it! Both are great entertainment!

[RVA23T]

Got me that's it! Both are great entertainment!

Need some MTFCA swap meet setup with the homecoming perhaps?

[JTT3]

Richard if you don’t laugh on either movie there is no hope,
“Bring out your dead” ha!

Thanks for the memories until we swap meet again!
The small 14oz, with 2 sides but more important the friendships spanning a generation or two.

[Farmer J]

For those of you looking for a central location in the United States for a pre-war swap meet, the MTFCA homecoming in Richmond, Indiana on Saturday, June 1 has an ever expanding pre-war swap meet. It’s one day only and has been going on since the beginning of homecoming. As an added bonus, you get free admission to the museum and you can listen to the seminars that we have. Plus we have ice cream and food available on site. Call the MTFCA Business # office and get registered for the swap meet

[dobro1956]

I would love to see a bigger swap meet at homecoming. But a one day swap meet is not feasible for most vendors. 2 day minimum and 2-1/2 days is better. The 1/2 day allows for enough setup time to not wear a vendor out.

[ivaldes1]

I wish I could have gone but this year I had Spring Break child possession, so we went skiing at Angelfire NM and I was forbidden both by my children and wife to go to Chickasha lest I buy a Roadster. Next year I do not have possession so hopefully I can go.

[dykker5502]

Another fond memory from Chikasha 2010 14 years ago when the "Chikasha Pizza party" was still around.

And a lot of friends which are no longer with us. Bruce W. McCalley for example can be seen in the back of the room (he was one of the sponsors of the Pizzas, Ron "The Coilman" Patterson and John "Fun Prjects" Regan others.)

[tiredfarmer]

My first time at Chickasha was 2010 where I first my future love Lizzy a 1926 Touring. My son David went with me and I told him this could be a yearly event for me and it was. We looked at all the old parts then we went into the north building and I was surprised at all the new parts, you would have thought that Ford was still making parts. It's sad that we here in the real middle of the US will not have a pre war swap meet. I hope that someone would have a meet at Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or even at our town Enid. The other swap meetings are to far for some of us that don't like travelling that far.

[dobro1956]

I have been going to Chickasha since year#2. I missed the first year, year#2 was as a buyer only. I became a vendor at year#3. Have been a vendor every year since then, except Covid year that they did not have the swap meet. But the trailer was loaded to go. Anytime before year 2000 was a sight to behold. There was not a square inch of dirt or floor in the buildings that did not have someone on it with parts. Lots of folks had tables that were 2 tables high to make more room on the limited real estate they had. There were even a few vendors inside the buildings that had tables that were 3 tables high. It was almost impossible to even get a space if you did not already have one the year before. I will really miss this event. As it was more of a social event to us than just a place to sell things. One of my better memories was the discussions I had with Bruce McCalley about non starter Ts and steel felloe non demountable wheels. I had a car with both of those features back then. Every year for many years Bruce always came by to visit and we would compare notes and thoughts on the subject. This year my wife and I were the last ones that still had our parts out for sale. We left our parts out till about 3:00 PM as there were a few folks still wandering thu to chat and we even sold some stuff. About 3:30- ish the last outside vendor came in to visit a few minutes before they left. We have know each other for what seems like forever. While we were standing by the trailer he saw and bought a early 1926 T accessory headlight bar from us. I did not think of it till a little later but that was the very last purchase and the very last sale ever to be made at the Chickasha Swap meet. We finished loading about 4:30PM. When we drove out the door and I shut the last open door, it was a sad moment to think that my wife Kathy and myself were actually closing the door to the Chickasha Swap Meet. We circled the swap meet area and there was no one left but us and the Erslands cars. We were the very last vendors to leave the swap meet. I'll try to post my photos in the next couple days.

[CatGuy]

I wish there was a Swap Meet like this in Iowa. We have one in Greenfield, but it's just not very good anymore and nothing really old. Lots of knick-knack stuff. I wonder if everything is just changing. I just do my shopping online or on Facebook Marketplace. I would rather do in-person buying, but it's not available to me.

[Stephen1915]

While the turnout was disappointing, I was still able to get some choice NOS parts for my Coupelet, from Donnie Brown and his wonderful wife! Really enjoyed talking with them. They were, in my opinion, selling the best parts there, along with a Gentleman named Bill. You could’ve walked through the entire swapmeet in 20 minutes.

Looking at attending Luray, have been hearing good things about it.

[dobro1956]

Stephen, We were glad to get to visit with you. We need new younger T owners like you that have a passion for the Ts.