Lol - I figured I'd put this up here so that people who've never been to the show before can feel a little more at ease when they get in.
The best gate for the E-bodies to enter is the K-street gate off of Route 34 - Carlisle Spring Rd. From that gate, drive straight into the grounds (don't turn right.) You'll come to a four-way stop - there's usually someone there to answer questions if people get lost - and continue straight. As soon as the road starts to curve right, LOOK right and you should see E-bodies lining up. Our tent is USUALLY south of the four-way intersection, meaning that you'll actually have driven past it. (The four-way is usually blocked off, so you can't turn right at it.)
The tent is for any members of CC.C and their guests/friends to hang out, catch some shade, and socialize. Special thanks to Dave - 4Cruzn - for reserving the tent for us again this year. I plan on having a "tips" jar out - please contribute a few dollars to help out. It's nearly $200 to reserve the tent, not including show registration.
On Thursday a lot of people show up at the hotel. In the past they usually hang around until 8:30 or so for people to show up and then walk over to Doc Hollidays - a steakhouse restaurant right next to the hotel. Food is good, prices are marginal.
There is also a "preshow" event that usually takes place near Carlisle. I'll be honest - I don't know much about it and I've never gone. I believe it is primarily drag racing at a local track. Your best bet is to contact Jackie - "DoNotChallengeHer" for information. Personally I like to see the cars at the show, and choose to hang out with "the guys" at the hotel.
Friday you can try your best to beat MEK to the fairgrounds - good luck though. You have to park in this tiny gravel lot at the aforementioned gate to get your registration documents, and then loop around to get into the grounds. It's the worse part of the show, but it's usually pretty painless and the lines move very fast. I'm just glad to be doing it with a SMALLER car this year! Your packet will give you a schedule for events during the show - there's always a lot to do.
Friday I BELIEVE that 4C is providing lunch - usually "red hots" (hot dogs for those of you with non-Detroit vernacular!) Please - again, try to pitch in a few bucks to help out. BYOB is always a good plan at Carlisle, and alcohol - believe it or not - IS ALLOWED on the grounds. Please drink responsibly...
Friday night the club typically meets back at the hotel, and usually around 8'ish we order a slew of pizzas. Cost is typically $8 a person, and you won't go to bed hungry. We usually sit around telling great stories drinking be.......verages (beer is allowed in the parking lot - we've never been disturbed as the lot sits in back and is always wide open.)
Saturday is the big day - plan to arrive early to get good spots. For lunch on Saturday yours-truly will be providing sausage with peppers and onions on buns. I'm inviting anyone to bring a side dish - a potato or macaroni salad would be perfect. I can direct you to a handful of grocery stores near the hotel or along the way if you want to get something "homemade." (lol) Again, small donations are welcome.
Saturday evening at the fairgrounds is typically the bikini and burnout shows. Some usually wish to stick around for this, though some prefer to go to the hotel (or for some of us, home!) and shower up before dinner. Last year the club met at "Your Place" Restaurant and Bar in Mechanicsburg where we had a private patio with a GIGANTIC back parking lot, all to ourselves. Prices are downright cheap, the food is awesome, the drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is laid-back but often very quiet. We can probably choose to dine indoors if we'd like this year, though I don't think anyone was uncomfortable outside as the sun was already down and the temperatures were comfortable. After dinner the few late-owls of the group rejoin at the hotel for more of those beverages and stories.
Sunday most people leave for their long trips home. I can tell you from personal experience that Sunday just isn't fun after the enjoyment of the previous two days. The car class "areas" are typically ignored and Vipers can be found boxed in by Dakotas. The tent is usually confiscated by whomever shows up first. It is however a good day for some last minute deals (at least that's what they say - I've never had such luck.)
As for the show itself, definitely plan to bring a comfortable lounge chair. You can leave it at the tent during the day as there is always someone around. You'll probably want to put your stuff back in the car overnight however, just to be safe. If you have refrigerated goods that you need to keep cold or frozen, I can keep stuff cold at my apartment in town.
In the past I've brought things like magazines, books, even portable gaming devices, only to find that I never even take them out of my bag. There's always a group of members heading out to look at cars, browse the swaps, etc - so there's always someone to tag along with. Last year the hot topic was "the color blue..." I wonder what it'll be this year.
So unless you're horribly anti-social, don't think you'll be sitting around with nothing to do.
Do however bring some MONEY. Food is available at the show - in fact they have a HUGE dining area. I've never eaten there, but you can expect "State Fair" pricing. You'll also find tons of little tickets placed (carefully) in your cars - they're from vendors who have photographed your car and will sell you the picture along with a wal-mart frame for only a PARTIALLY ridiculous price. Gotta say though - they seem to get good photos. They snap them early before the cars get too boxed in - another advantage of arriving early. Plus of course the swaps, which usually come with a hefty "Carlisle Tax." Deals CAN be found, but it's touch and go at best. Also be careful who you buy your parts from - your vendor could get arrested right before your eyes!!!
Bring LOTS of beverages, and don't skimp on the water - safety first, folks.
And whatever you do, plan to have the absolute time-of-your-life. 4C, MEK and myself are big jokesters - we like to have a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. Some could say it's contagious.
Sorry for making this so long, but after just ONE year at Carlisle I was completely hooked - it's Christmas in July, folks. I just want to share it with as many people as I can.
See you at the show!!!
Jeff - a.k.a. "Twenty Minutes"
(I live in Mechanicsburg - 20 minutes away...)
