first time going- advice

[smithencrazy]

This is going to be my first time going and I will be going with the wife, my 2 boys (3 and 1), and my dad. What day is the best day to go? What is recommended to bring?

[brads70]

Bring lots of money!   as you will always find cool parts you will want! Oh I see your bringing your wife....
A cooler , lawn chairs , sunglasses, hat, sunblocker. You can leave these at the CC-com tent as someone is always around.
 

[Moparal]

Saturday is about the best day to me. It's all wide open.  Bring bottled water and umbrella .   And you may want to use a stroller for the children. There's a lot to see and do. It stretches out pretty big.

[CudaNut]

Saturdays definitely the busiest day and if you plan on covering the entire grounds in one day you better wear comfortable shoes! Here's a few pics from last year to get an idea of the size. The swap meet area is huge and can take a day by itself...

[smithencrazy]

the umbrella is a good idea. i don't have a cuda yet but i may get lucky there. lookin for a project car.

[ViperMan]

Are you only coming for one day?  Are you bringing a car to show?

In all honesty, there's no way to explore everything in Carlisle in one day - I rarely see everything and I stay there from Friday through Sunday, often!

But yeah - plan on a LOT of walking, and definitely plan on stopping by the Triple-C tent from time-to-time for shade and humorous conversation!!  And be sure to walk North to see all the VIPERS! 

[RusTy/SE]

Sunscreen

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Sunscreen

I'll bet you are still peeling Russ.   

[BB73Challenger]

Lots of water and sunscreen... (it is July)

I think it was 104 on the day my wife and I came out last year... wife was not happy about that car drive 

You can't see it all in 1 day... even 3 days is tough.
Rock crawl, engine dyno, dealer displays, swap meet, car coral, and that's not even the rows of cars, specialty tents & barns.

And all this is on top of if you are NOT going to ... have diner with the group one night, go to the drive in out there, watch the drag races or hit a local cruise!

I have never gone and not enjoyed meeting & seeing the people of this forum and flat out had a good time.

[smithencrazy]

No I unfortunantly don't have a car to bring yet. I was thinking of coming up friday night and then leave sunday afternoon. I would like to stay the whole weekend but I have to go back to work monday and I'm sure the wife and kids might struggle with staying longer if it's to hot.

[lemming303]

Are the drag races every night or just friday?

[Jesus H Chrysler]

If you're in the situation where "If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy" then I suggest a slightly different tactic (based on experience!)  In the area between the show cars and the swap meet, closer to the Beeny Motors display there is a large white tent.  This is the "Womens Oasis".  I dunno what goes on there, but it's a tent to keep the sun off your wife and kids.  Now you're free to prowl the show or swap meet without the dreaded "can we go yet?"  If your wife and kids aren't as enthusiastic about cars as you are, it may be a wise move.

[RusTy/SE]

I'll bet you are still peeling Russ.   

Vitamin E to the rescue!!

[inot2old]

Not much happens on Sunday anyway, most of the vendors start packing up before noon, and  there aren't usually many people at the club tent.  You may want to get a hotel with a pool & send the wife & kids back there (or to Hershey Park) on Saturday.

[shadango]

If you're in the situation where "If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy" then I suggest a slightly different tactic (based on experience!)  In the area between the show cars and the swap meet, closer to the Beeny Motors display there is a large white tent.  This is the "Womens Oasis".  I dunno what goes on there, but it's a tent to keep the sun off your wife and kids.  Now you're free to prowl the show or swap meet without the dreaded "can we go yet?"  If your wife and kids aren't as enthusiastic about cars as you are, it may be a wise move.

My wife checked out "The Oasis" and the play area one year and said both were pretty lame....   The kids said they were bored at the play area.....