Event Coverage It's Official - The Hawkeye Downs Swap Meet is Back!

It's been two years of effort to bring it back and then a lot of persuading to get the AACA to move their 2025 date off of the Jefferson Wisconsin date but it's now a done deal. A contract has been signed and flyers are printed. The Hawkeye Downs Swap Meet in Cedar Rapids Iowa will be on Saturday May 17th from 8 am to 2 pm. Help promote this as much as you can. The success of the spring swap meet will dictate if their will also be a fall swap meet or if the spring swap meet comes back in 2026. Here is the flyer for the 2025 Hawkeye Downs spring swap meet.

 

Just put it on my calendar and screen shotted it to two people.

 

I will for sure go and probably will sell.

 

4 months away. Make your plans, come and sell or just come to buy. See you there.

 

Model T Living Legend Dean Yoder
lives just south in Iowa City & his son
Ben Yoder (who is also in the hobby)
is a building inspector for Cedar Rapids.

Thanks for posting !

I will help spread the word …

Jim

 

Reading the flyer - it looks like
vendor set up will start at 5 am
on swap day.

The sunrise is at 5:44 that day

Will pre-registered vendor be allowed
in the fairgrounds on May 16th to set
up their spaces ?

Will there be dry camping available
on the fairgrounds and/or in the
vendor spaces ?

Thanks !

Jim

 

I need a good road trip.

 

I remember walking the line of packed trucks as they waited in the dark to enter the fairgrounds. I’m sure we bought some stuff before it was ever unloaded from the truck. Bring a flashlight.

 

Back in the ol days it was common for the sellers at Hawkeye Downs to have to wait in a long line to get in.

 

I have been known to reserve a swap space and show up early with a empty Suburban. Walk the line and have items to swap once I get in. Amazing what cash and a flashlight will get you. A dozen donuts to hand out helps as well.
Used to pay the early bird fee(double normal entry for walk ins) at motorcycle swaps be done shopping and on the way home before the gates officially opened.

 

In it's heyday I knew guys who would go down there late Friday night/early Saturday morning and sleep in their truck to be towards the front of the line to get a spot.

I really hope this one's successful.

 

Been there....done that back in the old days.....as usual you probably bought some of my stuff because I had no clue what the value was......or even what the part was ! Truly the good ole days. Hope for a great event for all of you this year

 

See you there Alan?

 

I had a 30 minute talk with John Williams
this morning - he is going to get back to
me about the number of minimum spaces
and the number of maximum inside spaces
will be available - outside spaces will be
on the asphalt track - he is going to let me
know the size and number of spaces that
will be available for outside track vending.

There is racing the night before so it looks
like no vendor set up will be allowed on
May 16th - he is checking to see if vendors
will be allowed in to dry camp so they are
onsite the afternoon/night before - doubtful
though with races that day.

He will check about parking/dry camping
nearby offsite along with time vendors have
to be packed up and off the property May 17th.

I will post here when I found out this and
other information as I receive it.

John could not stress enough
how important itis that there is a
good vendor and gate
turnout for this event.

The future of this
event and automotive swap meets
in Iowa are going to be determined
by how this event goes …

Please support it …

Jim

 

Jeff......really really hope to be there......with all my health issues, not sure how that 5am thing will work !!

 

Looking forward to attending there again.
I always find something to bring home.

 

The game is afoot …




Jim

 

trulyvintage - You will be able to set up indoors May 16th, noon-5pm. As may spaces as available at the time you want to purchase those spots, first come, first serve. Yes, there is racing Friday night so, no early set up on the track. Outside spots aren't by the spot but, by the vehicle. Read the above flyer. One price, per truck or w/trailer, use as much space as needed. (within reason) As far as camping on premises, not recommended but, sleeping in your truck for a few hours is pretty typical for swap meets.

 

Yes, it was typically March, but there may have been a few in early April. Hopefully May will help draw the crowds out.

 

I remember one swap there (not sure if it was the spring or fall) where the snow was coming down so heavy that you couldn’t see the parts on the tables.

 

Looking forward to attending this swap again.

 

Golly you guys, it wasn't that bad...

 

I thought swap meets were THE thing to do.