I know its a little early to be asking, but I was curious of who in here is going to Iola? You know, the Iola Wisconsin car show and swap meet. Wisconsin's biggest 3 day meet, so big it takes 3 days just to run through it and you most likely still wont see everything. Starts the Friday after the 4th of July. I cant wait to go, I drive all the way from Florida just to attend.
Here is a link for those of you that never heard of Iola- http://www.iolaoldcarshow.com/ Wow, they made it 4 days now.
Yea, Krooser and I aren't too far from there, He had a HAMB get together the night before, turned out pretty good.
My old man and I used to go to Iola every year. Started going when I was about 12. We'd spend three days going through the swap-meet, and never even look at a car. Then I joined the service and couldn't go. After I got out in '98 we went just to see how much things had changed. I've gone 2 or 3 times since then, but it's gotten so big. After you've gone a few times, you start to see the same guys with the same swap spots, trying to sell the same overpriced crap year after year. But don't get me wrong, even if you don't go to buy anything, it's something everyone should experience. You could go to Iola and spend all weekend just going through the swap, and not even come close to seeing everything. And that's just the swap. If you're planning on going, I highly recommend it. Just don't make plans to show up Sunday because most people are packing up to go home. Maybe we can have a HAMB get together this year. See ya there.
I've been to Iola every year since I was 12. Last year I really wanted to go to Kroozer's party but I was knee deep in a 3 day thrash to get a car together for the corral, which got there on Sunday morning and was sold and gone by 2pm. This year I'm sure I'll be in the corral again with some other old car trying to pawn it off on the unsuspecting public. I don't want to give away any of my secrets, but for the past few years, me and some friends have been coming into the swap on Sunday around noon and picking up shit that people stuffed in the trashcans after not making a sale during the week. It's cool to buy something you need for a project, but man, the lure of free shit is too powerful for me.
Been there the last 10 years or so. The parking is much to be desired. Most of the buying and selling happens on Tuesday to Thursday. You can get better stuff on e-bay. A total bunch of junk the last 5 years. Time better spent on e-bay.
This will be the first year for me going!! I hear that a lot of guys come down from The Great White North with parts. I'm looking forward to it. If there's a HAMB pre-swap party, please keep us posted. Matt
my dad and i always used to go back when he had his 64 (i think , i was REALLY young) mg. We went from when i was like 3-11 or so. I want to go this year (hopefully IN and oldschool car).
I went for the first time last year...thanks Krooser for his cookout...and had a great time. I found a lot of parts at what I thought were fair prices, but like any meet there were plenty of high prices too. We thought the FREE parking was great, and with shuttle trailers it wasn't too bad to get around. The food situation was better than most swap meets. If there is anything to bitch about it is that the grounds are huge and my feet and legs were pretty done in each day. I'll go again and maybe even try to look at the show cars. Charlie
Like any good swap meet bring cash and good shoes, great thing about IOLA is no promoter getting rich, the money earned is plowed back to the voluteer groups that work the show. See you all there old Spoke
Sweet. This year, I'm not going to miss it. I need to have my shit together ahead of time so there's no last minute scramble to the finish.
Last year I walked the entire swap meet looking for spoke rims for my 39 Ford. I found a set of 4 but didnt want to carry 160 lbs of iron around. I left it there figuring it will be still there when I got back. The damn swap meet is so big and everything starts to look alike. I searched for 2 hours and could not find the booth that had those damn rims. This year, I am dragging along a wagon. I suggest to anyone, to either bring one of those old lady shopping carts or drag a wagon. Unless there is a set of 4 nice WWW tires, then just leave them for me. Use your two way radio and call Guido to let me know where they are. hehehehehe
Yep, just sent in the $300+ dollars for three swap spaces and two car corral spaces. Squablow will probably have me haul his broken down crap to the corral again this year I don't know why I even bother with Iola. Went to Hershey last fall for the first time. That show is like 1000 times better than Iola. MUCH bigger, quality of parts was FAR better and the show is FREE for spectators. Not to mention the grounds are almost all paved and not a shitty hot dust bowl like Iola. However, it rains which kind of stinks! I will post my swap spaces when I get confirmation in April.
Me too! I try to go every year. Some years I come home empty handed, but usually score at least one or two treasures. Gotta have the chicken dinner, none better and it's cheap and fast. The best parking is to bring an old car and get right on the grounds. Somebody plan a get together. How 'bout it Double P? I'll show you my new "shop truck".
Hey man, like who cut your hair? im hoping to get over there this year... last year i hadda settle for a short visit and BS session with Rick and his Mrs. the weekend before Iola on my way over to do some emergency repair stuff to my mothers electrical in the house. . . turned out she had a burnt out light in one of them iluminated switches and wasnt going to burn the house down after all... "Mom, remember, i am 345 miles away from you now, and driving over here isnt all that time efficient" . . .
I'm sure I'll be going ......Have every year since 1983 it's changed some since then ....more people less good stuff. Last year I found this gold metal flake steering wheel and thought I'll come back for it .....got to the end of that row thought a crap I'll get it now walking back to get it I see Bob Bleed walking away with it , oh well went to a good home! Bob you dirty Dog you
Probably be better if someone a little further north has a pre-show gathering. FYI forget about cell phone use, Iola is in the middle of BFE, and the local towers are so bogged down. The 2 way radio idea is much better. Big place, easy to lose people. If you find a score, write down the swap space so you can find it again. Any of the Medford boys gonna be there?
I miss IOLA...and the camping is FUN!! I guess I will just have to remember that when I am at hershey, carlisle, englishtown, leesport, hamburg, hoedown, jalopy showdown, Cowtown, allentown, and road agents.. But it would be fun to ride the tractor to the swap.. tok
Have not missed it in 15 years.....and won't miss it... camping I-28 thru I-30 everyone is always invited for beer
we aint all blessed with our own personal acre upon acre of " just a bunch of old cars and parts...." yaknow Joe? i look at a swap as not only a chance to score treasure, but for its deeper, more zen meaning... like suckin suds leaning over a fender untill you pass out or say something enlightening such as "The suns comming up... i think we made our point" but thats just me
i didn't read all the posts but it actually starts for venders on wednesday afternoon. My Dad has had venderspots for 25 years and i've been going for 20... i'll be there tent-cooler-car parts-and sunglasses tom
I meant Medford HAMBers. Do you know what the "Wolf Wagon" is? Can't remember his name, good shit, though. Usually hang out with some of those guys at the Wizards show on Fathersday.
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