Featured Event Coverage Portland Swap Meet 2025

Whose going to the Portland swap meets? My friend Tom and I will be in space 5046 at PIR. I think that is the SE corner on the inside curve. Can't wait for the rain and the goose poop and all the miles of walking!

See ya there!

Dave

 

Ill be up at the EXPO center in hall E on a corner of the isle that goes between all the halls, just a little bit South of the mid point of the hall. Got quite a lot of stuff to try and sell. Either my grandfather or I will be in the booth.

 

My buddy and I leave Wednesday I can't wait

 

This is the first time in a long time, that I wont be going to the Portland swap-meet sad to say!
Some family issues here, dictate that its best that I stay here.

So I thought I would post this little friendly warning, and a bit of encouragement for those, that its their first time to attend, and a reminder to those that know the score of how it goes at the swap-meet out at the racetrack!

Hope you all find good treasures as you walk a lot !

"Money has no real value, unless its spent"

Thanks from Dennis.

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I'll be there at opening day Thursday as usual. Haven't decided if I'll do Expo or not on Friday. Skipped it last year and my feet and knees thanked me! I ride a bicycle and pull a 4 wheel cart at PIR for the last few years, which really improved the way I felt by day's end at PIR, but no bicycles at Expo.

 

Yup we will be there, at spaces 6547-8 &6533-4 with "ALL TARIFFS LIFTED ON OUR PRICES" for the swapmeet. We have all kinds of good stuff to include those much sought after 1957 Plymouth "cone" hubcaps that fit 14 or 15" wheels! And of course other HAMB friendly other stuff.
Hey 41GMC K-18 glad you like my "lady sign"...with the message from your wife about '"buy anything you want"!

 

I had the bright idea many years ago to take my newly built scooter to the PIR Swap Meet for transportation.
My note to self should have read "switch legs once in a while", man, after nearly two miles of that I could hardly walk, not to mention that I didn't consider what I'd do if I found something to buy.

 

Walked the 5 miles two years ago and never again. Last year bought a used 3 wheel bicycle and with a basket on the back and it worked out great.( no pictures because of the large wire wheels and skinny tires). Now if they could just slow down few of the golf carts and 4 wheelers that think they're on the freeway.

 

Hey @1946caddy
I totally understand the element of the 3 wheel tricycle. I was looking at one at the end of the year last year, a nice one for about $246.00 fold-able with a big seat and big basket in back and one up front as well.
Since plans changed this year, glad I didn't try to buy one this year, the prices via the tariffs, have put that same bike up to the $600.00 range.
Not worth it to me, for a unit that I will only use once a year for Portland. Maybe next year I will look for a used one.

 

I looked at 3 wheel bicycles also, but they'd take up all of the back of my '69 Suburban, and then where to put parts? The bike sits on one side in back, and my 4 wheel cart is collapsible and can fit about anywhere inside. Only drawback with the bicycle is constantly putting the kickstand down and up whenever I stop.

 

Have never been to this, my question is: can you ride a small trail bike (Honda 90) or an electric bike?

 

Hey @MCjim
There are two different swap-meets going on, one is on the PIR race track which is located next to the EXPO. You cant have any bicycles or golf carts up at the EXPO grounds, but on the race track we used to ride our bikes and our golf carts, maybe some one can chime in if the rules have changed this year, about the golf carts or trail bikes on the race track.

 

Only thing allowed at EXPO is like the mobility scooters, or a medical push scooter (for like a lower leg cast) Other wise you are hoofing it around the grounds.

 

These pictures really don't give the full over all picture of the size of the race track, but these will give the first year rookies, a glimpse of the Portland Swap-meet.

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That arial of the Expo is quite the old one. E and D hall are not built like they are now and the middle building is long gone. D hall is whats there now. Neat photo though of the old days of the swap meet.

 

Yep, the photos are from a web search on the Internet, but that aerial shot is still a cool photo!

 

The racetrack is just under 2 miles around, so it has a very large number of stalls.

 

Yup, the only problem PIR is that you have to constantly dodge the bicycles, scooters & golf carts...

 

We use a golf kart. No worries about it going too fast!

Dave

 

My dad and I went for several years, but haven't been in a while. I can't make it this year, but I'm going to try for the Monro swap.

 

I'm taking a hiatus from selling this year, but I plan to be at PIR at opening on Thursday to do some treasure hunting.
I hate to say anything, but the weather looks favorable all weekend. What's that about?

 

Absolutely no motorcycles, or two wheeled motorized vehicles at all allowed at either venue. Golf carts and handicapped scooters allowed at PIR, but only handicapped scooters at Expo. The racetrack at PIR is 2 miles long, but with multiple rows of spaces, and side roads it's about 5 miles minimum walking the racetrack at PIR.
I take a bicycle and ride PIR, stopping at anything that looks like it's worth looking over.
I saw the forecast change to Bill, and looks pretty decent for Thu. at PIR, and even better for Friday-Sun. too! Gonna get lucky again this year!

 

I remember when I was there last year, I didn't see any body on mopeds or dirt bikes or motorized two wheeled vehicles riding around on the race track, golf carts yes, but as you stated, no more of the motorcycles, which does make it a bit less clogged up and sure a lot less to dodge on the race track.

 

You guys had to say that about the weather huh?! Probably jinxed it! But then what is the Portland swap without liquid sunshine? LOL

Dave

 

My high school pal was on the PSM committee for many years, the story I recall was someone with a motorized ? hit a swap meet attendee injuring him and there was a lawsuit, putting an end to what had been allowed for years.

 

Do you think my dune buggy will qualify as a handicap scooter? My feet started aching right after I posted my response.

 

I took Friday off work - my friend Corey drives up from Eugene and we meet at the racetrack, walking both the track and the Expo. Been doing that for almost 20yrs now. The last several years we've done 11-13 miles walking both events. It's my favorite time of year. Last year I bought what I believed to be (and was told) a stock capacity 32 fuel tank, only to get it home and compare it to my crusty original and realize it was a 15gal.... That was a real treat lugging that thing around, only for it to be immediately resold!!!

 

Tim
I've heard people say those tanks resemble a full diaper!

 

I had the car out to inspect it with the new tank- first words out of my mouth were: yep, full diaper…. I then had to explain to my girlfriend what I was referring to, at which point she agreed. I thought MAYBE I could paint below the weld seam a satin black to hide it, but ultimately decided to send it down the road.

 

Ill be there friday, Ill come see ya!