Spring is right around the corner, I got my Madison Classics flyer in the mail today. Spring Jefferson is April 25-26, 2025(Fri, Sat) Garys Hot Rod Reunion show is June 21, 2025 (sat.) at Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove, Wi. Fall Jefferson is Sep. 26-27, 2025 (Fri, Sat)
Just loaded the little red wagon and a hand dolly in in the van and will be going tomorrow . The weather is not looking good but Ill give it a try . It only takes that one part or item that makes it worth walking all day . wish it opened earlier as the 8:00 start time sucks on Friday.
Rain during Spring Jefferson s about as traditional as it gets. Looks like it's going to clear up this afternoon.
Didn't do real good this year kind of dud this time an more of the same junk and less cool stuff than ever . brought a few dod dads but nothing I could have not just ordered this time around . Prices are higher than ever . Cold and a light rain had every one covering stuff around noon or so . Then it was raining at 3:00 when I left . Lot of people on them stupid rental scooters in the way .
I just got home. Wasn't my best but wasn't my worst. Thursday's weather for setup was perfect. We can only dream of that for 3 straight days. Came home with a lighter payload and a heavier wallet as well as picked up the glass for my '55 Chevy. All in all, great weekend.
Good day, picked up 4 tires and two air cleaner assemblies for my project. Ate lunch with two gentleman that I met while ordering a brat. Talked about cars and project for about an hour - nice guys, we had few laughs and and then back pounding the isles looking for treasures. I did see few good deals. Yes swap meets aren’t what they used to be the old parts inventory is shrinking? Still a damn good way to spend an afternoon. Dan
It would be nice if they didn't change the parking arrangements and were you go in every time. Got there at 7:15 to the same lot as last fall was told there only letting vendors in go to the lot on the south side untill 8:00. Turn around go there and there not letting people into that lot and to join the line of cars on the side street . Get in that line and they start letting cars in from were I just came from . Gate 10 to the swap was open at about 7:30 not 8:00. Every time it's some differant BS there. One year we were parked on the west side street for two hours. I bought 57 Corvette seats on the street that day. I also noted a lot of vendors still trying to drive in through the crowd and set very late having trouble getting by people on rental scooters
Weather was perfect today--overcast, breezy, temps in the upper 40s, and I got a good workout carrying my purchases back to my car.
Maybe a Friday vs. Saturday thing, but I saw maybe five mobility scooters during the four hours I walked the grounds. Yes, the usual non-automotive stuff was present, but I've learned to take a quick glance and keep moving if there doesn't appear to be anything truly vintage nor automotive which catches my eye. I went on Friday last year, but I heard at least three sellers saying "make me an offer, I don't want to bring it home" or very similar. Again, maybe a case of sellers being more willing to sell for less on the last versus first day kind of thing? Not sure, but one seller offered to take less than I initially offered, so not going to complain. It's always good to walk around and look at vintage automotive stuff, even of you go home empty handed.
I noted on Fridays a lot of the people are older and many in poor health. I suspect since most people have to work Friday or have to burn vacation day ect that a lot more retired guys are there on Friday. I saw some guys in pretty bad shape that are aging out of this hobby that I recognized from over years Kind of made me sad and made me think I'm not getting any younger either. I have been going to Jefferson since 91 I think. I bet I had 15 of them scooters in one row I was alone. Glad they were able to get out and all that but I did note it was a lot more than years past. Last fall I gave aid to a guy who I saw pass out or have some sort of attack . I saw him fall for no reason . Wasent a heart attack but he was briefly unconscious and came to as I got to him. It was on the very south west corner . About 27 years ago a guy on a mini bike knocked over my wife and kept going at Jefferson. I did catch up to him and there was a altercation . Might be part of why Gary banned mini bikes and golf carts unless he got his cut. Glad guys had good weather today.
The scooter thing is happening all over, my wife nearly got run over in Bowling green at the Wally Parks thing. I see a lot of guys bopping around on them that are able to walk. It's just less work.
At Back to the 50's you see young 20 somethings racing around on those damn scooters. Too fucking lazy to walk, so they just plug up the isles and run into people. They shouldn't rent them to people who don't have a handicapped sticker. But then the scooter rental people wouldn't make as much profit.
We didn't even walk all of it. I had to be home by 3pm, and it was the only day I could be there. I spent a whopping $5 on an old trophy with a guitar on top. It will make a good mascot on the radiator shell of my '36 Chevy P/U. No, it's not plastic. Walked by a lot of Camaro & Mustang stuff. Everything they think is old, I think is late model. Did talk to HAMBer @0NE BAD 51 MERC at his booth.
The Jalopy Journal
