I'll go up on Saturday for a few hours. Been going every year since my dad started taking me back in the mid eighties, just a father's day tradition we've had. Don't expect much. I haven't bought anything that I've actually needed, or been hunting for, in several years. There did seem to be a few more vendors last year than I've seen in awhile though, maybe this year we'll see a few more.
Petit Jean is about 800 or 900 vendors. The swap is small enough that you can see it all by 3 pm and go home and sleep in your bed. The 11th is vendor set up day but many dont show up until the next day. I have been there on set up day and it was disappointing. The vendors are few and far apart. Lots of walking, few rewards You may find something to buy but I dont think its a good day to buy. I plan to go on the 12th . The last day is generally vendors packing up and leaving so best times are 12th and 13th..
When I lived in West TN I would go nearly every year, for years. Found some great deals: 33 grille for $150, two Wico mags for banger for $40, Beverly shear for $50! Weather rolling through can be an issue. One year it stormed and actually washed away some vendors !
I’ll be there Thursday and Friday just because I can usually score some good deals those days. I remember one year I went every day and watched this A/C unit for a Mustang go from booth to booth. Started out at $50 and by Saturday I saw a guy walking around with it in his wagon bragging about getting it for $200.
My folks retired near there, so I have been. Very nice area, lot of shade trees and the museum is nice; bought a few things, but I am a picky shopper. Friendly, laid back show; but since my folks passed on have not been back...wish I could. The weather can be brutal, hot humid and hailstorms.
I'm heading up Wednesday afternoon to Waldron ARK, I know it's a long way to Morrilton from there, but I have a friend with a brand-new cabin on a 1400-acre deer lease. So I'll be driving back and forth from there.
We are at Petit Jean. The sun is out. The skies are beautiful with fluffy white clouds and it's looking good. But...pecker head may be right. Weather dot com says 99 percent chance of rain from 10 to 12
Pecker head may be disappointed. Many many long time vendors are not here. It's poorly attended this year and it's starting to rain. There are Model Ts here. Some driving around. Weak signal pictures later
Man, I hate to hear that. Sure was hoping it would pick up a bit from last year. We're still planning to come up Saturday morning, unless the weather just goes berserk.
I’m wanting to come up there tomorrow but it’s looking like it’s going to be raining and lots of it so I’ll play it by ear.
I was there Thursday, it was raining it’s ass off , atleast half of the junk was covered up with tarps, going back this morning.
pecker head, go again next year. this was the worst year I've ever seen at Petit Jean. many long time vendors didnt show up
Worst I've ever seen it as well. We were there from 9:30-11:30, and even went through the museum, which is something I haven't done in several years. I bought 1 hubcap for $5 and that was it. The only pics I took were of the Navaro Special. I guess we will hit Springfield in August and see how that goes.
The Jalopy Journal
