This is the first year in the last 6 that i didnt go .I feel much better that i decided not to .Its a shame cuz its about 4 miles from my house and i had nothing better to do.I heard it was beyond gay this year as far as attendence goes...
didn't go, the last time I was there it was a little lame. Decided instead to go to LaGrave swapmeet.
Nope. Went to the swap in Ft Worth. Got some cool tools and learned about a 50's car club from my home town.
Kustoms are hotter than ever and if we want to continue to build the hobby we have to support the only national true "Kustom" club, Kustoms Kemps of America. Yes the numbers were down, little over 100 cars were there. Over ten of the koolest Mercs in the Midwest. One of the Mercs was built in Utah with a Gene Winfield front bumper too die for. One of the Koolest bumpers on Merc that I've ever seen. I don't know how it was done but I'm trying to find out. Sorry didn't take any pictures because I was too busy talking to everyone. Had the opportunity to talk to Gary Howard and he gave me some pointers on the Hub caps that I want to run on my Merc. Gary drove up in Vaughn's 54 Ford. Had a great time hang'n out with my Arkie friends & family. I wish I could tell a story like Duke can. Laughing about his trip to the show is yet another kool chapter in his adventures. Was introduced to Sal Salvador he has a website called Space Rods that is way too kool. Got to listen in the conversation between Elden ***us, Gary Meyers and Sal. The creative minds were going krazy. Sal is a great guy and very gifted. If you get the chance checkout his website. www.spacerods.com The Kustom knowledge at a KKOA show is priceless. I'm into Kustoms not because its a trend but because it is kool. Like it or not we have a lot to be thankful for KKOA because if it wasn't for them I would not have been in to Kustoms. You all missed a great show and I cannot wait until next year. Man, that front bumper was kick *** kool!! wish you could have seen it.. Happy Trails, Mick
I agree with the Mick also. I wish I had been able to attend that show also. We do need to support the KKOA as much as possible. I would love to see some pictures if anybody took any.....
I had to work Sat. or I would have been there.I went out on Sunday and there were only about 20 cars.I got to see the Gary Howard/ Jimmie Vaughn car up close without a bunch of people around which made it worth going.I agree with Micky and this show could be a great show again. Maybe let ***us know your opinions on what YOU think would improve this show instead of *****ing about how lame or gay it is.I don't want to see this show go away.It's here in my home town and it's fun to see the cars driving around town.Alot of my extended hot rod family comes in for this show and this is the only time I get to see them. Great cars are a give in but another important part of a show is the great people.You always find that at this show!!! Back when this show was at it's peak a big part of it was the people that were coming in for it!!
I was there all day Saturday with the shoebox. Attendance was off from years past but it was worth the trip.
Mick, why do you suppose the event in Salina, KS draws 600-700 cars and the one in Denison so few?? I am seriously thinking about the Salina event in July for myself and Big Olds.
Do it! You will not be let down. Maybe you should plan on going, but don't tell anyone... and crash the party. Haha... too cool. Malcolm
I stuck with it for years.What turned me off the most is when i spent the whole day helping set up the show for ***as 2 years back( and by helping i mean putting out trash cans and cleaning ****ters) for free,and when i got done ***as offered me a T-shirt for my efforts.Not a free admission or a free lunch ,a 2 dollar T-shirt ,as he was on his way to lunch.I guess he was embaressed to be seen eating lunch with me and the few others that helped. I'm not rich by any means ,but if someone helps me for free all day do anything ,you can expect a free lunch no question and my gay company as you eat it.Ask anyone who know's me . Lunch aint much now days but its the thought that counts.Hell ,i even did a free demo on chopping a top on a 53 Ford in 1 day 3 years ago at the show( and missed the whole lame show because of it) and didnt even get a thank you or nothing from ****** . He showed me what he was all about right then. So ,**** him and his gay show...
That is a good question...... Since our group puts on a couple of shows I'm always looking at other shows to see why or why not they work. The reason that Salina works is location. It is centralized and its easy for guys to get to. Even though it is 120 degrees outside in the sun, you can beat the heat by staying in the shade. The park is filled with trees so there is no way you kan't be kool in Salina. Also the host Hotel and six others are within a 1/2 mile from the park. Great place to hang out. Every kustom legend that you can think of will be there. The Friday night Drags has been a big hit. Denison has me baffled because there is so many kool kustoms and Hot Rods in Texas I don't know why they don't support it better then they do. Even though the numbers were down, they're was some killer kustoms. One of things that bothers me is, everybody concerned with numbers. If I went to another show that had thousands of cars I would wear myself out trying to walk through all of those car to find the hundreds that I liked. Why not make it easier on yourself...... Hearing stories when Lil Coffin was a driver. Can you imagine how kool it would be too see it on a Saturday night kruzin Wichita? I thank God that I have a good imagination so I'm able to visualize it. The young guys that are into kustoms your missing the boat not attending these events. Being able to talk with Kustom legends at a KKOA event is very kool the history is priceless. Sorry Denise to babble on but I get caught up in it. History sometimes repeats itself and I want to do what I can to keep it alive. They're other National groups out there that say they like Kustoms but KKOA is the only National Club out there that knows what is a kustom and they have a p***ion for them. Next year you have to be in Salina. Happy Trails, Mick
Krap, I wish that I would have know that I would have bent your ear. Hopefuylly next time I'll ge the chance to meet ya.
I've gone twice and a few of the other guys have, also. It's not a bad drive from Omaha and I will definitely be attending next year! You are always welcome in Omaha and can count on a free place to crash (haha) for the night. The door is always open for ya! Malcolm
Let me start off by saying first that I did not attend Denison this year mainly bc the Little Rock show was better for me on a financial basis. The Denison show used to be THE show for us, second only to the Ft. Smith show. Over the years it has just faded away. Heres some of the reasons I have been givin: 1. No more local support. Seems the locals have a problem with paying the registration and not getting any return on their "investment". The spectator gate does not go over well either. 2. No change in venue. Its the same song and dance year after year. 3. Location. That park has done nothing except go downhill since KKOA started paying to lease it. They took those funds (and others im sure) and used them to turn the place into a rodeo arena. If you like dust, dirt, and potholes then this is the park to find it. 4. Too many other shows going on at the same time. I dont want anyone to think that Im attacking the KKOA, Im NOT. I happen to be the Early Model Director for South Arkansas. I have also discussed each of these issues with Jerry ***us before. I do support the KKOA for alot of the reasons Mick has mentioned. I try to stay out of car show politics as much as possible. I dont care whats going on "inside", but I care what people in attendance experience. It only takes one bad experience to keep someone from going back, and if you have enough of those then its not long before you no longer have a show. KKOA shows are about the people just as much as the cars. The Little Rock show was a great show. It was very family oriented with lots to do. The city gets behind it BIG TIME, and that is such a push. Yes there are alot of muscle cars and street rods, but they're all over the place anyway and there was certainly a large enough mix to keep everyone happy.
We had a great time Gave the the Road Demons pick trophy to a bad*** kustom 56 chevy 2dr sedan from LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA the guys name I believe was dan he's been there before in a kustom 55 chevy pickup thats been in lots of magazines. He was really cool to talk to we probably talked about customs and cars in general for a couple of hours at the show. Even with the numbers down a little it was still a cool show especially with those crazy bubble top cars there. This year I could tell who the ******** people were that made it instead of pussin out because of some ******** crybaby I don't like ***us **** I hear every year from alot of people who just don't get it. I know some people couldn't make it because of work or other problems but I understand that. Its the ones who cry because jerry bla bla ****ing bla he didn't wipe my *** right or some ****. IF it wasn't for the kkoa I wouldn't know half the people that I do now and if it wasn't for the kkoa shows and type of shows some of these now semi famous people would just be knobodys. This is still a cool show I'll be there till the end!! period even when people tell me not to go I'm still supporting it. ITs not ALL about the people who put it on its about the people you meet and make friends with while you are there. I always find something cool to buy and find great Ideas for my cars. Straykat is right about everything he's saying. There were still plenty of really cool cars there its just to bad most of them left early on sunday. We didn't give out our second trophy because the cool looking chopped shoebox ford left that we all liked. Had fun also at the bar on sat. night drinking some of the locals under the table. One of our friends even took one person home who they didn't even know just because they were to drunk to drive. Theres lots of kool stuff in denison and I'll definately be back next year. Good to see you again mick. And some of the other hambers I met. Have I stirred the pot any yet? hehe.... At least it wasn't a ****in street rod show. Yea I heard about people talking about me in LR!! I like real hotrod and custom shows. Not billet clad monster truck street rodding homo cotton candy pink trailer I got more money in my what ever 10 bazillion dollar ******** show. Maybe thats why I like pistons and paint so much plus the kkoa shows. Hmmm. sorry for the rant I just got a little tweaked. Not trying to target anyone individually I just get tired of hearing the same old *****ing every year. And I did take pictures this year I just have to get them developed since I forgot the digital camera. One more thing I'm not necessarilly taking up for jerry just the show jerry even kind of pissed me off at the show thanking the ****ing keepers for all they're help and I didn't see any of them there. If they were they must of been hiding. Rick and lori from our club did quite a bit for the show and he never said a word about that. And that kinda tweaked me a little even if I wasn't in the same club as they were. It was kool talking to the kustom kings while I was there also, theres just sooo many cool people I like to talk to at that show. Damn I'm gonna shut up now. sorry.
Hey Don, I need to work harder, your out typing me now...... I thought I was the only one that had the problem. Thanks fot letting me hang out with ya guys. Tell the Fam Hey for me, Happy Trails, Mick Did Duke make it home OK?? He can tell a story better than Jerry Clower... I wish I recorded his bike stories that they were telling Friday night.
I was looking forward to going, but lost reverse at the good guys show.Trying to make pistons and paint, as I pre regestered.
Cars ****!!! Mine is in the shop and will not be out until next spring so I can feel your pain brother. Good luck getting back on the road. I gotta get down there for that show...This year maybe, 100% next year
I stand by what i say kustomd,and i dont care who likes it.Where were you and your ********ness at the Hamb drags or the DOTD this year?The guy's that put on these events know how to keep people coming back year after year.The point is these guys are more interested in having fun than making a buck . I dont mind paying my entree fees like everyone else or giving to charity to help less fortunate like at Jamie fest ,but i will be damned if i am gunna pay a cent to enter a show like Loy Lake to line some highrollers pockets just to fit in .I was driving Hotrods daily long before the LoyLake show was even an idea .I dont target anyone either ( one of your members Don Harvey has been a good friend of mine for the last 11 years) .My problem is i just speak my mind too much ,and i have a scar across my forehead from a 40 oz.beer bottle to prove it , and i still didnt learn to go along to get along .I am not the only one in these parts that feels this way ,i am just the only one who doesnt mind ruffling feathers to say it...
Great, that's one more weekend next year I know we're going to have the opportunity to hang out together at. Stick my name on your guest room door for an overnight stop on the way out and one night on the way back.......as long as I don't have to share with that dude that lost his cookies on your new floor Saturday night.
hey,,kustomd im sorry to say but charlie jarvis and his wife (from the keepers)are the ones who brought this show to denison in the first place.... also for 9 of the last 10 years theyve been the ones organizing the show.... mostly the keepers show up thursday and friday to help clean up the park.... so really the show is hosted by both the keepers and the kustom kings.... edit.... kustomd im just trying to correct you about the keepers thing.... i didnt want my post to sound like i was atacking you...
Thanks for reminding me Troy .I didnt mean to leave out Charlie Jarvis and his wife , another good friend of mine who would give you the shirt off his back .Your right he has done more for that show than anyone else and never got the recognition that he deserved.Funny his name never appears on any flyers or posters promoting the show.
i attended the show this weekend even took off work for it and everythang. i was a little disapointed by the lack of stuff they said was going to happen such as the mainstreet cruise and the body demonstrations and such that is a regular at the show each year. i agree that im quite worn out by the same routine every year like during the day but the cars and people are really all that matter. i think its neat how they always have the "celebrity" autographs but 20 dollars for a ****ing picture come on...that just makes you look like an ***hole and i figure its prolly some greedy ***hole behind it rather than the actual person...i would never pay for a signature..but back to the point the entree fee is ridiculous im 20 years old now and alot of my friends i always invite to come check out the show but nobody wants to pay 12 dollars or watever to get in after they are already making a killing on the outrageous entree fee. and then there is the ****ing you take on t-shirts u should get a free one for showing up. even though the show was pretty much dead this year and i feel like its probably going to be the last the cars were neat. i mean there were some of the usuals. even though i have been targeted for my selection of cars in the past at least there wasnt the pt cruisers that the guy crawled over all weekend polishing the paint off..i really did enjoy the bubble tops tho i have always wanted something like that and i have never seen one in person which was a truely moving expierence. i wish more venders would show up like pistons and paint but i dont really think the answer is giving up on it i mean i hate the kkoa ***es as much as the next person but idk i think something should just be changed instead of just giving up.
Satan, I didn't neccesarily mean YOU lots of other people have told me the same thing you said. That is what I was refering to. Your post just reminded me of what the other people said. I never said anything about the hamb drags or whatever DOTD means? where'd that come from? what the hell is DOTD? The reason I didn't go to the hamb drags was because I was working I was driving an 18 wheeler that week so I wasn't able to take off to go theres lots of shows I would like to go to but my familly comes first then the car stuff. But since my wife likes owning and driving the cars as much as I do it makes it a little easier. S****e, I was talking about this year I know they used to be a big part of the show but I was there from fri morning to sun after noon and I never saw any of the keepers cars there and that is what I was refering to also PLus I was just talking about jerry mainly. I just noticed that for the past few years he always thanks everybody but rick and lori, then when it comes time for the show they always call asking for they're help and they always help. I've only missed one denison show out of the 10 years they've had it. & they always forget them. I know Don also I striped his model A this year at the show. I talk to him alot when I'm down at the shows there in denison. Next time I'll try not to type so much when I'm in a bad mood. Mick it was nice seein ya again the family says hi. Hope to see the merc again soon. Maybe next year I'll have the 36 closer to finished or one of my many other projects to bring. looking forward to seeing you again maybe at P&P if not I'll see you in may.
The Jalopy Journal
