I have some questions, I'd like to ask you. We are going to host a car show in Texas in 2011. This will be a first time event for me and the company I work for. The proceeds will be to benefit mentally disabled people served by our company. Anyway, since it's our first, we want to make it the best we can. What makes you want to go to a car show? What makes you want to leave? What are the best awards? (dash plaques only, award plaques, trophies, doesn't matter) What is good for the spouse/kids to do? What works? What doesn't? If you have any other tips, please let me know. Thank you very much.
make ME want to go: cheap, good cause, pre 64, easy on letting cars in/ not too strict on what cars come into the show, affordable food, not too overdone, just a fun hangout. makes me want to leave: grumpy *** people who think they rule the land cause they have a little bit of power in controlling the show. just keep it laid back and fun. having a good band that plays more than just 50s music is nice too.
Whatever music you have, don't crank it up like it's a bar on Saturday night. Even if it's music that I like, I hate having to SCREAM AT PEOPLE TO MAKE MYSELF HEARD. Also, try to get parts vendors in by offering free spots the first time out.
If you know how to put on a good party you know how to put on a good car show, good food, shade if it's really hot, well coordinated with the local PD, good music, a properly sized venue, reasonable fees, at the very least it should be pre 73. If you have any local clubs you should contact them, if you are a person who enjoys cars and people most clubs will embrace you. You also want to get your local chamber of commerce involved. A car show is really a community thing, the more people positively involved the better the event will be. Good luck.
If there is food give a choice between beef and chicken or ? Last car show I was at they had someone with a nice quality video camera going around during the entire show plus when the cars were leaving and you could buy the DVD for $10 which was nice and he was doing detail shots not just walking around. Vergil
keep it under 20 bucks, dash plaques and maybe some magazines, pre 62 traditional rods and customs (i hate going to a show and seeing high dollar street rods, muscle cars, and worst of all honda civics wtf???) good music, a few bands and a dj, beer garden, variety of food and vendors....
On-site pinstriping, or airbrushing shirts, etc. (Performance art.) Model car section is a plus. (Involves the younger ones, too!) Of lesser importance, door prizes also seem to hold interest. (Could be simple as a magazine subscription.)
In addition, make sure you are picking the right dates, avoid overlapping wherein larger shows or large swap meets in that area going on at the same time and p*** the flyers out well in advance. Make sure the music is at a reasonable level.
So far what your doing sounds awsome, but definatly put a year limit on it, makes and models should not matter, also keep it cheap like round up and you will get more people to enter and in turn have more money to donate. You dont even need to spend big money on trophies, I personally dont care about the judging, thats what the crowds are for, i dont need a trophie to tell me i have a nice car " money wasted i think" Good Luck
just like realestate LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Trophies seem to attract the wrong guys..music and food are key to keeping folks around and getting the word out is the most important factor in driving crowds. Long Beach was one of the best run shows i've attended but they missed the mark in local ads, so it was the best show no one attended.
I've been involved with car shows as an artist and a DJ. Points made here are all good ones. The biggest gripe I have is music. I have to make sure everyone can at least hear the announcer (door prizes, paging, lost keys, lost kids, lost spouses LOL), but the music does not need to be blaring. Also, I have the best fun at shows where trophies are not presented. Like Noxided said, most appreciate a good car and most don't need to be told what was the best. Each car has it's great points. Back to music...I think some people get tired of hearing the same car show set list...Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Surfaris and bands of that ilk or 50s music. Not saying it isn't great music, it is, but there is so much more great stuff out there. Deke ****erson, Pearls Mahone, Stray Cats and all kinds of rare never heard car songs. I even like throwing in a bit of Uriah Heep or some Johnny Cash or some Disco just to get a reaction. There are people of all ages and tastes. At some local cruise nights I DJ at, I have the "stuck in the 50s crowd" griping about my music when most others seem to want more. Since when is it written in stone that I can't go beyond the 50s? That's why I like places like Symco or the Hunnert Car Pile Up where the music is quite varied. Love Rockabilly music but it's a hard sell to those "50s only" types. One dude, who is a friend BTW, always gives me looks when I go "off the reservation" so to speak. "That's Not 50s music!!!" I just shrug. I have been hired by a lot of show organizers because I DON'T play the same old same old. It's there, but I mix in a bunch of other cool stuff. I am sure the age and musical taste of those on the H.A.M.B. is quite diverse. Rant over!
Lordairgtar, you are spot on about the music. If there were more DJ's like you I'd be interested in attending more events.
I hate judged car shows. Door prizes are good as well as dash plaques. Also I am one of those guys that does not need to have my ears blasted off by the speaker system, we have left restaurants when the music is too loud. Does it need to be an all day affair? We typically don't get to most shows until noon as most shows only take a couple of hours to see everything. Good luck with your show. Did I say I hate judged shows?
you should have done an intro first.. and if you did s search you would have gotten your answer... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=499626 . .
First off , make sure you don't have your show the same time as another car show with in a certain distance of yours epically the bigger ones that everyone goes to ! People go to the same car shows every year usually and plan their next years show schedule that way but alway enjoy a new smaller local show anytime . I always enjoy the simple , easy going car shows . The kind you can actually talk with people . I hate the shows that are full of trailer queens because they are snobs ! DON'T have it an open show for all cars or you will have a lot of tuner people and their loud *** stereos showing up . That will piss off anyone that has a traditional or kustom car and don't expect them to stay around to the end or ever come back again . Car plaques are always nice to hand out to the first 100 or 200 cars . A local trophy dealer will be glad to give them to you for free as long as they can have a logo and adverti*****t of their business someplace at the trophy table . Get a local business to sponsor a trophy for whatever you want to give one away for . Also make it a peoples choice awards . Good music is a must along with some vendor selling burgers , hot dogs , fries , good food , ice cream and some cold refreshments is a must in the heat . Make sure you have clean restrooms public , especially for the ladies and children or they will never come back ! If you have a simple small contest for the children to compete or have fun in so they all win something , that will bring the families out ! What ever you do , just make the rules very simple and make sure you keep the dumb *** drunks out of the show or make them leave at the first sign of any problems . To keep the neighbors and businesses very happy , make sure the area is kept very clean and people respect the roads , gr*** or where ever you have the show cars on display . Charge more than $10 to show a car and you will have a low entry . Also make sure other car shows people hand out flyer's to their shows too and make sure you hand out flyer's to your car show at different shows before yours . Just remember to advertise the show very well , like the local papers , radio , flyer's in food markets , local speed shops , car washes and place ads in the local paper too . 50/50 raffles always make people happy through out the day because someone will get 1/2 the money taken in . Get some local oil lube places , car washes , speed shops , food store and any other place of business in your town to try and sponsor the car show with give a ways and things like that , then have the people showing their cars a way to win the products that the businesses give you . Just remember the car people is what draws the people to the show so treat them right and they will come back next year ! Some times you can get permission to hold the show in a parking lot of a big shopping mall or some place like that . It will also draw more business to the mall shops too . Hope this helps some and have a great show ! Good Luck ! Retro Jim
The HAMB Gods will be on you for no intro but before it gets nuts let me say if it's a small show then jump on it. If you want something big. Say from 200 to 800 cars then look into having a local car club do it. You can find local clubs that will put it on for you. If the first club says no then ask them to refer you to someone that will. Doing a car show and not being a gearhead is like having a plumber doing a heart byp***. It just doesn't work.
I agree, I'm not a big fan of judged car shows BUT if you insist on giving out awards, a good idea that I like is making them creative...like pinstriped pistons, etc... Try and make the show affordable for people and I think having something for kids is great (I have 2 and its so much easier if there is something besides cars to keep my kids occupied). Even cheap games are great, like ring toss (some 2 litre bottles and plastic rings are all you need). Music that is way too loud definitley annoys people. Personally, I don't like muscle cars....but there are alot of them and if you are doing a fundraiser...well they have money too I guess. Hmmm, creative awards, stuff for the kids, no annoying deafening music, reasonable prices to get in and on food......that's all I got. OH...what about an art show too!!!! Got to love lowbrow art!!!!
Search this forum for shows that everyone, even from out-of-town, attend. Primer Nationals always has a good turnout. Mooneyes Xmas Show is the "bomb". Billet Proof shows around the country. Attend a couple of the shows to absorb the vibe and you'll know what works. My must-go-to shows are pre '65 shows........
Good stuff: -Door prizes are a plus. -Offer a 50/50 pot. -Music is good, but keep the volume so that people can hold a stinkin' conversation! Keep the music varied, as mentioned before -Pre-1980, as a MINIMUM! I personally like later cars than '64, also, but figure what your target group is and go for that. -Games for the participants that involve their car, such as "slow drags" and the like -Have the show at a venue that has other attractions, such as a park with a playground for the kids, a swimming pool, or a volleyball pit - any of a number of things! Bad stuff: -Judging - I don't pay to enter a car show, then walk around and judge cars for the people putting it on! No judging is preferred to me. -Trophies; they are a waste of money! If trophies are a must, then offer up some creative homemade trophies made from car parts or something like that! -Loud, obnoxious music from any era. -Any show that involves just parking the car and watching the gr*** grow, gets boring real quick! Have activities and games planned for everyone!
It was said earlier, try and partner with a local club who has done a show before. Our club has a show every year and it takes a lot of planning, so it's good you started planning right now. Music, we keep it simple, DJ sound system hooked up to your iPod. Trophies are sponsored by local businesses, $50 a trophy, their name gets mentioned A LOT and their name is on every flyer we p*** out. Food is handled by the restaurant whose parking lot is used for the show. Hand out as many flyers as possible, you need people to know your show is happening. Door prizes, hand out a BUNCH. We get stuff from sponsors and actually spent some extra money to get good giveaway stuff. When you come in you get a ticket and we draw numbers all day. There's lots more and every show is different but these seem to be things that have worked for us, in our area. Lots of good ideas posted here... A lot of ideas for our show have come from the older fellas in our club who have been going to shows for 40+ years. Just going to lots of shows helps you pick up what works and what does not. Good luck, I'd be there if you were a little closer to home!
I like pre-74 year cut off or so. trust me, when I was in high school I had a 73 Nova, I (and about 10 other dudes i knew just myself) HATED the pre 63' shows. Dont get me wrong, I love the criteria of cars at a pre 63 show. But you SERIOUSLY cut out a good chunk of the car world by doing that (Its not always about you). Not many young guys can afford to drive a "real" rod to school. And dont take yourself too seriously. Have fun
My personal hate is paying to park my car so the public can pay to look at it. We have a local cruise night where they charge $5 to drive in and park and $2 for the public to walk in and look, and they wonder why the rodders dont turn up to support it!
IMO, If you put a limit on the car year, you will eliminate the late model Corvette & Mustang bunch along with some of the younger folks. If you are charging an entry fee you need those people but you will run off some of the older " I don't need a trophie people". If proceeds go to a good cause, entry fee is real reasonable, admission fee is voluntary, and there are optional ways to raise money for the charity, you may have a good show.
Looks like everybody has some of the same points, I agree with everybody on the loud music that piss' me off when I have to yell to talk. I don't like paying $5.00 for a cold hot dog or $7.00 for a grease filled hamburger, if you can controll the food cost it will be a plus to your show and everybody there. Awards I don't need them but a lot of the car guys go just to win dust collecters. And last always have some thing for the women, some door prizes that are not car stuff. Good luck and keep us up to date on the turn out and how the went, if I was closer I come out and support you, one more thing make sure your flyers are easy to read, dates, time, place, contact number and don't make them look like a first grader done them.
I think all of these posts should give you some direction. One other thing a small local car show had was a couple games for the kids. Something like a ring toss. You paid a couple bucks that goes to charity, and you win a prize. They had hats, small tools, whatever local business' would donate. Good to keep the kids entertained!
if you're putting on a show to raise money for the disabled, make it a family event. the thing that brings people in is admission fee, trophies, enough cl***es for everybody, good DJ or tunes, cheap foodbooze and a playground for families and kids. if you can get away with admission fee, more people will come and perhaps buy more food and drink.
Call it a CHARITY Car Show. Remind everybody during the day that you appreciate them coming, helping you with your charity event. Most people enjoy giving more when it's a choice. Make a low entry fee possible by having other ways to contribute to the charity; straight donation stations, raffles, etc. Welcome all comers. Just keep it laid back and fun. Let people park where they want to. Eliminate bottleneck at entrance, wave them in, let them park, sign them up and collect entry fee after they have parked. Artificial rules are distractions. Any activity within the law at a public event should be acceptable. If you want to provide music, have it in a secluded area where it doesn't dominate the event. Most people at car shows don't want to hear music, it distracts from normal conversation. Those that do, play their own anyhow. What irritates me the most at a charity event are those people that think the only kind of cars is the ones they like and others should be banned.
A good friend of mine, JohnB wrote this. I will post the link for anyone that wants to see it. This pretty much says it all about what you need to do. Very well written if I say so myself. http://www.cartercountycruisers.com/forums/index.php?topic=315.0
The more you can get sponsered the better. Perhaps someone might pony up for t-shirts or a trophy. Then you have more money for the cause and something to give the particapants. Check out the Jalopyrama threads, the cost was $12 per person/car. No free shirt, but did get a goodie bag. LOTS of great looking cars! So you don't need a lot to get people to come if the price is right. If you want to judge the cars, try this. One vote, one dollar. That way you can raise a little extra dough and keep entry/spectator fees low. If someone MUST have a trophy, he can buy it himself!
Ah, the perfect car show... Hold it in a park like setting, lots of trees and shade if possible. Nothing worse than a show in a large, paved parking lot in the heat of the afternoon with one half-dead sapling per end-of-the-row island (fire ants optional). If you can't avoid that, hold the show at night. And get the fire ants under control before the show starts, please. NO entry fee. Some us get tired of "paying" for the show that we put on by bringing our cars. Remember, if I don't come in my rod, you don't have a show. If you are having a show to raise money for a good cause then do some poker run or 50/50 events. I don't need a goodie bag either. But if I have to pay to get in the show, I EXPECT a really ****ing fat goodie bag. At the recent Garlits show we got a ball point pen and two flyers in a Summit bag. ****. 20 bucks. ****. I also expect to get a lot for my entry fee, a lot of nice cars, vendors, etc. That's why I don't mind so much entering NSRA or Goodguys or other big events. Hold the show at a place that has a chance to draw some walk-in spectators who might also contribute to the cause. How boring is a 20 dollar car show where the only spectators are the other 20 dollar entry owners looking at each other's "20 dollar" cars? Church lots, your chosen charity's place, museums, old-town districts, a big mall, big park, a "famous" diner or resturant's lot? If at night, please try to have the local merchants open for business, too, especially resturants. All I need is some background music to set the mood. Please keep the announcements to a minimum. No boom boxes or dueling stereo contests from the entrants, either. No games. Ok, one game. I really dislike car shows, races, ball games, etc. that get all ****ped up with T-shirt shooters, dizzy bat contests, valve cover races, etc. Select ONE event, advertise it well in your flyer and give a trophy to the winner. My choice would be soap box derby style, down hill Hot wheels size drag racing diecasts. Everyone has them and you can carry your entry in your pocket. The promoter only has to arrange for the track and some worker-bees. Only four trophies... people's choice for best of show and 1-2-3 for the "game." Pick a day that doesn't conflict with other shows, especially other shows that have been running for a few years. No sense ******* off potential entrants. Keep it short, 4-5 hours max. The show that starts registration at 8AM and then hands out awards at 3:30PM is a long, sun burnt drag. I avoid them like the plague. I much prefer the Saturday night show that starts at about 4PM.... Gary
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