Since the Charlotte autofair has went down hill to the point I will probably never go back, I'm looking for a fall get away. Most of my projects are 50's and 60's. What are the opinions as to which swap meet would be better, Hershey or fall Carlisle? Wish I could go to oth, but not enough time off of work for that, so I'll have to pick one.
^^Agree. I’ve always thought that the part you are looking for is at Hershey. The only question being; can you find it before someone else buys it.
In years past for me being from Maryland then and now Northern Virginia it was always Spring Carlisle and Fall for Hershey. But that has changed. With the gross ineptness of the AACA running Hershey ...Way too many empty spaces way to spread out, wicked stupid Golf cart restrictions for my older buddy's Hershey is not my top priority..but I will go. Fall Carlisle Rocks It's hard to get any spaces at Hershey (see ineptness) many of the older guys can get spaces at Carlisle (somehow) ...and they are cashing out
I go to both every year. Depends what you are looking for. Hershey is much bigger and also much earlier and usually rarer stuff. Prices tend to reflect that but there are deals to be had like anywhere. Carlisle is a regular swap meet, no shortage of fox body and c10 parts. A lot of guys there are there to not bring **** home, prices reflect that too. I'd do Hershey just for the experience if you've never been, but if you are looking for muscle car stuff you aren't going to find much there.
The answer is, both. You’re driving 5-6 hours to get to Carlisle, leave at the ****crack of dawn and get to Carlisle about noon on Friday. Then spend the night in a reasonably- priced hotel somewhere over toward Harrisburg- but not too close or the price goes up. Then back to Carlisle for Saturday. Plenty of ‘50’s to ‘60’s stuff there. Then you have Sunday to relax and take in the local flavor. Gettysburg, or maybe the AACA Museum. Check out the Eastern Museum of Racing in Latimore Valley if it’s open. Great place. Then Monday, head on over to Hershey for some earlybird shopping during setup day. Finally, walk your legs off on Tuesday. You will find Something to make the trip worthwhile; and you’ll be amazed at the size of it. What a great trip!
IMO, going to Carlisle on Friday afternoon is almost a waste of time. Most of the good deals are likely to be gone early in the week, and a lot of vendors are already packed up, or gone. Saturday is crowded with a lot of sightseers, not necessarily serious people. Hershey starts on Monday this year, Be there early Monday morning to find the treasures before the crowd gets there.
I go to Carlisle every non-Pandemic year, but there is less and less traditional stuff. Hershey is not what it was bunt most of that is the Hershey Corp's greed, not the AACA club. Go to both or just go to Hershey
What saps Hershey is people still ask "what weekend" and it isn't a weekend meet. Monday is vendors in, public on Tues, Wed, Thur, Friday is the last day and the car show. Tues and Wed are best sale days, Mondays are the vendors hustling each other (always fun). But if you can't find what you want there you missed it or got distracted. If you do find what you really want buy it. In spite of a few thousand spots that are active the odds of finding a "better deal" are against you. Imagine a 9 mile long swap meet, that just about covers it.
Bob, my first Hershey was 1957. And like a Timex, I just keep going, although at 82 years old I am slowing down somewhat.
Why not Carlisle on Wednesday and Hershey on Thursday? More than enough at both places to see on those days and you are home for the weekend.
Depends on what your focus is on. older ...Hershey Specific and newer parts....Carlisle...But overall walking the 14 miles(one trip thru all of it) around Hershey is still a car guys dream, IMO
Hershey is my yearly cadiovascular test; if I live through walking it in its entirety, I must be okay.
Ah the ol' fake barn find. Almost had me fooled until I realized that the current Hershey event parking p*** on the windshield had the same barn dust patina as the rest of the car!
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