Event Coverage MSRA Back to the Fifties- Great Race- Who's going?

Thinking about going to the Back to the Fifties meet in St. Paul, Minn this June. Maybe also follow the Great Race as it leaves from there. Anyone have any advice as far as places to stay? Granddaughter is in Rochester so hope to see her too. Thanks Greg

 

Also, Is there a swap meet there?

 

There is a swap meet on Sunday, along with a wide variety of vendors every day.

 

BTT50's is the best car event in the upper midwest. You will not be disappointed. I go every year, since the 70's.

 

Been there every year since 1998 .Not an attendance record ,but 5 hour drive . Does that count? One of the biggest and the best and all 1964 or older vehicles.

 

The Best Western Plus St. Paul North/Shoreview Is where registration is, and there's always lots of cars there. I would assume it probably books up way in advance though. I would look for hotels in the vicinity of the Minnesota State fairgrounds, but out in the suburbs. I tend to stay out of the core of the city.

 

Look north of the fairgrounds, book early rooms fill up fast. As Joel said stay away far away from the core city also stay away from Brooklyn center and park. Shoreview and whitebear lake are good. Other places are good just ask on here.

 

320 acres, trees and 10500 car last year.

 

It's one of the best swap meets in Minnesota (the other is the Twin City Roadsters swap that's held late September / early October.) Be there at 6am sharp on Sunday to get the best deals.

 

Thanks guys, Yep looks like swap meet is on Sunday, as you said. I haven't been able to find a 2025 schedule of events yet but older years schedules had swap meet from 6 to 1 on Sunday. The Great Race I guess leaves from there on Sunday... My granddaughter is in Rochester and wife and I are thinking of staying with her and going to the meet and watching old cars leave- then go back to Rochester where 1st night stay of great race is gonna be. I probably will take our Olds which is too new for event, but was thinking of parking outside of event and walking in. Thanks for your input!

 

Well got a room for Friday and Saturday June 20-21. Looks like we're going. Still can't find much info on the departure of Great Race. Seems like all you can find about the race on line is last years race. I'm not even gonna take my Olds as it is not 64 or older. Gonna take late model and maybe small enclosed trailer- (granddaughter may want help moving back here from Rochester). Anyway, Anyone else finding more info on Great Race and Back to 50's??

 

I have some information about The Great Race because my wife and I are thinking about doing it this year. I’ll ask the wife where she put it (she’s in charge of the registration and booking hotels) so I can post it here. But apparently it ends in Lloyd’s backyard so we can all have a mini impromptu Lloydfest But I’m taking the Woody and praying for no rain during the week

 

Looks like I'll be going again this year they do crank up the room rates so be prepared for that. A lot of use from the Bismarck area have been staying at a hotel right across from the gopher stadium clean,good rates and security from the stadium.

 

It is Minnesota in June, very few years you don’t get at least 1 day during the show

 

According to the MSRA website the Great Race departs from BTT50s on Saturday and they have a basic map of the race route, but beyond that they refer to the Great Race website for additional information.

The 2025 Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire will start at the MSRA Back to the 50’s Weekend on Saturday, June 21st and make its way to Lake Murray in South Carolina on Sunday, June 29th. The 9-day, 2,300-mile adventure will bring 130 of the world’s finest antique automobiles to 17 cities in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia North Carolina and South Carolina.
https://msrabacktothe50s.com/the-great-race/

 

Thanks guys!

 

Supposed to be a lunch stop in Waterloo, IA I might check out.

Gary

 

The Back to the 50's website had been updated with the schedule of events and map, plus much more.
https://msrabacktothe50s.com/

For those on Facebook, there is more info there as well.
https://www.facebook.com/Back.to.the.50s

 

It's always a great time! I have been every year since I was 17. Good places to stay are difficult to find, we lost our reservation for the place we had last year. The current place we have booked is around $670 for 3 nights.... And that's 25 minutes from the fairgrounds.

Its worth it. I would be hard pressed to miss it.

 

We're paying about the same for Thursday-Sunday. Managed to snag a room fairly close a week or two back. Must have lucked out on a cancellation.

 

Wind and rain…tree behind my truck blew over…at Hilton parking lot

 

Here’s the GR info
https://www.greatrace.com/

 

Greatest car show in all of North America,in my opinion. Unfortunately, this will be the first one that I have not attended in over 40 years. My entire car club has decided to boycott

Yes unfortunately there have been a whole bunch of cancellations from the Canadian’s. It pains me gratefully not to be going this year but you have to make a stand at some point in your life.

 

Sorry you will not be coming, but I understand. I would do the same if I was on your side of the border.

 

For those interested, here is a link to the vendors that will be at Back to the 50's this year.

https://www.expocad.com/host/fx/MSRA/25msra/exfx.html

 

I won’t be attending this year. I also won’t be going to Canada.

 

I’ll have the ‘49 Ranchero there again this year. Hopefully not as much rain as last year. Mailing credentials this year was much appreciated.

 

Nope
Still the best show to attend but I am done with it.

 

Maybe in a few years if the climate changes…been attending since ‘85
Last night was the final nail in the coffin..