Event Coverage Portland Auto Swap Meet 2024

Yeah, I miss going. Things are dying down here. Pomona is going down hill, we have the monthly Glendale swaps but it’s the same ole stuff. May venture east and attend some of the Oklahoma swaps

 

Thank you guys for all the advice. I will start looking around today!

Adrian

 

Unless you are on the hunt for a lot of big items. one option might be to ride the tram (Portland folks will have to give the right name) to the Expo center From Vancouver or points south. You could still drive in to pick up larger stuff later in the day when getting around the expo or race track isn't quite the hassle. ..

 

I think your referring to the MAX light rail system. It doesnt cross the river into Vancouver. If you are in Vancouver you would need to take the C-Tran bus, it dumps you right off I5 and its a little bit of a walk through a homeless camp to get to the closest bus stop for the swap meets.

The MAX line runs south into downtown and then you would need to transfer lines to go east/west. I would not recommend riding it. My grandpa and I rode it last year to save a buck on parking and that was the most disgusting/sketchiest thing I have done. Homeless getting sick and drugged out on the way there and then had a confrontation with a drugged up person on the way back that would make anyone want to carry a weapon of some kind for defense. Its just better to pony up and pay the parking.

 

Spoke with a good friend whose on the swap meet committee for the Expo and he said the decision this year is to eliminate most of the outside spaces between the buildings and the light rail station. All the lower lot spaces will be moved behind the Expo buildings, and that area will be sold as "premium parking" for a couple dollars more each day.
He said last year's low attendance was not strictly because of bad weather in Southern Oregon roads, as many who canceled were not from California. This change will help reduce rental cost, or at least allow them to avoid increased costs. And will make the area behind the buildings more compacted with vendors so not all the open space out front, or in the back. The upper front area will still have cars and spaces, just not the lower front area.
I think a lot of attendees would appreciate having premium parking close to the Expo so it's easier to load, and you can go to your vehicle often, or even leave a lunch there if you want a place to rest and eat.

 

Wow, that is not much outdoor space for vendors.

 

yeah at the expo they removed the lower lots for parking. There is still the lots right in front of the buildings to that one exit road way that cuts across to that side exit with the tire spikes. Then the new "main entrance" will be in C hall, based on the paperwork they mailed us prior to us sending in our application. Basically told venders in C hall to bring warm clothes as the big doors will be open during event hours, which will also suck heat out of D and B halls. I figured something like this was bound to happen anyway since the loss of Meadows for parking.

 

well the costs of spaces up above have driven quite a few down to the track.

 

Yeah, and while at the racetrack, keep an eye out for those "Motorized and non-mtorized conveniences" if you value you life !

 

That is no shit! People moving fast, looking to their sides at the booths instead of ahead. Never been hot but some close calls. They ought to assign everyone a bumper car and turn em loose.

 

is the area around I205 and Mill Plains Blvd, located in Vancouver, Oregon an OK area. Close to the Trader Joes? Only place i can find affordable accomodations

 

That is ok. Easy access to freeway and over to expo. I used to live near there.

 

That would be Vancouver Washington.

 

Ops, yes, Washington. Sorry.

Thanks for the swift replies.

 

When I started going to the Portland swap meet 50+ years ago the lower level area at the Expo was parking.
It did make it convenient making trips back to your vehicle with parts, to rest, eat, etc.

 

This map explains the layout .
https://dlx.sitekreator.com/portlan1/2024-venue-map.pdf

 

Hello,

My wife and I stayed at this location on the Columbia River several times. For us, it was centrally located as the I-5 was right there at the big bridges and Portland was just across the roadway bridge. But, that side of the Columbia had less traffic and travelers. A great walkway for a long distance along the waterfront was always a great way for exercise and views. We wanted to sail on the Columbia River, seeing several large and small sailboats take hours trying to get up stream against the current was a defeating situation.

One of the early times we went to Portland, our goal was Vancouver, WA, just across the Columbia River. We had crossed over most of the bridges and felt the North-South direction was pretty good for a huge city in this area. The I-5 was flowing heavy, but moving. We went as far South as we wanted in the Willamette Valley to a few wineries and local restaurants.

But, after spending the whole day down there, we started to struggle with the long drive back to Vancouver, WA. As we approached the downtown area, the traffic was at a standstill. So, we took a break to get our bearings. One street looked interesting called the N. Interstate Ave.

In other cities in So Cal, there is always a side street or two going through major road blockages and heavy traffic. We did not mind side streets and we had never been on N. Interstate Ave. before. We took advantage of side road by passing all of the downtown traffic by using this street going North, parallel for the most part, the I-5 freeway and then, the Columbia River.

For some reason during the heavy rush hour traffic, this side road traffic was not heavy at all. We passed up 1000s of cars heading North to Washington and the huge I-5 bridge. But, at the last minute moves, we were able to get on the last entrance to the I-5 Freeway headed over the river. The traffic was moving but all lanes were bumper to bumper. At least, we did not have to sit in bumper to bumper traffic from down South of downtown into the city.

We went past the Portland International Raceway and the Expo Center while going back to Vancouver, WA. The view from above was pretty cool with the river and sunset. Traffic? What traffic?
view from our window..
The Hotel resort room, window view back towards Portland, over the Columbia River towards the Expo Center.

NOTE: The super fast current going out to the ocean for the day.

An old note saved:

“In 2015: Come October 31, the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay restaurant and bar, which originally opened as The Quay Restaurant & Bar in 1960, will close for the foreseeable future. The Port of Vancouver will redevelop Terminal 1, and according to The Columbian, Red Lion at the Quay is closing to make room for the development. Since its lease doesn't technically expire until December 31, 2015, the shutter comes two months early."

"Built on wooden pilings, the Red Lion at the Quay restaurant and bar overlooks the Columbia River, and the dining room has the appearance of being below decks in a galleon.”

For as long as it lasted, that Red Lion at the Quay was a fun place as a rest stop and see the local sites.

Jnaki

We liked that area with its colorful murals along the railroad tracks and the cool restaurants along the waterfront. It was a very short drive into Vancouver for more sights to see and enjoy. On the other side of the bridge and along the waterfront, the walk is about a mile+ and the restaurants are very good. The walk was fun and there were place to refresh ourselves with a nice waterfront view as we took a break.

But, sadly, that resort hotel on the waterfront was torn down and now, it is to be a large shipping container or off loading container area. So, it was a convenient place, but it is history in Vancouver.

The other side of the old waterfront location is a new development and it tries to lure folks there as it looks nice. It is just a little too far away from the downtown views.YRMV

 

I don’t need or want anything which usually leads to me buying something I don’t need or want. Sticking $100 in my pocket and walking around PIR with an empty backpack. It’s all about self control…

 

I have not been there since the mid 80's and just got a room in N. Vancouver. Hopefully it will be easy to get across the bridge and I can find parking! So if I am reading the post correctly, the race track is more for cars/parts/tools etc. and the expo center is more for the antiques, collectibles?

Mike

 

Nope, plenty of cars and car parts at Expo....plenty.

 

Well got my packet finally for swap meet, not in Hall D like I thought. My grandpa and I will be in Hall E about in the middle of the building. Stop on by and say hello, we are gonna have a full booth of stuff to sell.

 

I got run over by an old drunk on a mobility scooter one year. Guy hit me from the back and knocked me down and never acknowledged that he hit me when he was trying to get unstuck from where he had gotten stuck after he hit me. LIttle runt of a guy about 80 who was totally wasted. You tend to find the hot rod goodies that guys really want to sell at the Race track though. I did buy my Milwaukee magnisium angle drive skill saw from a guy with an apple bin full of power tools that he said were excess from his business.

 

I will do just that. When it rains you head for the indoor booths and grab a beer.

You have to watch your ass at the race track. Too many motorized conveyances if you ask me but it is nice to let those with walking difficulties get out and do some swapping.

I have not received my packet yet but I did get an email today that they cashed my check and that the packet is in the mail.

I will be halfway down the PIR quarter mile on the North side, stalls 2087 and 2088. That is almost dead center between A and B entrances. The gent that reserves those two stalls got sick and couldn't make it this year. So I got lucky, that is like pole position. I don't get them next year unless he can't make it but it also means I get first chance next year on permanent spaces. Stop by and say howdy. I'll have my black car trailer out there and possibly my dune buggy.

 

I did a 28 day treatment program to get me off attending such events I remember one year starting around the track on the north side and it was a rainy day. I felt sorry for the venders along that stretch. It was dark and rainforest like. Gotta be tough to do it.

 

Don't forget the 2024 Expo Swap Meet starts next Friday April 5th. We will be in spaces 6533-34 & 6547-48 with plenty of HAMB friendly stuff and of course some stuff not so friendly, for your race cars.

 

The weather forecast looks fairly decent. That just doesn’t seem right with tradition. I’ll more than likely walk around PIR with self restraint from my wallet.

 

Step one.........leave restaint at home.
Step two.........go to bank.
Step three.......go to swap meet.

 

I packed up some nice 3" Doug's Headers electric exhaust cutouts today, those won't last long. A couple never used rear side nerf bars from McMillan's in polished SS. A little something for everyone.

 

The race track has always been dangerous, and management hasn't done much to make it safer. They stopped dirt bikes and two wheel motorized anything, but still allow quads, and all sorts of fairly large/fast vehicles.
Not many years ago I had a guy in a quad with a '55 Chevy bumper strapped sideways across the back clip my arm as he drove past. I started to shout at him when he caught an elderly gentleman full on in the back and took him face first to the ground and didn't even stop! I ran after him screaming and another person in the quad finally stopped him. When I pointed back to the man he knocked down he went back to apologize, while others were helping the man to his feet. He was scraped up, and I'm sure he was hurting even more the next day, but he didn't press it then.
Most of these idiots are clueless of the damage they're doing, and I'd bet a lot of folks get hurt and the guys hurting them don't even know or care.

 

YUP, a lot safer at EXPO!