Event Coverage When do we draw the line to being charged?

Recently, here in the San Antonio area, I heard that a Harley Davidson shop threw a shindig where participants were charged $40 to get in. I was amazed to hear this, and if I am wrong, someone please correct me. My cheapness goes to the fact that we, old car enthusiasts, spend our money to build up these things, spend our money to get to these events and then we have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to participate so that the sponsors can use us to attract folks?! Am I missing something? We, the worker bees building or funding these vehicles are being charged an exorbitant amount of funds to show our cars during an event thrown by a sponsor to attract visitors, and we are charged to attend?!

I'm thinkin' that it is time for a "HAMB alliance" where we, the car owners/attendees get in free and at least receive an attendance t-shirt. Making money off of the guys/gals who build the attention getting cars is BS, in my book. Ideas?

 

Dont we already have this discussion, every time a GoodGuys event gets mentioned?