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I went to the NCRS show today in Lakeland and was a bit disappointed. I have been going to the event since it was held at the old Cypress Gardens in Florida. I don't know if we are aging out or Covid or the something else, but there were about 5 major vendors and about 5 individual spots for the swap meet. In the past, there were about 5 double rows in the swap meet section. Many of the major vendors did not have a booth. On the plus side, the cars in the hanger for judging, were stunning and I got to meet forum member Marshal and his lovely wife. I also got to spend some time with my daughter, son and grandson. The auction was fun, but many of the cars were daily drivers. I hope this is not the way of our hobby. Jerry
Just to be clear... Carlisle Productions ran the swap meet that coincided with the NCRS Regional event at Sun N Fun.
Carlisle Productions made the business decision NOT to continue the swap meet this year. They made that decision rather late in the game. Why? It was a money loser.
Back in the days of Cypress Gardens, up through a few other venues near Orlando, and continuing to Old Town, the Florida Chapter ran their own swap meet in conjunction with the Winter Regional. When Old Town went bankrupt, the chapter was forced to move and find a new venue. That new venue was Sun N Fun. For the first year or two, the chapter ran their own swap meet there.
When the chapter joined forces with Carlisle Productions at Sun N Fun a few years later, the Florida chapter relinquished the swap meet, and let Carlisle handle it, and they did a wonderful job..
When Carlisle Productions decided not to do the swap meet this year, the chapter was left with only the small area around Hangar D, where they always have been for the judging event. There was room for 30 or so small spaces behind the hangar.
The demise of the swap meet was not the Florida Chapter's decision..
It remains to be seen whether the Florida Chapter will start the swap meet back up next year.
I too want to Lakeland, I too was disappointed.. Like you I too went to Cypress Garden and all
the places in between.. I think of all the places Old Town was one of my favorites .. Old Town and
Mecum were probably the best Corvette week in January..
I think you would be kidding yourself if you didn't realize, this section of the sport is aging out. Jesus, just look around at any of the events. Everyone we all used to be friends with and judged with are old. I guess it is a good thing they are aging instead of leaving, but get as much knowledge from them as you can, because time will take its toll.
ALL the original shows have changed their type of event in order to survive. Example; back 15 years ago when we had our event, the internet parts shopping was just getting popular. That in my opinion was the beginning of the end for the parts/swap areas. That being said, some of the specialized events were still pulling a fair amount of vendors, but seriously... It is shrinking fast. I do feel Covid was that last straw for many of the vendors.
I like the Sun and Fun facility one of the best places to hold the event. Weather is not an issue and being tied in at the same time as Carlisle Winter-auto fest and Auction also gives everyone else not involved in the Judging to enjoy a nice show. Placement, it is in the middle between Tampa and Orlando so getting Airlines tickets can be more competitive. The Lodging in the area is less and again, depending on if you want to stay in Lakeland, or venture out to Tampa or Orlando (Just an hour in either direction), the sky is the limit for dining and entertainment. The only real downfall of Sun and Fun facility is it is so large, it dwarfs most anything that goes on there.
Keep the faith, and continue to pass on your knowledge to the younger hobbyists, because it is the only way we can sustain our events. Even with the current Resto Mod craze, we still need the younger crowd to want to participate! But be willing to go with the flow, things will change, they need to in order to continue. Participate in the new facets, but also lobby hard to keep parts of the old. It is up to us to help them survive.
First Corvette show I attended was the NCRS meet at Cypress Gardens. Things have changed for sure.
I went to the NCRS meet at old town Kissimmee and it was good, but once it left there, it went downhill. Went twice to the Sun/Fun location and it was awful and poorly attended, and I wanted to enjoy it, but could not. It was awful.
Last time I went there, the cars judged were few, vendors nearly absent, and was in and out in under 2 hours, taking my time. Did not go back. This was before Covid. Maybe in 2018?
Hope shows like that last, but it's gotta improve the draw.
From my point of view for vendors and spectators it’s just too darn expensive to go to these type of shows for a weekend By the time you factor in gas, hotel, food, airfare, etc you will have a few grand and that’s before you enter the show and buy a part. While most in the hobby that is a drop in the bucket I think what drove this years ago was the working guy. And if money is object is not the problem I don’t think those guys care any more as they already got there awards years ago. I would love to go to this show and others like it but it’s out of my league to even think about going
There is numerous posts on Face Book. Corvette Forum will not allow a link,. Go to FB and search NCRS Florida it will bring it right up.
It is up to those that are interested in NCRS to participate, attend and continue to support the events and outings. You can't blame an event for poor attendance or shrinking in size if you don't support it.
Maybe.... Instead of complaining about how it appears to be dying, you come up with a reason to make it better, then step in to make that idea come to fruition?
Hello,
This was our first NCRS meet so we had nothing to compare it to.
I watched about 6 1965’s go through various stages of judging. My wife got a kick when she saw the judges inside and underneath the cars.
All in all the few cars there were exquisite.
We saw one resto mod and a few in the Sportsman’s class for not so stock judging.
It was nice got there around 9 and left at noon.
We felt we saw everything twice.
The Carlisle auction was just driver stuff out of Craigslist or Market place and there is no way that’s enough time to inspect and bid.
I did meet Tampa Jerry and his lovely family.
We have shared threads on the forum for quite some time and we finally got to meet.
The best was a 1953 and 1955 that were amazing and a turquoise 56.
Here ya go! 1953 65 fuelie wow LT1 being judged Our favorite Fla color Allot of LT1’s here. Sportsman’s class Ah 1955 stopped me in my tracks Pan shot 1967 Another fuelie
Just to be clear... Carlisle Productions ran the swap meet that coincided with the NCRS Regional event at Sun N Fun.
Carlisle Productions made the business decision NOT to continue the swap meet this year. They made that decision rather late in the game. Why? It was a money loser.
Back in the days of Cypress Gardens, up through a few other venues near Orlando, and continuing to Old Town, the Florida Chapter ran their own swap meet in conjunction with the Winter Regional. When Old Town went bankrupt, the chapter was forced to move and find a new venue. That new venue was Sun N Fun. For the first year or two, the chapter ran their own swap meet there.
When the chapter joined forces with Carlisle Productions at Sun N Fun a few years later, the Florida chapter relinquished the swap meet, and let Carlisle handle it, and they did a wonderful job..
When Carlisle Productions decided not to do the swap meet this year, the chapter was left with only the small area around Hangar D, where they always have been for the judging event. There was room for 30 or so small spaces behind the hangar.
The demise of the swap meet was not the Florida Chapter's decision..
It remains to be seen whether the Florida Chapter will start the swap meet back up next year.
Chuck,
I believe you helped me upon arrival with parking. I felt the venue was perfect for the event. The hangar theme was cool for vintage corvettes.
We got to see what’s involved in judging a 1965 and the work of the owner to bring it to that level.
Chuck,
I believe you helped me upon arrival with parking. I felt the venue was perfect for the event. The hangar theme was cool for vintage corvettes.
We got to see what’s involved in judging a 1965 and the work of the owner to bring it to that level.
I was on parking duty from about 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.
The hangar is a perfect venue. IIRC, we had about 65 cars inside, including flight judged cars, Sportsman cars, and PV cars.
Parking was a real issue this year. That's all I'll say about it.
I like all the shows big or small. Thanks for the pics.
If the show was small I would make a day of it bye sightseeing in the town of the show and finding a local place to eat.(talking to locals)
Just getting together with other Corvette owners is all I need.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I also remember looking forward to this every year, in the 80s &90s, exciting show, with plenty venders lot to do Cypress Gardens was the best, then moved to Disney Sports complex, then to hotel, and Old Town!
Went it left going Sun in Fun, I stopped, cause friends told me every year less venders showing up, and they were disappointed.
I hope it returns back in it's glory again, it was fun weekend.
Here’s a novel idea (I have no idea how Lakeland was run) give folks a spot to sell parts free. Need two, charge a nominal amount for the second etc. Travel, food, lodging then space rental is killing swap meets. It’s a failure to compete with Facebook, etc and shipping costs, which are much lower.
Chuck,
yes it was you Saturday you asked me and my wife if there were any spots over where we parked.
A corvette forum meet and greet kiask would be 👍.
When I was a c3 owner and on the c3 forum members would coordinate a meeting point at Carlisle
The weather looks like it was beautiful. I've been watching posts and videos on the NCRS Facebook page. Incredible cars. There's a regional meet close to home in April. I'm looking forward to being at that one.
02-26-2022, 05:37 PM
NCRS Lakeland
