Funfest
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Pro
Joined: May 2006
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From: Clearwater Florida
Funfest
Has anyone gone to Mid-America's funfest before? How does it compare to Carlisle? My son and I are planning a summer trip.. We did Carlisle last year and had a blast dispite the bad weather.
Thanks, Don
Thanks, Don
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 95
From: Springfield MO
Its awesome. Though I've never been to carlisle it was a fun time. Lots to see. Probably the only difference between the two is funfest only has vendors that supply M.A.D. whereas carlisle has many different vendors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
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From: Indianapolis In
It depends on what you are looking for. At funfest, you are only allowed MAD catalog prices - 10%. AT Carlisle, the vendors have better discounts & sometimes deep discount for discontinued items. With Mid America charging admittance next year, the attendance will go down. It has been free in the past with a free t-shirt & until a couple years ago, free food. Carlisle is growing every year & with the vendors having their way, it will continue to grow. JMO.
Last edited by travelingypsye; Mar 15, 2008 at 05:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
I've been to both; and both are great events.
But Carlisle is a giant compared to the Funfest.
keep in mind that a good 30% of the event is behind the grandstands - which is not visable in this Carlisle pic:
http://home.woh.rr.com/mikemercury/panaram.jpg
best viewed in it's native res (not re-dimentioned to fit your screen)
I thought they back-tracked on that ?
But Carlisle is a giant compared to the Funfest.
keep in mind that a good 30% of the event is behind the grandstands - which is not visable in this Carlisle pic:
http://home.woh.rr.com/mikemercury/panaram.jpg
best viewed in it's native res (not re-dimentioned to fit your screen)
With Mid America charging admittance next year,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
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Been 9 years in a row. It's great. I haven't been to Carlisle (going this year), but it ranks up there with Bloomington Gold, IMO. Living only an hour away has its advantages, too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Greensburg Indiana
Although MAM had said they were going to charge admittance this will not be the case for the 2008 event.
FUNFEST REGISTRATION
I would suggest your going to Funfest and making your own decision. If you are driving and have the time Bowling Green and NCM are not that far away. A plant tour with a walk through the museum would cap out a very nice Vette Vacation for years to remember.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
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From: Belleville Il
Fun fest has averaged 15,000 corvettes for the last several years,,Yes it is FREE again this year.They stopped the free lunch as they have been bringing in Big Name bands for free Saturday night concerts. Last three have been Beach Boys , REO Speedwagon,and Three dog Night.Don't want to jinx it, but they've had great weather every year.I say give it a try,only problem may be lodging,might be booked up already.(we live about 100 mi.so we drive)Great get together for free. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
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From: Northwest Iowa
Haven't been to Carlisle, but have been to FunFest3 times in the last 6 years. Always a great time. Lved REO Speedwagon in 2006 and had to leave early last year before the concert.
Any idea who they are going to have this year?
Any idea who they are going to have this year?
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
If you have never been to Funfest, make the trip once, maybe twice. Once you have everything you need, it becomes the same thing over and over and over again.
As mentioned by others, I heard MAM was going to charge entry fees this year and went to their site and found otherwise. In the event I go, I have registered, but for my $$$ Carlisle is a better place with more vendors and events.
As mentioned by others, I heard MAM was going to charge entry fees this year and went to their site and found otherwise. In the event I go, I have registered, but for my $$$ Carlisle is a better place with more vendors and events.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,672
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From: Made in USA Show Me State
Fun fest has averaged 15,000 corvettes for the last several years,,Yes it is FREE again this year.They stopped the free lunch as they have been bringing in Big Name bands for free Saturday night concerts. Last three have been Beach Boys , REO Speedwagon,and Three dog Night.Don't want to jinx it, but they've had great weather every year.I say give it a try,only problem may be lodging,might be booked up already.(we live about 100 mi.so we drive)Great get together for free.
Most food vendors have items that don't exceed $3 and most beverages are a dollar. Mike Yeager has tried to hold prices down for Mid-America's customers so that its "more reasonable" to come and stay all day without leaving the grounds. There is some good eats and the usual stable of beverages to be had. All of this, from some of his employees... ...'08 will be my third year. Have met alot of nice folks with some beautiful Corvettes...
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 478
Likes: 1
From: Newark de
Just kidding, that looks like a great event, but until you have been there you just can't understand how incredibly huge the Carlisle event is. Not just the new parts type vendors there are hundreds of used parts guys selling all types of stuff. To get the full experience Carlisle is a weekend event, it cannot be done in a day. You could possibly walk around the whole place in a day but to look through all the boxes of junk at all the swap meet spaces looking for that "hidden nugget" that no-one else noticed, and meeting and talking to so many other enthusiasts....It is a great event. If you are into Corvettes you have to have this on your callendar.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
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From: Godfrey IL
Although MAM had said they were going to charge admittance this will not be the case for the 2008 event.
FUNFEST REGISTRATION
I would suggest your going to Funfest and making your own decision. If you are driving and have the time Bowling Green and NCM are not that far away. A plant tour with a walk through the museum would cap out a very nice Vette Vacation for years to remember.
FUNFEST REGISTRATION
I would suggest your going to Funfest and making your own decision. If you are driving and have the time Bowling Green and NCM are not that far away. A plant tour with a walk through the museum would cap out a very nice Vette Vacation for years to remember.
That's a good idea!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Compared to carlisle that is a cute little event.
Just kidding, that looks like a great event, but until you have been there you just can't understand how incredibly huge the Carlisle event is. Not just the new parts type vendors there are hundreds of used parts guys selling all types of stuff. To get the full experience Carlisle is a weekend event, it cannot be done in a day.
Just kidding, that looks like a great event, but until you have been there you just can't understand how incredibly huge the Carlisle event is. Not just the new parts type vendors there are hundreds of used parts guys selling all types of stuff. To get the full experience Carlisle is a weekend event, it cannot be done in a day.
I spend almost an entire day just in the flea market.
But the FunFest is a lot of fun as well. A lot of Corvettes are parked in the lot; but the vendor area is pale in comparison to Carlisle.
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Never been to Carlisle, but FunFest is a good time. Only drawback is the lack of a variety of vendors, but Mid-America is putting it on so their stuff would obviously be the featured products. Lots of cars to drool over.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
They are two different categories of events. Both are great to attend.
Carlisle is a swap meet that grew into a show/auction/sales/opportunitiy to buy aftermarket parts from corvette specialty suppliers.
FunFest is MidAmerica's customer appreciation event.
It has a car show, and a small (compared to Carlisle) MidAmerica supplier area, a car for sale coral, BUT the highlight is the free concert.
Carlisle is a swap meet that grew into a show/auction/sales/opportunitiy to buy aftermarket parts from corvette specialty suppliers.
FunFest is MidAmerica's customer appreciation event.
It has a car show, and a small (compared to Carlisle) MidAmerica supplier area, a car for sale coral, BUT the highlight is the free concert.
