Joe Scafide

Tired of rainouts every year they should move gold to july not going this year it sucks stick to caryle

Quick Silver Z

Boy, I remember a day when dozens of us would have been all over a BG thread.

Now not so much…

https://www.bloomingtongold.com/

HEB

Quick Silver Z

They are now starting to include Camaro in seminars, events and parking...

TraceZ

Our crew still attends, but we really miss the days of St. Charles.

It was a treat to see acres of green grass covered in thousands of Corvettes. We used to walk around looking at them all. Every year and model you could imagine.
Now with everyone in a parking lot, it's just not the same.

Also gone:
The Great Hall
The Sunday morning Zenith "Survivor" show (all makes and models)
The Mecum auction
Most dealers selling Corvettes

There are some cool new things:
Free hot laps in new Corvettes with a professional driver
Drive on the track - although this is not nearly as cool as it was before the 60mph limit.

And regarding Camaros. I like Camaros. I have a Camaro.
Camaros do not belong at Bloomington Gold. The fact they are attempting to integrate them is a shortsighted attempt to grow attendance that is dwindling for other reasons outlined above. Why not actually address the issues?

Quick Silver Z

Years ago we suggested a wet T-shirt contest as an event, the idea fell flat.

Jeff T.

Headed down Friday rain or shine. I already know mine won't melt!!

Looking forward to another ride with one of the Ron Fellows drivers.

tommyn

Will Santo be there? Heading down Friday.

ghlkal

Looks like _lots_ of rain this year. I'm going anyway.

Quick Silver Z

You guys have fun and be safe!

RyanR0101

Add the rides with the Ron Fellows drivers to the "gone" list for this year.

I've gone to this show every year since 1998, and it just keeps going downhill as of late. IMS is just way too big a venue, and it's not laid out for a car show. Adding Camaros, to me, is a desperate attempt to boost attendance any way they can, and I saw hardly any. Today was a beautiful day, and it was about as dead as I've seen it. The east half of the swap meet is pretty much completely gone, replaced by parking and a Continental tire semi truck. Indoor vendor area half empty. A whopping 12 cars for sale in the "gold mine," and 6 '69s that showed up and paid full admission for the privilege of being put in the "gold year" display way off the beaten path. "Seminars" that are nothing more than vendor advertisements. I talked to several vendors who shared my sentiments on the show's direction.

I've corresponded with them a few times and given suggestions for improvement, but the response seems to be that they're just going to do it their way, so the ship continues to sink. I don't see how they can afford holding at IMS with such low attendance, unless they get a serious rent break for a weekend that would net the speedway zero otherwise.

Z28ImpalaSS

I agree with RyanR above. Started going when it moved to Indy a few years ago. Less than half of what used to be there the first year at Indy. Less Corvettes, less vendors, less everything.
Food and drink prices are still outrageous. Four dollars for a bottle of freakin water! C'mon!
The best part now seems to be out in the parking lot to see what everybody had driven to get there.

redvetracr

the swap meet at Pheasant Run in St Charles had been going down since the first year, I sold there the first three years, year one in one space I did about $5000, year two in two spaces maybe $3200, year three in three spaces maybe $2000, there was no year four the greed had killed it....stop complaining, take the ncrs needle out of your arm and STOP GOING someone might get the message.

1999PewterCorvette

I have been going to Bloomington Gold for years. I never miss a year. Rain or Shine. But I have to say this is the most disappointed I have ever been. I have seen the declining numbers for a few years, but this year takes the cake. I remember the good years of Bloomington Gold when it was in St Charles or Bloomington itself with the Auctions going on, multiple dealerships, and plethora of vendors. I kept telling myself it’s ok because getting to do hot laps with the pro drivers is kinda neat. Well they took that away now. The one thing people actually looked forward to at this venue. If Bloomington Gold does not move, I believe this was my last show. And the five or six groups of people that I chatted with had the exact same disappointed feel for the show as well. All said that they would not return. I believe this year really hurt them. Trying to make up for attendance with camaros was a fail as well. I think there were 50 cars (and I’m being generous).
Hope they can turn it around. My wife still doesn’t believe me. It’s always a given that I will be at the show. Guess I will just stick to Funfest in Effingham. I think we are going to see a lot of negative reports.

J.Moore

Speaking of Funfest, how is it? Have never been there. Worth the drive from Cincinnati? Is it more than a 1 day show like BG is now? Looks like about 250 miles probably 3.5 hour drive.

1999PewterCorvette

Funfest is very enjoyable. Only about an hour and a half from me. Obviously all of the products that MidAmerica sells is right there and installations are being done. But there are thousands of corvettes. Its a couple days long as well with a party/concert at the end. If you like going around and seeing every possible color or type of corvette, that is your place. Just walking rows and rows upon vettes looking at all the little things that people have done to their cars is worth it to me. I believe last year there were over 5000 corvettes. Also its a free event which is very nice. If you google funfest you can see several pics and videos showing the number of cars. That show does not disappoint.

TraceZ

Funfest is the plan next year for us. No more Bloomington Gold. It was a good 12 year run guys. bye!

Tigershark3

I've been going to Funfest since 2005.. It's a good time with a totally different vibe than BG. We went to BG last Friday... we were pretty much done by 2pm.

ZR Guy

Just to clarify on the Chevrolet Ride and Drive, and the Fast Laps with Ron Fellows drivers: These events were not here this year because Chevrolet cut it from there budget and did the same at other places they hold those rides, THIS YEAR. The cost of providing the cars and the professional drivers was paid by Chevrolet in the past four years and we are greatful for having them do so. Why they had to cut this and other items from their budget is not for me to discuss - it is their business. But be assured it had nothing to do with Ron Fellows School or Bloomington Gold, or the return that Chevrolet received from those events.
Chevrolet expects to return in 2020. Not sure if the New Generation Vette will be in the Fast Laps.... but we can hope so!

As far as Camaros attending ; As I have said many times, I have been hit with "the hobby is getting old and dying away" and similar comments for the past several years. Bringing Camaros in was our way of bringing in a younger crowd that was interested in Vettes. I think it worked as I saw more younger folks this year. Not necessarily a huge difference, but a start. You may not totally agree ... if you have a better suggestion on how to bring in young people, please let me know. Also, I heard from many Corvette owners that they also own Camaros and they were very positive about it. Let's give it a chance, please. Guy

Quick Silver Z

I was hoping you would chime in Guy. I can only imagine how much effort you put into saving Bloomington Gold.

Nothing lasts forever, nothing stays the same.

Just big thanks to you from me and others that know what you did for us...