Hey,
I'm in Mass and bought my first Corvette (C4) a few weeks ago. Depending on my work schedule I was hoping to make the road trip to Carlisle in August. Is there any advice that I need to ensure a good time? Where to stay/where not to stay, what I need to register or make reservations for ahead of time (besides hotel)? ect... Thanks in advance.

 

Congratulations on your new Vette I've been going to Carlisle from Mass every year since 1985. It's a great time. Most of the area motels are booked a year in advance. You can certainly call around to see if there are any cancellations. They can put you on a waiting list. Otherwise you will have to stay in communities nearby.

Register for the Fun Field. It allows you to park on the Fairgrounds each day. Thursday is now officially the 1st day, even though many of us have considered it the 1st day for many years. It's hot so dress accordingly with plenty of sunscreen. The parade on Saturday night is fun if you've never done it but it is a bit of an orchestrated traffic jam. I avoid NY City and drive down via the Mass Pike to 84 to 81.

Have fun

 

If you (and others) have trouble finding a room you can use our "club" rate and get a room at the Clarion in New Cumberland. About 20 minute drive to Fairgrounds. We've stayed there the last few years. Should still have some rooms left. Just tell them your with the "Posse" Corvette group.

Clarion Hotel
148 Sheraton Dr
New Cumberland, PA 17070

Corvettes at Carlisle .... Posse Hotel information

DATEs: August 25(Thur) , 26(Fri), 27(Sat), 2016
Group rates good for any combination of 1, 2, or 3 nights on those dates.
Group rates good for single or double occupancy (Request King, Queen or two beds)

Rate: $89 + Tax should put total cost per night at about $97.01

CALL 717-774-2721 and ask to make reservation under the "POSSE" group.

Post up if you make a reservation under our group and enjoy Carlisle!

 

That's awesome!! Thank you very much. I'm going to figure out my work schedule now and try to get a day or two off. I'll let you know if I book. Thanks again.

 

Register for the Fun Field for the best deal. It gets you showfield parking, 24 hour access, a goody bag and t shirt and dash plaque. You can take part in the Saturday parade if you like and can register at the event if you don't want to do it online. There is a fee to do the parade.
Bring a pop up canopy if you have one because there is little to no shade there and folding chairs to sit on. You can safely leave them there all weekend, just be sure to drop the canopy at night or take the top off and anchor it well. Storms do pop up. You can bring coolers on the grounds. There are plenty of food vendors on the grounds including Subway. A hat is a must and good walking shoes. Your fun field pass will be mailed to you around two weeks before the event. There was reserved parking, but it's all sold out now, so you'll have to find your spot. The show starts on Thursday this year (had always started on Friday before) so be sure to get there as early on Thursday as you can. Fun field will fill up quickly and if the weather is good, be there by 7 am on Friday and Saturday. There is a good thread on the National Events Forum page that covers everything about this years event. Bring money! You're bound to find stuff you want. I go every year saying "I don't need anything" and always end up buying something. There is a special dinner on Friday night that benefits the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation. The cost is $60 per person, but it's for a great cause and you do have to pre register for that if you plan on attending. It's held just off the fairgrounds at the expo center. Aside from that, unless you want to try the auto cross or enter your car in the judged car show, you should be good to go!. But get that hotel room soon.

 

Your the man Johnny!

 

It goes without saying, but you will want to take LOTS of pics. You will fall in love with 1,000 different Vettes as you wander around (and possibly with almost that many spectator-ettes as well! )

 

That's a great hotel rate. A lot better than the $179 a night I'm getting ripped off with this year ($129 last year, same hotel) plus they demand 3 nights minimum. But I guess that's the price I have to pay for a super close hotel.
If I were you, I'd grab it!

 

$179 ? Wow. Im staying on the Harrisburg Pike , really close by for $189 a night. But that's a room with a jacuzzi

 

Bring lots of cash, as the swap meet is awesome. Sunscreen is a must.. The Dutch food place in the food court has amazing food.

 

I'm thinking about going, just cant decide if I should take the Vette or my truck? Swap meet

 

Bring your most comfortable shoes, plan on a lot of walking...

 

If you're bringing the Vette and don't register for the Fun Field, your parking choices are going to be off site of the fairgrounds or general Corvette parking which is over the hill.
If you bring the truck, you will have to park off site, but you can bring a wagon or something to put your swap meet items in while you walk.
There are pros and cons to both. If you don't bring a wagon, you can get on the tram and ride through the swap meet.

Can't go wrong either way.

 

The swap meet is typical now a flea market with stuff that is not Corvette related. If you need car part you can get it by searching the web and Ebay now-a-days.

 

Idk what your talking about man.. Last year at Carlisle I picked Up

A set of black c6 headlights for 250.00
A pair of c5 z06 sway bars for 60.00
A set of 4, 2013 grandsport shocks for 75.00
A set of c5 magniesium wheels for 150.00
A cup holder for the c5 for 25.00

That was only the car parts. My wife picked up a ton and my daughter did as well.

 

One year I picked up a complete exhaust system for my 72. I fit into my 00FRC.

This year the first day will be the Grand Sport and maybe the Tahoe the next day. I all depends on how much money I bring.

 

Once was enough