For those of us that attend the AACA Eastern Fall Meet, otherwise known simply as “Hershey”- it’s about one month away. Always the first full week in October; and always the week after Fall Carlisle- 2022 has an important change. The swap meet will set up Monday October 3; and the car show will happen on FRIDAY October 7. Please don’t show up on Saturday- you’ll be surprised to see everything GONE.
As usual, we will set up in the Green Field (spaces GAI 18-19), but just look for light post 118.
Here is the trailer you’ll see. Already loaded with parts for 1941-46 Chevy and GMC trucks.
For those coming for the first time: 9000 vendor spaces, a car coral that encircles the Giant Center. Swap meet in full force Tuesday thru Thursday, then it evaporates Friday morning as the crowd passes thru to the car show. Admission is free, the Chocolate people collect $20/car for parking.
Last edited by Peggy M; Tue Oct 11 2022 01:47 PM. Reason: Adjusted Title
It's the largest antique car flea market in the world! Don't just limit this to the Mid-Atlantic and NE, this is a global event with buyers and sellers coming from all over the world. Some of the vendors I look forward to seeing drive in from California with truck loads of parts!
We saw the Windyhill group, an impressive bunch of young people excited about an old Chevy truck, and we fixed them up with some parts to keep their project moving forward. There were Stovebolters from as far away as Maine, Florida, and Washington State. We had customers from Canada and the Netherlands. Some knew about our group, all were informed.
So you want to be a Hershey swap meet vendor? All it takes is $$$$ (hotels, gas, food, space fees); and the ability to handle all sorts of weather. For example, on Thursday morning I had 3 layers of clothing and was chilly. By noon the coat came off. By 3pm I was in a t-shirt and had some sun burn on my face. We won’t speak of the rain. Plenty of folks down south faced Hurricane Ian at its worst- I won’t complain about dealing with the remnants.
The most rewarding part is meeting truck lovers, male and female- young and old. These things are being restored and driven all over the planet.
If you haven’t been to Hershey- you cannot imagine the scope of it. There are so many things to see and so many things to do- 4 days go by in a flash. Make plans to attend in 2023. You won’t regret it.
Here are a few pictures to show our spaces- from the customer’s perspective and from ours. The ‘46 Chevy CarryAll was in the Friday show to earn its AACA Senior award. It hails from New Windsor, MD (about 8 miles from my home); and it’s stunning. It wasn’t the only Stovebolt in the show, it had plenty of company.
Last edited by greenie-reddy; Sun Oct 09 2022 01:43 PM.
This is a great report on the show. I'm so glad you got a chance to meet the kids of Windyhill. And I bet they were inspired. And parts, too. Way to go!!
I know Mike B talked about Hershey a lot. It would be neat to congregate again next year. (Make it so! ) Hope the Windyhill gang can come again.
Thanks!
(PS -- if more images, can you write a caption for them. I know; I know ... I'm a pain. )
Peggy M Bird's eye view is a bit different than the worm's ~~ and it ISN'T about food.
I started going to Hershey in 1974 and have never missed one since...
We got there Monday morning and stayed on our space until Friday afternoon. It rained until Wednesday mid day and then got sunny, breezy and hot. We even had a micro tornado touch down and race across our spaces about 2pm Friday with the sun out and clear blue sky's. It sent bags and trash 50' into the air and dropped it all about 200' away...very freaky to be standing right in the middle of it while it happened. No one was hurt, but it did make the guys across from us act fast to save their EZ-UP tents. It lasted about 15 seconds...we call it the four seasons of Hershey, we've seen it all over the years!
Got back to Hershey again this year as planned. Great trip as usual. Stopped by to meet Greenie Thursday. That was cool. Hung out with Mike B for a few minutes both Thursday and Friday. Mike was in proper Stovebolt attire both days. I'm the good looking guy next to Mike with the proper Yuenglings attire. Great time all the way around.
I'm curious as to both Greenie and Mike's perspectives on attendance this year.
I'm was also surprised at the amount of AD truck parts that weren't there. A few random fenders, couple grills and some interior dash parts. Seems like there's usually several complete project trucks and lots of sheetmetal to be found.
I've seen this guy before and thought his "signage" was pretty cool. ( I have no affiliation with him and don't mean to promote his business, I just don't know how to blur out his number.)
Thanks for sharing your pictures Mark, it was great meeting you!
I didn't have time to walk this year as we had a steady trickle of customers. I think attendance was down due to the rain, but with that said, sales were up, yeah! I think we sold about 500+ pounds of hand tools (wrenches, plyers, screwdrivers, etc.).
Mike, it looked like you have a nice set-up. I was going to ask how you did. I have never been to Hershey but its on the list of things to do in the future.
Billy Old Dominion Stovebolt Society Exotic Animal Division
Mike, it looked like you have a nice set-up. I was going to ask how you did. I have never been to Hershey but its on the list of things to do in the future.
We do pretty well. We go mostly because it's fun, we've been selling there since 1976. Our spaces are in a good location and we have lots of other vendors in our row making buyers want to walk it. The past few years I've been selling Craftsman USA hand tools. I get customers coming back every year with lists of sockets and wrenches they are missing out of their sets. I think we were about 500 pounds lighter coming home!
You really need to put it on your bucket list, it's the largest antique car flea market in the world with close to 10,000 vendor spaces...that's over 20 miles of tables!
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