I took a day of vacation Friday and drove up to Texas Motor Speedway to attend the 2024 Pate Swap Meet. Left San Antonio at 4 AM and pulled into the meet at 8:31 AM. The wind was brisk and the skies were overcast.
Their website said that 2023 was their most successful ever with over 9,200 spaces sold, so I was looking forward to a couple of days of treasure hunting.
The crowd was already pretty sizable and I felt a buzz in the air. It didn’t take me long to notice a couple of things, the first of which was that there were lots of empty spaces. Sometimes 4, 5, or 6 all in a row. It’s always been the case that guys buy spots so they can park their cars inside next to where they sell their wares, but did that many of the vendors plan to be there only one day on Saturday?
The second thing I noticed was that, unlike in recent years, there were hardly any vendors selling signs and vintage gas pumps. You could count the number of them who were peddling that stuff on one hand. Maybe there isn’t a market after all for $3,900 gas pumps and $1,500 porcelain signs???
I also noticed that the quality of items for sale didn’t seem as good as it usually is. Lots and lots of old worn out junk that no one was buying.
As far as Chevy AD parts I only saw 3 front ‘54 fenders, a rusty old tailgate ($225), an NOS AC Delco voltage regulator ($50), two Fulton Sun visors ($600), a rusty glove box door, and a nice left rear fender with the spare tire dimple. There were two well-worn AD trucks for sale and I didn’t observe any lookers.
About 1:00 PM, it began to sprinkle but stopped 20 minutes later. About 2:00 the rain really started coming down and everyone ran for what cover they could find. It stopped about 20 minutes later and I continued walking, but now I had to try and avoid rivers of runoff water and got wet feet as a result.
The crowd began to thin, and at 3:00 I decided I had seen enough and called it a day. As I walked to the car I wondered if any of those missing vendors would actually show up on Saturday?
I decided it wasn’t worth the time and expense to spend the night and drive back for another day of shopping. So I loaded my wagon into the car and drove back to San Antonio. I stopped for a great dinner of catfish, a sweet potato and corn at a Texas Roadhouse. I got back on the road, but then got caught in a monstrous rain storm north of Waco that caused traffic to come to a grinding halt. I crept along at a snails pace until north of Georgetown, but traffic was still horrible. Got home about 9:00 PM tired and sore.
Was Pate worth the trip? Of course it was. Any swap meet is better than no swap meet at all!! Can’t wait ‘till next year!
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
Chuck, that was some great reporting! Thanks for the details. Too bad about the rains. Must have made a real mess. I do wonder how the second day went. Maybe someone here knows.
I liked your ending: "Was Pate worth the trip? Of course it was. Any swap meet is better than no swap meet at all!! Can’t wait ‘till next year!"
If you don't have some images to share, there are several websites that have info on the Pate Swap Meet. I found the this Facebook page had some images and video to see -- most that PSM posted. (Remember, if you don't have a F page, just X out of that pop-up window.) The Pate Swap Meet page didn't have any images from the April event - that event wasn't even listed in their News portion. Had a lot of print info about the event (maps, hotels, shopping, etc.).
Hope you DO have some images to share but if not, your details in the story made it interesting. And from the sound of things, maybe there wasn't much to take pictures of!
Last edited by Peggy M; 04/28/202412:57 PM. Reason: more info
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Peggy, I’m *really* late looking at the “Wrenchfest” pics, but enjoyed them so much! No doubt those guys had a really fun couple of days together. Maybe one day Chris and I can make the trip from Texas to join them.
Chris shared a pic with me from his trip to VA last week. I’m happy the two of you got to visit and catch up.
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
