The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Southern Bolters 16th Annual River Run show -- Guntersville, AL Aug 22, 2026

I'm planning on attending. Looks like a nice show. Plenty of time to plan something ... especially for those of us who couldn't make Townsend.

Guntersville is less than an hour due south from HQ and an easy drive. Looks like a nice venue.

If there's any interest, after the show ends at 2, convoy back up to HQ for further hanging out, food, camping, etc.

Sounds like great idea, I'm sure there are Bolter’s in the area. It's a great excuse to get together.

We'll see...

OK. Next Saturday. Tuts ... you coming?

Can't make that. My Baby Girl is Graduating from the Nursing Program at FSCJ in Jacksonville FL that morning..

Ok, fine. You pick your family's major milestones over me. Fine. I get the picture ...

Harrumph.

Seriously -- enjoy the day! A big one to be sure!

Semper Fi,
John

The show was ... interesting. Nice cool 45-minute minute ride down to Guntersville. Beautiful venue right on the water. I was able to park with other Stovebolts. The show was mainly muscle cars and street rods, but enough trucks in attendance to keep it interesting.

Of the Stovebolts, the AD crew probably had the best turn out. Of all the AD's, Charlie was the only unrestored/preserved and a gorgeous '53 GMC 1/2-ton was the only restored to original.

The 60-66 crew had a respectable showing, as did the '67-'72. The Square Bodies were out in force, as you might expect nowadays.

There was exactly one (1) '46 there and nothing older than that.

I didn't run into any Stovebolters but I did hand out a lot of flyers and met/talked to a bunch of people so maybe a few of them will pop in.

The ride home was less pleasant -- temps and humidity having climbed into the upper 90's. And I think the donut blew out of the connection between the exhaust pipe and the manifold. Charlie got increasing louder on the trip home.

So ... 1st real show since moving here.

Last few pics

Jaws was interesting... Not a bad turnout for a Hot August Show. The GMC and the '53 were beautiful.. I have cordless Dewalt fan and extra batteries...

Nice pictures! You know you are in the south as you’re pulling up at a show thinking now where is the shade now and which way will it be moving. 🤣

Donald -- that's a fact. That was exactly how the conversation went -- figuring out which way the chairs were going to move ...

Also ... had a very interesting conversation with Lance Campbell who runs Blue Collar Scholars -- a 501-c organization that provides scholarships to trade schools. They are relatively new and working here in the Deep South initially -- Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. I'm currently looking into how we (Stovebolt.com) might be able to help them. Our hobby dies without skilled trades helping us keep these things on the road.

Blue Collar Scholars.tech

Nice pictures John! Charlie was obviously standing tall as always. Looks like he was the only 1 Ton in attendance. But that's okay as he certainly stands out as the "Big Brother" to the rest of the AD crowd!


The "Blue Collar Scholars" sounds like a great idea. Definitely a need to train the next generations as there will always be a need for skilled trades in our community and many others.

Thanks for the pictures John, I am starting to learn what it feels like to show up with 3804 Chevy.
I am also a trade school graduate and see the need daily for blue collar workers who make a good living in their trade.


Don

HMMMM- - - - - -I wonder if they would be interested in working with an old geezer automotive machinist?
Jerry

Nice pictures and Charlie is a stand out.

I also attended a trade school for autobody, so I am a supporter. There are so many kids with degrees today having a hard time finding jobs and paying off their collage loans. There’s a shortage of trained electricians, plumbers, carpenters and welders that would give kids a great career with really decent pay. It’s certainly an option that few explore.

Phil -- Indeed. There are many on this site who are enjoying successful careers and retirements thanks to their trade school start, as opposed to many kids today who will never be more than laborers because of their worthless college degrees and saddled with huge college loan repayments.

I feel very sorry for those kids whose parents are dooming them to a hard and unfulfilled life because of a sadly mistaken belief that a college "education" is the only path to success in life.

FYI, most of the money generated at the Smoky Moutains AD Nationals go to a local trade school.

Jerry
If you move to mid Missouri, can I be your Machinist Helper?
I think I remember how to read a micrometer.

Don

I'm one of the learn as you go crowd. I got my mechanical engineering degree after I retired. I attended YTU.



You Tube University.

If I was to go to college, an engineering degree would be my major and then go work in the field with the craft.
The good engineers I worked with would always come down to the shop and at least talked to the craft that had to use and install their ideas in the field.
Some of them thought that we were just the stupid ones because we did not go to college.

Don

Don, I guess I'm in your "good engineer" category, having started out as a plumber's helper. I always listened to the craft guys in the field, and learned things every time.

My Dad, Grandfather and Uncle Sugar are responsible for this mess I call my life. I am seriously a Jack of All Trades, I'm certified in HVAC, Plumbing, Carpentry, Electrical and Roofing. I work at all of these at my position with the State of Georgia. I'm also a former Logger for the State of New Hampshire. Oh and I used to play with Explosives and Heavy Equipment (Combat Engineers). And have a current HazMat CDL.

Craig -- My CDL-A is current, too. When I was active duty, I was licensed to drive Hummvees, CUCV and 44 pax bus. My claim to fame is that at the time, I was the only officer in 3rd Marine Division with a tactical driver's license. Its a long story ...