The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Pate swap meet location

What state is this in? I must start planning to be there next year. I thought it was Texas but Yahoo can't find it.

Thanks

try this

pate link

Pate swapmeet is located at the Texas Motor Speedway North off Ft Worth Of I35w and state highway 114

I went this year for the first time and was sorely disappointed. I thought it was a 4 day show, so I decided to go on Sunday on account of threatening weather Saturday. (Wish it would come back!) By Sunday morning, the only activity was breaking down. I think I saw 20 or 30 vendors at the most.

If you go, DON'T count on Sunday. Call it a Friday/Saturday swap meet and save yourself the frustration.

Bill

Most swap meets I go to, at least some of Sunday is break down day and at most almost the whole day is devoted to packing up and getting out. Pate is no exception.

The actual days that are the best are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To avoid the crowd and see most of the items, Friday is my favorite day. I haven't been to the Pate meet on a Saturday in years. Try Friday next year - I think you'll be much happier and if not, than I couldn't tell you of a meet in this part of the country that is any larger or any better. The only possible exception could be the fall meet at Chickasha, OK at the Grady County Fairgrounds.

Joe

I'm from Keller, TX, and went to Pate every year. They don't have anything like it around here. The 2 things I always kept in mind about early swap meets is: Freeze at Decatur, drown at Pate! It's a lot better at the track than that old pasture where it was.

I chalked up the Sunday fiasco to my own ignorance. I figured they'd start breaking down Sunday, but I thought it would be at least after noon, not at 8:30. Dang it, if there isn't a swap meet on Sunday, then they need to say it ends on Saturday! To promote it as including Sunday, and charging parking on Sunday is not right.

Once bitten, twice shy. I'll go earlier next year.

I'm just trying to pass on my experience to prevent the same disappointment to someone who invests more than my 60 miles.

Bill

..Some of the Old timers say that it was better at the "pasture" than the pavement of the speedway. :rolleyes: ..I guess it's all in how you see things.

Me... I like Decatur because I believe cold is better than this 101 degree weather we have been having here. :mad:

Cliff59

To me, the best swap meet weather is 45 to 60 degrees and maybe a little drizzle. I will say, however, I would rather walk on the pavement than in the mud!

I'll never forget how bad the turn in the southwest corner at the front of the Pate Swap Meet south of Fort Worth would get - right up by the museum by the highway. That thing would turn into a lake of mud!! One year we went down the hill at the back in my buddies pick up and had to be towed out!! That hill was as slippery as ice! Very good memories, but I don't need to that again!!

Generally speaking, I've never been to a swap meet that I didn't like!! Gotta go to all of them!!

Joe

I actually like the one at LaGrave field, more a home town atmosphere. Went to Pate late Sat afternoon, 2pm, and most the sellers were closing up! Even my wife, and experienced swap-meeter, made a comment. But was still enjoyable to look at old cars and dream. Mike

I also liked LaGrave. Free parking, close to home, manageable size- it was enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the repeat this fall. Maybe I'll buy more than a key blank this time!

Bill

You know, Guys, I have to agree! He moved that meet around a few times and, of course, he used to have it at the old Texas Rangers facility, but there is something neat about the meet being at La Grave Field. It's cool to look up and see the skyline of a city when your at a swap meet.

The meet in the fall is the best! That much needed cooler weather is usually in place and it adds a different, exciting feel to the meet!

Can you guys tell - I'm a swap meet junkie!!

Joe

Hello Fellows, Can you tell me where La Grave Field is located? Is it in the Forth Worth area? What dates in the fall is the swap meet?

Thanks much,
Hal

Hal, welcome to our site,,

October 28th & 29th D/FW Fall Swap Meet!
In Fort Worth at LaGrave Field 1 block east of Main in 400-600 blocks.
FREE ADMISSION. DEALER DAY AND SET-UP IS Friday

just north of downtown Fort Worth on the banks of the Trinity River, just east of North Main Street!!

you might google you a map from where you live.. how far are you away from the DFW area

It is between downtown proper and the Stockyards. Google for the Fort Worth Cats baseball team. They have pictures and directions.

Bill

Hal, looks like about 240 mile or so drive for you, unless I have the wrong Buffalo gap, tx.......

Cliff59 mentioned Decatur. Is that in Texas? I am quite close to Decatur Illinois and starving for a decent swap meet.

Thanks.

come on down,,,,,,,,,you got a long drive though. it is in Tx

I lived in Granbury and went to the old meet. It was huge back in late 80's.
I am originally from Houston and my truck is over at my mom and dad's in Burkburnett Tx. Heading that direction a week from Saturday to see what kind of damage I can do to it. I have only seen a few pics of it, so ought to interesting.
Most obvious, needs brake work, gas tank, seat, motor work (235 in it that turns by hand but know nothing else). I have 15 days to work on it, 1500 bucks to apply on this trip, and two of my parent's neighbors who own junk yards and wrecker services and are asking a lot of questions, offering a lot of advice, and help.
Questions: Knowing only this much, what would you focus on for the greatest feeling of accomplishment for the money?

Thanks Joker. Do you know when it occurs?