Carlisle gates and parking

[Bill Jackson]

This is my first trip to Carlisle. What is the recommended gate and parking with a rental car? How early can I get in on Fri and Sat? What is too late each day for decent parking (ie does it fill up)? I'd rather be closer to the vendors than the car shows if it matters. Thanks, Bill

[Tom M.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

You cannot park anything other than a corvette on the fairgrounds,although there is plenty of parking outside the gates for btw 5 and $10 Most vendors don't open untill about 8:30, get there early or your parts will be sold.

Tom

[Richard S.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

Bill,
I would highly recommend that you get to the gates BEFORE 7 AM....unless you like wasting two to three hours inching your way along.... miles from the fairgrounds. You can have a nice breakfast on site....getting up early is really worth it....and if you are there early enough you can probably park right outside Gate 7 for free.....you should really enjoy your first visit to Corvette heaven....see you there.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

As others have mentioned you have to get there early. I have parked a block or two over from Gates 2 - 3 for free around 8:30 AM. It isn't that far from the vendors if you only have small parts. If you are buying heavey/large parts you might want to park closer. Look on the Internet for the Map of the grounds and pick your gate.

[Joe L.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

Tom------

I'll probably get there early, but I really hope that all the good parts are sold by the time I get there. Otherwise, I might buy some.

[Peter L.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

Joe - I thought you owned one of everything already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pete

[Roger S.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

Just before Gate 3 there is parking at a city park and a school, both charge $10 on Friday. The school is right next to the gate 3 and the park is next to the school. Just inside Gate 3 is the swap meet area with the car show on the other side of the fairgrounds. I have parked in the city park for three years, I like to have my truck in the shade. This year I'll be driving my Corvette and will park inside the fairgrounds. I have tried to get to the parking areas by 8:00 AM and have not had to wait long to get parked.
Roger

[Dick W.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

Pete, I thought that he owned multiples of ALL the parts. He must have a warehouse larger than Lowe's Hardware just to store his parts. And another just to store his reference materials

[Chuck R.]

Re: Gate 7 Bill

Folks will gladly take your $5.00 to park on their lawns and you will be looking at the gate entrance.

Wear comfortable shoes, light clothes, take sun block and oh yeah, a small collapsable umbrella just for show as it NEVER rains at Carlisle

It sounds corny, but my first year at the swap meet, I had quite a shopping list and not enough fingers to carry it all. After the third trip back to the truck, the gent who's yard I parked in took pitty on me and offered a five gallon pail. It turned out to be a Godsend.

I picked up a Corvette sticker and slapped it on the side and I must have picked up at least ten booths more and hour

Have a great time, I wish I was going.

Chuck

[Craig S.]

Re: Gate 7 Bill

Chuck- I agree on gate 7. I always try to get there early and park on the street. I think most of the yard parking had increased to $10 vs 5 last year....but it varies, and by day. The farther you get away from the gate on that street, the lower the price so there may be some $5 slots. Craig

[Joe L.]

Re: Carlisle gates and parking

Pete-----

Well, I was at Carlisle Friday and Saturday. I went through all of the parts vendors at least twice. I didn't find a single thing that I didn't already have that I wanted. There were, of course, many things there that I don't have. But, there wasn't a single thing among them that I wanted.