Looking for some Carlisle advice

[Greg L.]

I'm sure going to give it my best to make it to the show this month but before hand I have a few questions.

How long should I allow myself to wander though the swap meet and cars for sale area, half a day, a day...? I doesn't look too big on the map but I hear it's quite big so I'm not sure.

What are the "Fun Display" areas all about?

Any recommendations on where to stay that don't cost an arm and a leg yet let me sleep without having to prop a chair up against the door. I checked the places on their web site but obviously they are all booked by now. I'm not at all familiar with the area and have no problem driving 5-10-15 miles for the night if I have too so any tips on where to stay would be great.

Thanks.

Greg Linton
#45455

[Gary Schisler]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

How long to see everything? ALL DAY and that is if you walk fast and have a fair idea of what you are looking for. When I go for a single day, I have in mind something specific. I do a quick walk through the for sale stuff and then a slow walk back through. Once I get that done, then I stroll through the for sale area.

Hints, freeze several water bottles and as they melt you will have ice cold water; bring sun screen and a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Gary

[Dick W.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Greg, check Shippensburg and Chambersburg area motels. Usually you can get a room there. Prices are a little better also.

[Jim K.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Hi Greg:
I have a vendos spot that I sell a few parts from, I pitch a tent on it and stay there, $95 for the whole time and the convienence of not having to lug around stuff I buy. But to just walk around and look, especially if its your first time... I would spend at least two days, Thursday and Friday. I understand the weekend days are fairly crowded...
All of Duke's advice is spot on, water, sun screene, wide hat, add confortable shoes to that list...
Jim

[John O.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Hi Greg

For the 2 times I went, it took me on average, 7 hours to walk the swap meet area and just look over some cars. I did not get to see everything. Expect it to be a long day and bring a paper boy bag to carry parts or a wagon. And bring plenty of cold water.

Good luck.....John

[Christopher R.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

You can always find a hotel room around Harrisburg. 30 minute drive at most.

Carlisle is big. Lotta walking. If it's not hot, it's raining.

Believe you'd be hard pressed to see all the parts vendors in 1 day. Then there's BS'ing with the vendors; looking at the cars for sale; and, digging through boxes. Don't believe 1 day is enough.

[Tom S.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Greg
It is my first time also. We are flying into Harrisburg on Thursday.I am looking for a nice C-2 coupe, so I plan on getting in there first thing on Friday.I got a place near the airport but that was months ago. I just tried for you and they are full up!But try around Harrisburg or Hershy you may have more luck.I am really looking forward to it.And Joe Lucia said he would be there I have to meet him in person. Tom

[Patrick H.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

There are times I can't do it all in 2 days, so I can't imagine seeing it all in one day. Bring plenty of $1 and $5 bills to spend on things to drink (unless you take frozen water bottles as per Gary). It's easy to get dehydrated and end up with one heck of a headache.

Have a list of those few things that you really want to find. Maybe you'll get lucky and find them, but I note that if I focus on just a couple of items, my odds of finding them is better.

The fun display is really nothing but the Corvette parking lot. I'm actually sick and tired of all the different "collector edition" cars getting the best parking and taking up the middle of the event, as once you're seen one of them....

I stay in York, but that's partially because I used to live there.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed - and have fun!

Patrick

[Chuck R.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Hey Greg,

Try Red Roof Inns in the Harrisburg area.

On my first foray into the world of Corvette Swap meets, heres the results.

My first mistake was that I planned on just buying water as I needed it.........wrong! Waiting in lines with loose parts in hand isn't fun.

My second was not planning on a means to carry what I picked up. After I tromped my second arm load of goodies back to my rig, the old gent who's yard I was parked in asked if I wanted to borrow a five gallon pail? After I got through kissing his dirty old shoes I was off again. I now use a hand truck with a couple of five gallon pails lashed to it. Waaay easier!!

If the suns out, you'll get cooked without sun screen and glasses. The air tends to be dead between the isles.

If you see a guy Saturday wearing a "red" Red Sox hat and a safety yellow/green tee shirt, that would be me, give me a shout.

Chuck

[Joseph R.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

If you have military access, Carlisle Barracks is almost within walking distance, relatively inexpensive, secure, plus the extras that go with a military base. I am referring to the "hotel" aspect, like NAVY Lodge etc, not the service person barracks/quarters!
C Ya, Joseph Rock
Frankenstein 59 (will be at Carlisle in 2009)

[Chuck S.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

A Sox hat in Nuh Yawk??!!...Your neighbors must shun you. Maybe you only wear it when you're out of town.

[Gary Schisler]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

I tried Carlisle Barracks for 15 years and spent a grand total of two nights there. Of course, the convenience of staying three miles from the entrance is nice.

Gary
ps, and of course the price is great.

[Greg L.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Great advice guys and thanks. I'll look into some of those places and try and find one to stay at and I don't mind the drive if I have too as I'm driving down from Ontario anyways! I think I was spoiled at my first major corvette event last winter in Kissimmee because I stayed at the Seralogo?...which was about a 5 minuite walk to the meet!

For Carlisle I'm going mostly for the experience. I have a small list and I'll bring my backpack for some of the smaller things for my 69 if I see something that I need. The only bigger "thing" that I'm looking for is a C3 tri-power, vert project and I don't think that will fit in my backpack anyways so I should be okay!

Oh, does anyone know what time the swap meet and cars for sale sections open and close? I couldn't find that info on their web site so either I'm blind or it isn't listed.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

You can get in @ 8 AM or before, but very few are open for business before about 9 AM. Too much partying I expect!

[Dick W.]

Re: Looking for some Carlisle advice

Saturday morning you need to be well on your way at 8 or before. This is THE big day and traffic can become brutal