2024 Old Car Festival - Greenfield Village

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

....also, for those who just want to see last year's video with an abundance of Model-As, click on this link;

https://youtu.be/WbH8I_z4p5Q?si=C_R8fOCwfC2RpRM_

( Shameless plug for me at 16:53, -and with one of my 'candles' half burning at 19:09. )


In all seriousness, this event should be on every Model-Aer's bucket list to attend at least once in their lifetime.

[Canton_Model_A's]

on the first link from Brent, that is me in the '29 at around the 5 minute mark.

[Canton_Model_A's]

Just an FYI for the 2024 OCF at Greenfield Village, if you are coming in from out of town, they are doing construction on Oakwood Blvd. Not sure if it will be done by the time the Festival starts.

Just be aware you might have to detour to get in.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

[henry's 31]

Hi Brent:


Can you post a photo of those great cars you are taking.


Al

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by henry's 31

Hi Brent:


Can you post a photo of those great cars you are taking.


Al

Al, if you look at post 13 above, I think there may be some there. I'll put a few more on below taken recently that shows my son driving the 1909 with my grandson riding in a car seat that we built a special bracket for. Also, on the tour in Cadillac, MI last week, we had a couple of days where we 'tailgated' for lunch. That salesman's box sure came in handy. Plus below is a link to a small video of Missie driving me on some of the backroad backroads...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0IvdfFGNIg


.

[ModelA29]

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This is the best SoCal show - and tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOhc6RRIlOY
Leno brings something unusual every year and generally Randy Ema is with him.

[Smokedtires]

I'll be there along with another A member

Those are beautiful cars Brent. I look forward to seeing your cars and maybe you as well.

[Canton_Model_A's]

7 days and counting until the OCF begins. Look forward to meeting everyone from the Barn.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

7 days and counting until the OCF begins. Look forward to meeting everyone from the Barn.

Yes, ...and even less than that for some of us. Missie and I are going to participate in the Lansing Reliability Run this year with the '09, which is exciting for us since most of the other cars participating will be 1 & 2 cylinder & steam cars. We actually have a driver's meeting first thing on Thursday morning and then we all leave for the 100 mile all-day jaunt to Lansing. There should be several Model-As on this tour, ...but just not the 1928-'31 ones. We should be returning to Greenfield on Friday afternoon, and hopefully be ready to play with everyone at OCF on Saturday. Come find us in your travels around the village and we will try to do the same.

[AL in NY]

How do you get invited to participate in the festival?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by AL in NY

How do you get invited to participate in the festival?

The invitation is more of a submittal of a Participant Application (-generally around June 1st of each year), -and the acceptance is by a committee of volunteers who choose vehicles they feel make their event interesting to the paying spectators. From my observations, it is a balance between uniqueness vs. quantity. Since in their eyes, a 2nd generation Model-A is not really unique unless it has a rare bodystyle, or provenance, or verifiable history in which their audience will get excited about. They want their show to be different. Often times an unrestored vehicle that has a theme will be accepted over a nicely restored vehicle.

I have been in this hobby for over 60 years where I have participated in many, many tours and shows around the country, -and even built & toured custom show cars on a circuit for several years, ...and for me OCF far exceeds the expectations of what you see at Hershey for 1932 & older vehicles. The only shows that I feel might rival OCF might be events such as Amelia and Pebble.

I honestly feel everyone here should make the trek to OCF at least once as a spectator. When you first participate as a spectator of OCF, you don't need to worry about dealing with your own vehicle as most people will tell you that they can be a distraction. Instead spend the day walking the village sidewalks looking at vehicles that interest you and making new friends. There are several 'barners that will be there that you can interact with and even have a ride around the village in their vehicle. Come find me and we will go for a ride. Then after your first weekend you find yourself wanting to come back, then submit an application next June.

[Canton_Model_A's]

Ok, did a drive down to the Village last night to get the packet. As most have probably seen, Oakwood is under construction and we shift to the right after you turn off of Michigan Ave. I will be getting there around 3:30ish just to get in line and to get to my spot from last year. Do be aware that there is construction going on inside the village as well. Look forward to seeing all the members of the 'Barn'

Be Safe!

Dave

[Canton_Model_A's]

For those that have come to the Festival, I am just up from the pond with the covered bridge.

[Smokedtires]

Wow, what a show! I brought 2 chairs along and never took them out, just so much to see and do. So glad I was able to go.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Smokedtires

Wow, what a show! I brought 2 chairs along and never took them out, just so much to see and do. So glad I was able to go.

So, ...now that you have experienced it, will it become an annual event for you, -or was it a one-time deal for you??

[AzBob]

Really enjoyed the OCF this year.

Just one comment. Last time I attended, (2019) they were running the Model T and AA bus rides along with the OCF participant cars. This disappointment made for a lot of extra walking as I usually took the AA bus when tired of walking to get off at different locations within the village. Anyone know why they discontinued the rides?

The only ride available was the steam trains. However, only three boarding / departure points and long lines to board.

There was a hint that if one was lucky, you could get a ride in an OCF participant car. For us, this did not happen as most cars were full with participant friends or family.

Just an observation.

[Smokedtires]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

So, ...now that you have experienced it, will it become an annual event for you, -or was it a one-time deal for you??

Not every year, but would like to go back in 2026. We arrived Saturday morning in a 1910 Pullman the fine owner offered to give us a ride from the parking lot.

A shuttle through the village would be a great option. Maybe they'll restart this again soon.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Smokedtires

Not every year, but would like to go back in 2026. We arrived Saturday morning in a 1910 Pullman the fine owner offered to give us a ride from the parking lot.

A shuttle through the village would be a great option. Maybe they'll restart this again soon.

The issue with running the busses or the Village's Model-Ts during OCF is that these add to the congestion, ...which in times past can get pretty bad. You experienced this year when car count was down because of the construction and lack of support vehicle parking areas, and attendance was down, -likely because of the low temperatures.

As far as being shuttled, let me know next time and I'll be glad to come to the parking lot and pick y'all up. We did that twice this year for previous attendees (-one was a widow who had come for years with her husband and came back to visit friends at the village).

Also, if you see certain cars that are being driven inside the village, feel free to ask them if they give rides. I hauled a 12 y.o. boy whose grandpa works at Gilmore around the village about 3-4 laps. He said that was the oldest Model-T he had ever ridden in. During the gaslight parade, Missie was driving the '09 and I was in the '14 right behind her. Three people were spectating across from the Carousel and saw our Tennessee license plates so they hollered at us. The next lap they were still standing there and so Missie asked them if they wanted to ride. They jumped in and rode until the parade was over. They lived outside of Nashville and one of the guys said he last attended OCF in the late '70s, so he wanted to bring his friends for the day. They were beyond thrilled. Many participants are all too glad to give people rides, so feel free to ask for rides next time y'all come.

[Smokedtires]

That is great to know for next time! Maybe one day I'll join you for the haul, I'm hoping to leave NY for eastern TN in about 6 years when retired. Of course I'll also be looking for some new wrenching opportunities with my free schedule

[fried okra]

East TN is a good place to live.