2023 Hershey

[nelsb01]

Hey..........no one is talking about it.
Arrived at 3:20 pm eastern time to 82 degree weather after a 1119 mile drive.

It's hot at home -- they cancelled the Twin Cities Marathon due to the temperature in Minneapolis/St Paul. 88 degrees.

Sorry -- back to Hershey. Looks like the fields are ready. Hershey Park is open and we saw the roller coasters running. There is 14 of them by the way.

Looks like a great week to be in PA. (but I have been wrong before).

[ndnchf]

The weather looks great. I'll be there tomorrow!

[mercman from oz]

Wish I was there?

[Tim Ayers]

See you all tomorrow. Let’s go!!!!!!

[Yoyodyne]

Just in case anyone is feeling nostalgic about the "good old days" at Hershey - 1990 fall meet mud - https://youtu.be/fNtODrWKsk8?si=xacWNZD4Zu5J302a&t=589

[deuce_roadster]

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I was there that year and remember it well! Cool thing was a UPS stall in the middle of the Chocolate field where you could drop stuff off, they boxed and weighed it, you filled out the shipping label, paid and went back out and bought more! For me living on the opposite side of the country, the parts got home about the same time I did. Was a real nice service but a few years later it was discontinued for some reason.

[BoxCar Tom]

Anybody know the spot numbers for Michael - 3rd Gen at Hershey ?

[DavidG]

Directly opposite the AACA tent and permanent toilet facilities in the middle of the Chocolate field.

[Zeke3]

Michael posted a map of the meet showing his location on Instagram this morning, look at @thirdgenauto.

[richard crow]

there were a lot more stuff & much better prices. very much has changed since 1990 & not for the better

[nelsb01]

It was a warm one out there today.
Sadly saw two people ride the ambulance out of the field. Hope they are alright.
Got the wooden nickel when I purchased the Hershey program. Noticed that it only listed future dates through 2025.
Asked at the Hershey Region AACA souvenir tent what that meant -- the reply was that their contract currently only goes through 2025.
Hmmmmm.
They say tomorrow will be another warm one. Covered about 7 miles of asphalt today.

[Pat/Ohio]

I will be set up early Wednesday morning and leaving Thursday afternoon. Have some '32 stuff. CL-9 & 10.

Pat

[ronn]

Asked at the Hershey Region AACA souvenir tent what that meant -- the reply was that their contract currently only goes through 2025.
Hmmmmm


dont be surprised if it gets moved. after all chocolate is now being made in Mexico.........
combining Hershey into Carlisle makes sense, as each yr, the vendors become less and less.

[nelsb01]

Warm one.
Where is everyone? The crowds reminded me of what used to be Fridays crowd.

Saw a lot of familar faces --- and more golf carts than are on a golf course.

Hung out until 4:30 pm. About a half hour longer than usual.

[ndnchf]

I walked green, orange and half of north chocolate today. 8 hours of walking. Back at it tomorrow ��

[35fordtn]

Originally Posted by nelsb01

Warm one.
Where is everyone? The crowds reminded me of what used to be Fridays crowd.

Saw a lot of familar faces --- and more golf carts than are on a golf course.

Hung out until 4:30 pm. About a half hour longer than usual.

Lots of early v-8 familiar faces for sure. Bruce sadly everyone that usually stops by that I know well is at the Gathering at the Rock event that was stupidly scheduled this week. There was several other large events last week too.
I feel like on the buying side over done better this year than normal. Lots of big vendors seem to have not decided to come back sadly. Certainly gets smaller every year. I sure do miss the way It was 10-15 years ago

[Oldbluoval]

Ecclesiastes 3…..to every thing there is a season

I haven’t been in 5 years now….and sure miss it. But, like 35, miss it the way it used to be. It’s said that you’re getting old when you like everything the way it used to be…I’m there! Change is inevitable but usually we recognize the negative change; that’s me!

From what I hear, the car show has become more of a PIA to Herco than it’s worth. I’m guessing the local establishments don’t think so! I know there are (or were) numerous car events at the site. Are those events being squeezed like the fall AACA?

Maybe the show can move to Mexico too? OMG

[richard crow]

you can thank pa tax greed why the big venders are not there

[nelsb01]

Another hot one -- ditto.
More people walking around today. Maybe they cant get Tuesday off??
Glad to see that.
Lots of family's with kids in cool strollers. Old car themed. One kid was riding in a 57 Chrysler rear body -- cut down so it had the fins and tail lights. Creative parents.

[mhsprecher]

I’ve seen the kids in those strollers/wagons before. I took a pic and will post it

[ndnchf]

I've been having a great time buying original cutouts and generators for rebiilding. This is my haul from tuesday, yesterday was similar. I sold a couple of my restored generators too. Back to south chocolate today 😀

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I've been having a great time buying original cutouts and generators for rebiilding. This is my haul from tuesday, yesterday was similar. I sold a couple of my restored generators too. Back to south chocolate today 😀

[ronn]

you can thank pa tax greed why the big venders are not there



Richard, I am sure that wasnt a help in the last few yrs. Why so many people throw a couple of items on a table and a dollar lock box with it.



I do remember Dennis carpenter coming with a few phones. you stopped at his spot and ordered by phone. No PA tax.........


same thing happened on ebay and sales have gone markedly down. Instant tax collection.

[nelsb01]

EOJ..............end of job.
Closed up around 2:30 pm. Another day with a crowd, but not like years past. Took in a little of the race car condition run. Not as many as before but the announcing was top notch and informative.
Overall walked 90% of the Orange, Green, Chocolate and Red fields. The electronic pedometer said 26.39 miles. Gee, I am a marathoner.
Not coming home with much, but it is better being here than not being here and hearing --- 'Gee guess what you missed'.
Car show tomorrow and will try and catch the vehicles driving onto the field. That is much more interesting than looking at them parked. They say it could be misting -- if that is the case, plan B will take over -- "check out the antique stores".

[nelsb01]

Plan B is in effect.
Got up and the window and hotel parking lot are wet wet wet.

Still good places to go, great places to eat and now I have a better tan than I had when I arrived.

See you next year --- October 8 - 11, 2024 (direct from the wooden nickel)

[Jeff/Illinois]

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Originally Posted by ronn

you can thank pa tax greed why the big venders are not there



you stopped at his spot and ordered by phone. No PA tax.........


same thing happened on ebay and sales have gone markedly down. Instant tax collection.

I quit attending events where they are sticking you for sales tax. Iowa has done it for years with auctions. And E-Bay?? Is THAT still around?? That's how often I look at that crap.....

Tax tax tax, the 'best' way certain people want to control you and steal from you.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

I quit attending events where they are sticking you for sales tax. Iowa has done it for years with auctions. And E-Bay?? Is THAT still around?? That's how often I look at that crap.....

Tax tax tax, the 'best' way certain people want to control you and steal from you.

It's interesting, for years they use to make announcements about the tax thing for vendors. This year, not a peep.

[38 coupe]

I find it interesting that Hershey is shrinking. Pate down in Texas is still growing, we expect to exceed 10,000 spaces next spring. What is happening in the northeast?

[mhsprecher]

Crowds were way down, but it is still one of the greatest shows on earth. Apparently Herco wants the amusement park open, so AACA gets the shaft. The collateral business to the community has to be huge. To me it is a case of corporate greed pitted against the best interests of the community. Hopefully they can work something out. I can't imagine where they could get similar space with all the facilities they need, but I am sure folks are working on it.

[Pete/Ct.]

Best Hershey ever, I even sold some stuff. Cant wait til next year.

[Pat/Ohio]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I've been having a great time buying original cutouts and generators for rebiilding. This is my haul from tuesday, yesterday was similar. I sold a couple of my restored generators too. Back to south chocolate today 😀

Thanks for stopping by my space and sharing your expertise with the cutouts and generators! Enjoyed your visit!

Stay Safe,
Pat
CL-9

[woodiewagon46]

This was our 55th year and I would rate it in the top 5. Great weather even with the early Friday showers.

[sawzall]

I was only able to attend for 3 days. tues / wed / thurs.
I managed to trade parts for parts.. my expenses were food and fuel.


had a visit with friends from far and wide, offered my 29 wagon for sale.. and might even have a buyer.

as the kids say i rate it as a 10/10 for 2023!!!

[Yoyodyne]

I see a mobility scooter definitely is in my future for next year. Has anyone here rented one on-site?

[Model51]

I had a great time at Hershey this year. Gave away some stuff, got some things for free, got a bunch of great parts at very reasonable prices. Lot's of great conversations and catching up with folks from all over. Even bumped into my best friend from high school and we graduated in 1974!! Walked 32 miles over 4 days and looking forward to doing it again next year.

[Brewsterbuff]

Old time commitments to be kept, OR PROBABLY NOT! I have been a member of AACA, along with several different Regions, since about 1955. I was from the Philadelphia area, where it all started, and many of the original founders were still active in those Regions. Since I was a young guy I didn't travel with the ruling class, but I did have a good idea of what was going on and I knew several of them.
This is what I remember from those times!

When AACA outgrew the area at the Devon Horse Show grounds MILTON HERSHEY (an AACA member and active in the local regions) offered the Hershey Park grounds for the Fall Meet. The story, 'as I remember it', was that Mr. Hershey, PERSONALLY, offered the grounds to be available for the Fall meet "forever". Since the HERSHEY REGION was chosen to be the HOST for the Fall Meet, it was decided that they would continue to be the host. ?? FOREVER ?? This is why the other meets go from region to region but the fall Meet is always in Hershey and Hershey Region is always the host!
I am sure those "Founding Fathers" never imagined that their little hobby get-together would grow to the event as it is today!

At age 86 I am beginning to realize that 'NOTHING IS FOREVER'!

[V8ER]

Best Hershey sales ever. Nearly sold out.

[nelsb01]

Drove past the fields this morning at 730 am
There wasnt a line up to get into the parking lot like there was earlier in the week.
Maybe the rain had something to do with it.
I am thinking that that Hershey Park didnt set an attendance record today.

As the guy at the AACA tent said -- Herco is not the same Herco from years past.

[greenie-reddy]

Hmmmm, Milton died in 1945, 9 years (almost to the day) before the first show at Hersheypark- October 1954. The Hershey Region has published a better history- but from memory: There was a Hershey executive who offered the grounds after the Club needed to vacate the Derry Horse facility. Before the second year, the Hershey Region was formed and took over the show from the Pottstown Region. There has never been a “permanent” commitment from Hershey to host the show. The park typically shuts down daily operations before October 1, so the arrangement benefited both parties. As our weather has become warmer in early October, the Hershey company (HERCO) decided to open on weekends leading up to Halloween. It is unfortunate that working folks who cannot take off are not able to attend. For many years you could arrive early Saturday and see the entire swap meet and the car show. And many, many, school age children ( the future of our hobby) are unable to attend the Fall Meet unless they skip school.

[Brewsterbuff]

So, I guess it could not have been Milton, but evidently his executive had an idea of his wishes had he still been around.

[Old Redneck]

Hershey over now and most are on there way home or already home. I did not attend Hershey this year as I would have like to. I still did buy a couple of things from Pat Fenner. What a nice person. When I first went to the National Meet did not know anyone Pat came up to me and made me fell welcome. I never forget that. Hope everyone had a good time. Sure did enjoy the pictures of Hershey. Thanks

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Number of vendors and buyers were down by a good margin compared to previous years. Crowd seemed to thin out by 1-1:30 - heat maybe? We vend in the orange field and it seemed the orange and green fields were busier than the choc and red fields. Supposedly they are negotiating right now for the new contract. Remember that Nestles owns Hershey Park - nothing to do with Chocolate prices. It may be moved/downsized - a possible. In my estimation close to 30% of vendor spaces were empty. Definitely not good. I also heard from a few vendors and buyers that 70s and 80s cars are presently the hot ticket both in parts and car sales. At the high high prices of parts that were in Hershey, I can certainly see the interest in 70s and 80s cars just by cost factor alone. Fingers crossed there will still be Hershey - somewhere - regardless ….

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Imho Monday, setup day, was the best day vending save for the last 2 people to buy from me late Thursday that put me in the pink. Everything else was nickel and dime stuff that was purchased.

[mhsprecher]

This is a pic of the kids in the special wagon. The family had two, but I only got this one. I saw them a few years ago and took a pic then, too. Pretty cool.

[nelsb01]

That's the one.
Pretty cool, but it must also be not a light weight stroller.

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by mhsprecher

This is a pic of the kids in the special wagon. The family had two, but I only got this one. I saw them a few years ago and took a pic then, too. Pretty cool.

[Clem Clement]

We have the train show at York coming up week after next. Hope to see some car guys there.
The world is changing. Folks are not interested in old car parts and the study thereof. Same for trains. As our hobbies decline, we can think warmly about the "good old days" and let our parts piles go while they are some valuable. (It does hurt a bit, tho.) Smokey(pictured) move on to our Model Club VP. My '39 peecup to a dear neighbor friend. (The oldy truuuuck still gathers the chicks, I hear...

Clem

[nelsb01]

Trains............another subject.
Well Clem not all train equipment is showing signs of losing favor.
On the way home from Hershey we drove northwest to Rockhill Furnace PA and visited the East Broad Top Railway. There were vehicles in the parking lot from all over the USA. Just like the lots at Hershey. So.........big train equipment still draws a crowd.

[32phil]

This was my 50th consecutive year attending.
YIKES!
It was the hottest I remember.
I walked every inch of it one end to the other. Blazing hot all four days.
Not bad for 75 yrs. old. Paid for it over the weekend though!
Got new spots this year.
Moved from the Red field pole 3 to Chocolate North pole 36.
Lots more foot traffic and more centrally located.
Monday, set up day was OK some bargains and early bird finds.
Tuesday still some empty spaces but folks still rolling in and setting up.
Wednesday pretty full, with some empty spaces. Decent crowds.
Thursday was busy in the morning. Decent crowds.
By 2PM Thursday many vendors were starting to pack up.
Last year I went to the fields on Friday morning, it was a ghost town.
This year we went home straight from the Hotel never went near the fields it was raining anyway.
I have 3 spaces and I share them with a friend. We sell parts off the spaces every year. He sells Chevy stuff (yeah, I know) I sell some Ford stuff and have my Lock & key sign up too.
I already put a deposit down for the Hotel $180 plus I'm going to purchase my 3 spots again in December 2023 for $270 plus the Porta Potty for another $180.
Basically, attending Hershey as a vendor is a commitment made a year in advance.
This year my friend fell ill at the last minute and didn't come at all.
That left 2 spaces paid for but not occupied.
Not an indication of lack of interest but just life happens.
It would be interesting to get the real facts from the AACA.
How many spots were available VS. how many were bought and paid for in advance.
That's the true measure of what's happening.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I agree - it’s just disconcerting with the number of empty vendor spots regardless if the reasoning. Just by the nature of the fact that you were able to get spots in the chocolate field - that was near impossible a few years ago. But, if anything is a constant, it’s change. I just hope the show continues n any way, shape, or form …..

[woodiewagon46]

Something that I noticed that no one else is bring up. In the past, four years of future dates for the HERSHEY meet were printed on the wooden nickels that the AACA gives out. The 2023 nickel only has two years listed. Are they trying to tell us something? This was my 55th year and I would rate it in my top three. Yes I also noticed a lot of empty flea market spaces.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by woodiewagon46

Something that I noticed that no one else is bring up. In the past, four years of future dates for the HERSHEY meet were printed on the wooden nickels that the AACA gives out. The 2023 nickel only has two years listed. Are they trying to tell us something? This was my 55th year and I would rate it in my top three. Yes I also noticed a lot of empty flea market spaces.

I noticed as well and asked an AACA volunteers about that. They said the contract for the park ends after the 2025 show. That's why the wooden nickels only go out to 2025.

The Hershey region AACA and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts are currently negotiating on grounds usage past 2025.

The volunteers made it seems the park's current owner does not want the show on the grounds any longer and it's the negotiations are tough going.

[Model51]

Here's the annual wooden nickel for 2023. From what I heard, the dates are the only ones for which AACA has a contract. After 2025, who knows at this point.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I noticed as well and asked an AACA volunteers about that. They said the contract for the park ends after the 2025 show. That's why the wooden nickels only go out to 2025.

The Hershey region AACA and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts are currently negotiating on grounds usage past 2025.

The volunteers made it seems the park's current owner does not want the show on the grounds any longer and it's the negotiations are tough going.

Originally Posted by Model51

Here's the annual wooden nickel for 2023. From what I heard, the dates are the only ones for which AACA has a contract. After 2025, who knows at this point.

See post #11 page 1!!! Bruce Nelson brought this up!!!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Model51

Here's the annual wooden nickel for 2023. From what I heard, the dates are the only ones for which AACA has a contract. After 2025, who knows at this point.

[Ronnieroadster]

This year Hershey seemed a bit different I was expecting a lot more people and plenty of venders as others have already written that was not the case.
So when I was tired I decide to simply lay down for a while until things picked up.
Ronnieroadster

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

This year Hershey seemed a bit different I was expecting a lot more people and plenty of venders as others have already written that was not the case.
So when I was tired I decide to simply lay down for a while until things picked up.
Ronnieroadster

Love that photo!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Love that photo!

[32phil]

Just very hard to believe that the folks at HERCO would walk away from the revenue stream generated by the show.
I would imagine they receive a considerable amount for the use of the parking lots and facilities. Chocolate World was packed as usual.
Spaces this year were $90 each. I think there was close to 10,000 spaces. Even if Herco got $25 per spot, I would hate to be the guy at the Herco budget meeting that stands up and says, "How about let's kill the car show? We don't need that stupid $250 thousand bucks (or More!) anyway".
I'll bet they are holding the AACA's feet to the fire for set up and cleanup and insurance for the week.
Hopefully they will come to an agreement.
If not, I'm in wherever they wind up.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 32phil

Just very hard to believe that the folks at HERCO would walk away from the revenue stream generated by the show.
I would imagine they receive a considerable amount for the use of the parking lots and facilities. Chocolate World was packed as usual.
Spaces this year were $90 each. I think there was close to 10,000 spaces. Even if Herco got $25 per spot, I would hate to be the guy at the Herco budget meeting that stands up and says, "How about let's kill the car show? We don't need that stupid $250 thousand bucks (or More!) anyway".
I'll bet they are holding the AACA's feet to the fire for set up and cleanup and insurance for the week.
Hopefully they will come to an agreement.
If not, I'm in wherever they wind up.

Well said. Plus, I can only assume it gives the local economy quite a boost as well.

I'm not buying that the park wants the grounds cleared for visitors. Kids are in school, so who is really coming to the park during this week?

I'm sure places like the Parkside, etc. need Hershey week for their overall bottom line.

[nelsb01]

Back in the day when my ride to Hershey shared the cost of the spaces with me ($45- so you know that it was a while ago), he told me that the HERCO gets $30 of that. If that was true, we are talking a lot of money, and probably more than Hershey Park clears in a weekend. By the way a age 9-61 one day ticket to the park costs $74.99.

And -- as mentioned, the surrounding economy gets a boost too.

[woodiewagon46]

I think you are right Tim. The people that go to Hershey Park are day trippers. We, the Hershey swap meet and show people stay in hotels and eat at the restaurants. I would bet that if the Hershey Chamber of Commerce had any input, the swap meet/show would go on forever.

[WRA]

They are reporting over on the HAMB that they were charging to use the Port-a-Jon’s. Is this true?

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by WRA

They are reporting over on the HAMB that they were charging to use the Port-a-Jon’s. Is this true?

No, it is not. There are attendants that you can tip, but it's up to you. I always did.

[flatjack9]

Those attendants do a great job of keeping the johns clean.

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally Posted by flatjack9

Those attendants do a great job of keeping the johns clean.

Agreed.

[DavidG]

And they have been a part of the Hershey event for at least the last 50 years.

[GearHeadDiver]

It was Great!
Couldnt have asked for better weather.

Had Zero luck locating a set of good 34 hubcaps...and am still kicking myself for missing out on a good set of finned aluminum Nailhead valve covers...we were 50 apart and by the time i decided, he was gone...🙄☹️

[Yoyodyne]

This was posted on the Hershey Region FB page -



"For those of you fretting about the future of the Eastern Fall Meet at Hershey, here’s two pieces of information for you. First, a statement from current Hershey Region president, Jay Robertson:

“Hershey Region of AACA intends, and is actively planning, to continue hosting the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey at its current location for many years into the future.”

And this
The Evolution of the Fall Meet Wooden Nickel

The wooden nickel changed in 2023. It evolved from displaying the next four Fall Meet dates to displaying the next two Fall Meet dates. Changes to the wooden nickel is not a new concept. In 2022, the wooden nickels went from four future dates to three dates.

Prior to 2022, the wooden nickels had four years of upcoming Fall Meet dates. Why does the wooden nickel change? It’s basically one of the “executive” decisions that the Fall Meet Chairman makes. This year, the Fall Meet Chairman decided the wooden nickels would have two lines of dates to make it easier for aging eyes to read. Will the wooden nickel change again? It’s a possibility. As Hershey Region reviews previous Fall Meet items and plans changes that will improve the visitors experience, the wooden nickel and other aspects of the Fall Meet will come under review and face the possibility of change.

[Jeff/Illinois]

That pretty well says it all

I wouldn't get in a tizzy about Hershey going away .

By the way YoYo--- beautiful PU in your avatar like it!!

It is awfully hard to beat a '35 or a '36 Ford PU----

[Ziggster]

Was only my second trip. Last was 2019 just before the Covid lockdowns. Seemed like less cars and less vendors. Booked my hotel only a couple days before and thought it would be almost impossible to get a room, but no problem. Was there Wed/Thurs. Wed was hot for a Canuck. Spent about 11 hrs walking those two days. Would get there just after it opened and was surprised to see lots of booths/stalls still “closed”. Just don’t understand why you would go to the trouble/expense to get a booth and not be open when the event opens. Even at 9:00 there were a few still “closed”.
In the end, I’m glad I went. Talked to a few of the vendors. All great folks. Got what I was looking for (wide five rims/hubs) on the first day by 8:30 which was a bonus because of the heat. Will keep going as long as I can.

[nelsb01]

Yes -- lodging has improved greatly in the last 6 years. The Mom & Pop motels have been over taken by the big chain names and there has been a massive building spree.

You used to drive down Chocolate Avenue and all you would see was No Vacancy signs lite up.
This year the remaining Mom & Pop motels had vacancy signs. We moved into one of the new places two years ago when our 30 year Mom & Pop closed. A sign of the times. Many of the Mom & Pop motels have not kept up with the times and the changing requirements of travelers.

[Model51]

There is also RV and tent camping right across Hershey Park Drive opposite the Giant Center. I tent camp along with several other guys and it only cost around $100 each for, three nights and a fantastic breakfast cooked to order every morning, and parking is included. Showers just past the end of the Red field for $7. It's not for everyone but I do it for the comradery and to spend money on parts instead of hotels.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Model51

There is also RV and tent camping right across Hershey Park Drive opposite the Giant Center. I tent camp along with several other guys and it only cost around $100 each for, three nights and a fantastic breakfast cooked to order every morning, and parking is included. Showers just past the end of the Red field for $7. It's not for everyone but I do it for the comradery and to spend money on parts instead of hotels.