Author Topic: Reports on shows we have been to. 2005 (25 posts)  (Read 10855 times)

Offline Sassafras

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Reports on shows we have been to. 2005 (25 posts)
« on: October 21, 2006, 11:10:59 AM »
(This was first written on Apr 21, 2005 on our Proboards site.  The posts date to Aug 12, 2005 and includes a total of 25 posts.)

Reports on shows we have been to. 2005
? Thread Started on Apr 21, 2005, 8:03am ?    

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The Giant Motorcycle Swap meets held in Michigan are really great. Lots of parts and lots of accessories and for vendors lots of people.

They are held in Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, and Birch Run in the spring and Detroit and Grand Rapids in the fall.

Go to our links page at www.misfitscentral.net to find the link for these swap meets.  

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #1 on Apr 21, 2005, 8:07am ?    

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There are two shows in Maumee and Lima, OH that are promoted by the same promoter that are going downhill fast. We are not going to attend any in the future, unless promoters change. They are not promoted, so there are not a lot of customers that come through. Since the customer count is going down, some of the better vendors have quit doing the show, such as us.

It ain't going to get better.  >:(

Sad for us, because this is at least three dates we have to try to fill. But don't waste your time going to these shows. They stink.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #2 on Apr 21, 2005, 8:10am ?    

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One of the newer promoters in this area is Paragon Promotions. We are pleased to do Gil's shows. At the present he is promoting swapmeets in South Bend and Fort Wayne in the spring as well as the fall. The spring shows rock and the one fall show we did didn't.

Gil also promotes two different vendor shows in Baldwin, MI at the Blessing of the Bikes. Both of these are good/to excellant and I am not sure there is a bad spot.  

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #3 on Apr 28, 2005, 10:28pm ?    

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We just finished our indoor circuit for the year. We worked in Birch Run last Sunday, April 24, the day of the blizzard. Believe it or not, Birch Run area had 8 to 10 inches Sat night and Sunday.

And the bikers still packed the arena. This was the first time we worked in this arena. This show replaced Saginaw, which used to be held in March in the Civic Center. We weren't sure how the move would effect the show and when the snow started, we really didn't have much expectations.

Staton Lorenz did one hell of a job promoting the show and everybody had a good time with a lot of parts and special hard to find things going out the door in bags. I would suggest this show can only get better.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #4 on May 16, 2005, 11:51pm ?    

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May 7th, we were in Clio, MI. for the Ride for the Burns, an ABATE sponsored event. There was an excellant turnout, with a few thousand bikers riding from the IMA in Flint to the Fireman's park in Clio.

If you are from the southeastern part of Michigan, this is a good and worthy event to ride in.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #5 on May 16, 2005, 11:53pm ?    

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Well, another Blessing of the Bikes in Baldwin is finished. It was cold and wet and yet still well over 10,000 bikers showed up. Actually, Saturday was busier than Sunday, mainly because of the weather. We had day riders in town from as far away as Indiana, that were planning on returning home Sat. evening. If you have never been to the Blessing of the Bikes in Baldwin, you get some hardy gear to wear and attend it at least once.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #6 on May 16, 2005, 11:58pm ?    

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I apologize to the Lakeshore Blessing of the Bikes, held in Holland, MI on May 1st. I should have written this report earlier. It was a nice event with about 750 bikers attending. I just received a letter from the committee that sponsors the event with an accounting of the number of bikes, cars/trucks attending and an accounting of the amount of money collected. This is the only event that has ever bothered to actually account for their actions.

We will continue to attend this event as a sponsor and will help to support this organization in any way we can. It is a pleasure to work with sincere individuals that are trying to make a difference in this world.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #7 on May 26, 2005, 4:54pm ?    

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If you notice we didn't attend the Fostoria Tribesmen Swapmeet this year, then good for you. If you thought we did attend, but didn't remember seeing us there, then you need your head examined. If there is the slightest chance you remember seeing us there and vaguely remember purchasing something from us but can't remember on your life what it was, then there is no help for you and your friends will be able to testify to that.  :o

Hope the show went well for everyone that attended.  ;D

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Valpofest...Labor Day weekend


What can I say about Valpofest? We met a lot of nice people from northern Indiana and Chicago area and the promoters simply lied. At one time they were announcing they had 6000 motorcycles in the parking lot, a new Valpofest record.

Have you ever seen 6000 motorcycles parked together? It is a sight to behold. Along with 6000 motorcycles, one would expect 8000 to 9000 riders. Wouldn't you?

Well, they weren't there. Or if they were there, they were somewhere other than where we were. My guess would be more in the 1500 bikes and a couple of thousand bikers. Why do promoters lie? AAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!

On top of that, there were 8 sunglass sellers in our row and the next. What's that about. Most of them were flea marketers selling cheap acrylic glasses, such as 2 for $5.00, glasses that a biker should never wear if they like their eyes.

It was what we call a "Real-Estate" Show. One the promoter simply sells spots to anybody that comes along. A very well printed brochure and web-site with little to offer once you are there. Cross this one off for the future.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #9 on Jun 6, 2005, 8:30am ?    

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Mackinac City, MI, June3, 4, 5.

Another, let's throw a bike show and make a lot of money gig.

We love Mackinac City. Four days up there is always nice, but when you attend a motorcycle show, you would expect to see a lot of motorcycles.

We did meet a lot of new people from northern Michigan and Canada. I was surprised at how many Canadians came down from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on day trips Friday and Saturday. Great people all.

Now the show itself. I didn't get it. I'm not sure what the show was. The promoters charged $20 a person for ???????. Well one thing the arm band got the participant was the right to enter the vendor area. There were 14 vendors. That was it. What else the $20 got the riders was never clear to me. Wait a minute, they got to ride across the bridge, I guess.

Total participants ???????? I don't know because when I asked the promoter on Sunday, he said he wasn't sure. I said of course you are and he didn't reply. So I will estimate about 300 to 350 bikes.

Most of the vendors left Saturday evening. On Sunday they had a 'Blessing of the Bikes' at 11:00 AM. There weren't any bikes there at all. Somebody came to our tent where we were packing up and told us that since there weren't any bikes the pastor was going to bless the vendors.

If I was a part of the planning of this event, I would hang my head in embarrassament. Shame on you.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #10 on Jun 16, 2005, 11:56am ?    

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HOG ROCK

Egads!!!! Gadzooks!!!! What's going on here????

Tim, from Hog Rock, intimated that there were 20,000 participants. Maybe, but I doubt if a third of them owned a motorcycle and probably only half of the owners actually ride their motorcycle.

Look, if you want to attend an all out drunken, sex-filled, nude bodies of all shapes and sizes, well-orchestrated party, then this is the one to go to. But I warn you, don't be surprised at anything you may see. This party reminds me of the Caligula movies of open sex, nudity, drunkeness, and wanton behavior. Do I sound like a prude? I'm not, but this goes over the top for me.

They had 13 bands, the Globe of Death, a comedienne, the Bag Lady, an hypnotist and numerous other activities. Kind of like a school carnival with a lot of sex thrown in.

And while all this is going on, the vendors, most of them motorcycle oriented, sat by themselves pondering the question, "What happened to 'biker' parties." I have never been to a biker party where there was so much open displaying of ugly bodies.

I've come to the conclusion that these parties have been hi-jacked by promoters, calling them 'biker' parties when in reality they could care less if a biker shows up. In fact, if one does show up, the promoter should give them free admission, since they are part of the entertainment..."Look, Buffy, there's a 'real' biker..."

And speaking of hi-jack...It seems that Harley-Davidson was concerned years ago about their image and chose to cut out the 'real' bikers and coddle the yuppies. What they now have is a bunch of drunken owners with very *friendly* wives riding their foreign made pieces of nuts. Knuckleheaded brainless twits that sit in an open field revving their motors to the top to 'out-noise' the other guy. Well if I had too much money, then I guess I could feel free to rev one of these ...so called investments...until they bust. No wonder so many of them run so badly.

Back to the party, if you are a no holds, drink until you fall or somebody that wants to be around other people that are falling from too much drugs or alcohol, then this is the party to go to. It's not rowdy. Remember, these are YUPPIES

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #11 on Jun 24, 2005, 11:57am ?    

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Freedom Rally, Dreamland, Blaney Park, MI

This was supposed to be the last rally held here as Ray passed away last December, but his son asked me Sunday if we were coming back next year. His intention is to hold this rally forever.

It is a good, small rally with a lot of Yoopers and some trolls as well as cheeseheads (wisconson) attending. A great place to find some hardy bikers and to be camped in beautiful Upper Michigan. It is held in Blaney Park, which is a non-town on M77 just north of US 2 and about 20 miles east of Manistique.

Every event we attend this year seems to have more non-bikers with t-shirts and they are consistently irritating. This event had a few as well. Some locals tried to aggravate me. Actually, they were recently moved in locals from southern Michigan, with all the Yuppie baggage they could carry. We really need a filter at the gate to keep these idiots out.

Let me note, the locals generally, here, are great people. I enjoy the Yoopers as a whole and normally the only ones that you could have problems with are recent arrivals.

I asked the one woman, "When are you going to sell your motorcycle and get out of my life?" I found out later she or her old man didn't own a motorcycle. Spit...spit...trying to get the foul taste out of my mouth.

Anyway, if you would like a nice party in pristine territory, then go to the Freedom Rally.

Mick
 
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Algona, Iowa...Freedom Rally

This rally is held at the ABATE property east of Algona, IA. It is the old Humboldt rally. Abate said they had problems with the old property owners in Humboldt and so they bought property in Algona, just 20 some miles north of Humboldt. Hmmmm, this seem to be going on all over the nation with ABATE. It seems they are becoming property owners.

Anyway, we set-up in the Harley-Davidson/John Deere parking lot and have been in the same spot for 4 years. We have no idea what is happening at the ABATE grounds but we have met some great bikers and towns people in the four years we have attended. Saturday reminds me of the Saturday in Baldwin, MI at the Blessing of the Bikes. It is a ride in day with thousands of day-trippers attending. I would say if I was going to attend an event, Saturday alone would make this a worthwhile event to attend.

If you are not from Iowa, prepare yourself for winds and some God awful storms. They have hit us every year we have been there, with this year being hit with quarter size hail stones as well. In spit of that, it always clears up and the event continues.

Hope to see you there.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #13 on Aug 12, 2005, 7:48pm ?    

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We spent Saturday after Algona, IA at the Century Center in South Bend, IN. Gil, from Paragon Leather, promoted the show. Sorry, Gil, but what a joke. Never again, except for spring time in South Bend.  

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #14 on Aug 12, 2005, 7:57pm ?    

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WEST BRANCH HOG Ralley...July 14-17...We set up just south of the Fair Ground entrance in George and Cheri's front yard. They are very nice people, but this event has gone to the dogs. A few years ago, the Dealer's Association, upped the pay at the gate fee to $150. They said they were trying to get rid of the riff-raff. Well they did that. They got rid of all the bikers and turned it into a Prevo RV show. Average income...a zillion dollars...average number of bikers attending...a few. The parade, which lines up in front of George's house was about 10 minutes long. Compare that with a half hour or more in years past. A few bikers still attend, but most of the attendees are the snobbish, yuppie, polyester wearing not a very nice persons I so despise. We will not be going back there.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2006, 11:33:25 AM by Sassafras »


It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. ~~Baha'u'llah

The chief idols in the desecrated temple of mankind are none other than the triple gods of Nationalism, Racialism and Communism, at whose altars governments and peoples, whether democratic or totalitarian, at peace or at war, of the East or of the West, Christian or Islamic, are, in various forms and in different degrees, now worshiping. ~~Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come

Offline Sassafras

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to. 2005
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2006, 11:22:38 AM »
Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #15 on Aug 12, 2005, 8:04pm ?   

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Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia...July 20-24...Freedom Fest.....What a great event. We arrived on Tuesday, July 19 late in the day and set up enough to go to bed. The Freedom Fest started on Thursday, the 21st, but there was a Gold Wing rally going on as well as an HD Dresser rally. So we had bikes of all sorts coming from the time we opened on Wednesday until we broke down on Sunday afternoon.

This is a beautiful area and one worthy of riding to. I would put it on my calendar, if I was you, for next year. The temperatures were lovely, while the rest of the nation roasted.

The event is well run and well promoted. Hope to see you there.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #16 on Aug 31, 2005, 11:06am ?   

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Oops, I just noticed I had already written a post about Snowshoe Mountain Freedom Fest. Well, I am going to leave this in as well.

July 18-24
Snowshoe Mountain, WVA

What an utterly charming show. If you like beautiful scenery and nice people this is a show you need to go to. We set-up at about 2500 feet but could have set-up on the mountain at somewhere around 4300 feet. We liked it down in the valley. There was the Snowshoe Mountain Freedom Fest going on, but the Harley dressers had an event as well and the BMW group showed up and a whole bunch of Goldwings and a whole lot of nice people.

Herb and his wife organize the vendors and do a good job. The temperatures were in the low 80's and high 70's and high 50's at night well the rest of the midwest was in the mid to high 90's.

We'll be going back for a lot of years to come. Hope you join us.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #17 on Aug 31, 2005, 11:15am ?   

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July 28-31
Honda Homecoming...Marysville, OH

Actually we set-up at the Belle-Fontaine Fair Grounds and really enjoyed ourselves. This Honda crowd are a bunch of nice people. The promoters, the town of Belle-Fontaine were exceptionally.

We broke our upper control arm in Eastern Ohio on the way to the event and came in a day late. They were very concerned with our welfare. In fact when I called and said we would be late because of the break, the first response was "Are you OK." Most promoters would be complaining because we weren't going to be there on time. When we got there late in the afternoon on Thursday, I suggested we wait until evening to set-up, so we would be a disturbance in the vendor show. The response was to whisk us into the show area and was told they thought it was important we get set-up quickly since we had just broke down. They were concerned if we didn't get set-up we wouldn't make as much money.

Well, anyway, I don't know how the open-house was itself. We were supposed to go on a vendor tour on Thursday morning, but was broke down in Eastern Ohio, but I didn't hear any complaints.

I would suggest you go so you can see an American Industry at work, the Honda Goldwing Plant, and put aside all the myths of this bike being foreign made. It's a beautiful bike made in an American factory by American workers. 

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #18 on Aug 31, 2005, 11:23am ?   

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August 4-7
Michigan State Goldwing Rally

Well, folks, this is the last time we will be at this rally. We have come here for five years and the attendance has been going down. What a let-down after the Honda Homecoming. It's a shame, because we have managed to find a few loyal customers at this show, that claim to depend on us for the glasses. One young man told us the only reason he rode over that day was to make his annual purchase of glasses from us.

With the attendance going down, our sales have yearly went down and has reached a point of nearly being a losing show. Sassafras and I do not do this to lose money. If that were the case, we would have to have another job to support this one. Ain't going to happen.

So unless something changes, Misfits Central will not be at the Michigan State Gold Wing Rally again.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #19 on Aug 31, 2005, 11:44am ?   

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August 19-21
Sturgis, Mississippi Motorcycle Rally

What can I say. 950 miles for 95 to 103 degree heat and just to be at a town festival. They can call this event what it wants, ibut it is simply a town festival without the carnival. I guess that is why they invite the motorcycles, kind of like a side show for the local farmers, or rednecks, or whatever you call the slow talking, smug, Yankee hating, southern inbred we encountered.

So let's get this straight, this is not a motorcycle event. Sure, there are some motorcycles. The town claims 35,000 to 40,000. I would suggest more like 1500 to 2000. Let me write that out so you don't think I missed some zeros accidently...fifteen hundred to two thousand bikers.

Ok, now that we have that straight, what was it, then. I already said it...A town festival. For vendors, it is what we call a real-estate show...meaning they make their living selling spots to vendors. The only local restaurant said her turnout for the past couple of years has been much below expectation. She thought it was because there were too many vendors. Maybe, because there were a lot of them, but if the only restaurant in town isn't making it with 35 to 40,000 bikers in attendance, then there wasn't that many there. We were set-up so we could look down the street with most of the food vendors. Except for Saturday, most of the time you could easily count the number of people that were in this street at any time. Most of the time it was less than 10. On Saturday there were more but the street was never crowded.

I am getting disgusted with people trying to make a buck off the bikers and not delivering anything for it. Sturgis, MS decided a few years ago since their town name was the same as the Great Sturgis in South Dakota, they would have a "bike rally" and the bikers would flock there and they would make a ton of money. Guess what...The show has progressively been getting worse, because they aren't delivering anything.

We were told they chose the hottest days of the year in Mississippi, even though they know it is so hot it becomes dangerous to be out in it, because it follows the Sturgis North show and they thought that would draw the bikers down. Obviously they have spent too many years cooking their brains in the heat and drinking straight whiskey to understand that if it is the hottest days of the year, many (could I say most) people simply won't come. Why would they? To watch Cletis and Zeb playing banjo on their broken down, leaning to the left, porch, whilst Auntie Ethyl and Uncle Mort do a diddy on the dirt front yard? Give me a break.

We won't be back. I don't do fairs and festivals. I do motorcycle shows. I offend the ignorant, inbred, outright stupid, what some call the "regular" people, just being me. I don't offend anybody at a bike show. Don't invite me to your fairs and festivals and I won't insult you......Mick

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #20 on Oct 4, 2005, 9:03am ?   

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Kenton Coon Dog Show

What a hoot! It is guns, hillbillies, moonshine, dogs and did I mention guns? Labor Day weekend and the feeling is easy. Sassafras and I enjoy this show, though I am not sure we will be doing it as vendors in the future. If we do, we will probably leave our higher priced glasses at home and bring some 3 for $20 glasses.

But this place rocks with John Deere hats and did I mention guns? Everybody has a gun that they are willing to trade or sell. Of course, everybody is an expert and everybody is looking for a bargain. The food is good, the security is good, the dogs are great and did I mention there are a lot of guns?

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #21 on Oct 4, 2005, 9:08am ?   

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Sturgis Toy Run, Sturgis, MI

Who stole this show? Where are the bikers. Sadly this is one of the great bike shows that has been hijacked by the drunks and local partiers. The event has always been honorable and does good work, but I am tired of watching women's nipples being sucked by their old man or neighbor lady in the aisle in front of my stand.

The camp ground, which used to filled with tents and bikes, is now filled with RV's and pick-up trucks. They have had to use a second field for four wheel parking.

Oh, well, as I said a couple of posts ago, I don't do fairs or festivals. This is no more than a local party. A chance for the local girls to flash their titties at the local boys. So goodbye Sturgis Toy Run. I am going to miss you.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #22 on Oct 4, 2005, 9:16am ?

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Tomahawk, WI Color Tour

Oh, boy. This is truly turning out to be one of the great ride-in events. This used to be a Harley plant openhouse (they have a small fiberglass plant located in the town) but the town took the event over a few years back, when Harley decided they could dictate to the town what was what and the event exploded.

There are easily 25,000 bikers that come through Tomahawk over a four day period. This is one of the rare events that we are as busy on Sunday as we are on Thursday. The town shuts its 3 block mainstreet down Friday and Saturday night and have a band on each end of the street. There are lots of activities going on all four days.

But that isn't what makes this event so great. Remember, I called it a "ride-in" event. The Northern Wisconsin area is usually very colorful this time of year and people ride all over enjoying the scenery and wonderful weather.

If you're from the midwest, I recommend you ride to this event. Book your motel early, plan on ridiing with and meeting a lot of new friends, and going home with a smile. If you are a partier that bought your bike as an excuse to get drunk, stay home. This isn't your event.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #23 on Oct 4, 2005, 9:24am ?

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York, PA Harley plant open-house

What can I say. If you would like to see where Harley-Davidson assembles the foreign made parts into their "claimed" American made bike, then you should enjoy this event, maybe.

What used to draw 40,000 bikers, now draws less than 20,000. Why? Who knows. Maybe some of the mystique of Harley has finally worn off. Unlike Tomahawk, Harley still controls this event and maybe that is why it is going to the garbage heap. God these guys (Harley Staff) are an arrogant lot.

What I do know is the numbers have been steadily going down for the past five years and we have finally reached a level that dictates we are not going to attend in the future. 750 miles one way and very expensive real estate has turned this show into a loser for us.

Sadly, we have made some great friends, locally, in York and our favorite restaurant across the nation "Around the Clock Diner" is located there. Oh well, life marches on and York is a non event.

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Re: Reports on shows we have been to.
? Reply #24 on Nov 7, 2005, 1:07pm ?   

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We just finished three shows by Giant motorcycle swap meet in this order:

Grand Rapids, MI October 9
Detroit, MI October 23
Birch Run, MI November 5

Grand Rapids was a small show with customers filtering in but never in a crowd. Still a good show to attend with a lot of vendors and a decent crowd.

Detroit was excellant. Very good crowd that kept Sassafras and I busy. Still one of the best parts shows in the mid-west

Birch Run. Beautiful facilities with a lot of vendors, but if the crowd doesn't grow, the vendors will not come back. If anybody other than Giant Motorcycle was putting it on, I wouldn't go back. That is how bad the crowd was. Hopefully it will grow. This show replaced a show in Lansing because it never grew and stayed poor. This one will hit the heaps as well if it doesn't get supported by customers.


It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. ~~Baha'u'llah

The chief idols in the desecrated temple of mankind are none other than the triple gods of Nationalism, Racialism and Communism, at whose altars governments and peoples, whether democratic or totalitarian, at peace or at war, of the East or of the West, Christian or Islamic, are, in various forms and in different degrees, now worshiping. ~~Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come