Thread: What do you look for in a Car Show?

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Planning a rod show for my daughter's high school marching band as a fund raiser in February 2011, FL rural location, at her High School parking lot. Thought I'd see what activities, services, etc. might attract attendees. Entry fee $10 (?) is being discussed.. or $20 which would include a $10 food coupon.... (thoughts?)

So far have the standard DJ, Concession stands (no alcohol), shade canopies, rest rooms, percussion band performance, ROTC flag raising, judges from local car club, trophies, 50/50 raffle, etc. plus running a $10 student run car wash in the corner of the lot ~ mostly for visitors, but might be handy for anyone driving long distance.... Thinking about limiting the gate to 1985 and older (personally would prefer pre-40's only, but that would limit the draw in my area severely!)

What would YOU like to see, do, have available? Parking by decade or no order? help!

For me what makes a good show is the location. I hate parking lot shows where you have no shade and nothing to do but sit on a lawn chair after you walk around and see the other cars. One of the best shows we ever did was held at a park along the river, nice view, cool breeze, and grilles to cook stuff on.

It is also nice to have things to do for wives who may not be nuts about the car thing. A couple of craft vendors thrown in can go a long way. I would keep the rate at either a straight $ 10 or $ 20 without the food coupon thing, that might get confusing and the person may not want or be able to eat the food available.

As for the car wash, maybe a good idea, but I would want the hose and area to use myself. I don't know how many rodders would let their car be washed by anyone else, particularly HS kids (no offense, just being honest), I know I wouldn't.

I also hate 8 hour shows. Some of the best ones I have gone to are from like 9 to 1. Something like Turkey Run is the exception due to its size and lots of stuff to do and see.

Just some of my thoughts and pet peeves.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

For me what makes a good show is the location. I hate parking lot shows where you have no shade and nothing to do but sit on a lawn chair after you walk around and see the other cars. One of the best shows we ever did was held at a park along the river, nice view, cool breeze, and grilles to cook stuff on.

It is also nice to have things to do for wives who may not be nuts about the car thing. A couple of craft vendors thrown in can go a long way. I would keep the rate at either a straight $ 10 or $ 20 without the food coupon thing, that might get confusing and the person may not want or be able to eat the food available.

As for the car wash, maybe a good idea, but I would want the hose and area to use myself. I don't know how many rodders would let their car be washed by anyone else, particularly HS kids (no offense, just being honest), I know I wouldn't.

I also hate 8 hour shows. Some of the best ones I have gone to are from like 9 to 1. Something like Turkey Run is the exception due to its size and lots of stuff to do and see.

Just some of my thoughts and pet peeves.

Don

Good thought about the field, which I agree with you on, but all we have to work with is a parking lot. That's why I'm having shade canopies set up.

In terms of the entry fee, what would your feelings be on having a choice? Make it so on preregistration, you can choose the $10 entry only OR the $20 fee which would include a $15 food coupon, but only available with preregistration? Otherwise $10 at the door. When running a fund raiser, it's always nice to know that you have pre-sold a certain number of items .... plus a number of "no-shows" or those who buy but don't use the coupons, helps increase the profit margin. Based on my experience, the food sale is what makes or breaks an event as a fund raiser.

Also agree on the time. Figured "be on the field" by 10am, awards at 3pm ~ want to "capture" a lunch crowd for the students...

Will try and get some craft vendors... great idea! How about a "green market" as well? We have an organic farm near the school ~ ?

more ideas around?

I agree completely with Itoldyouso's comments. To add one thing, if you give out awards, I would encourage you to give "Best of the Bunch" plaques rather than 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies. It is a lot easier to cite outstanding cars when you do not have to hassle over placements. It makes the exhibitors happier as well.

Oh, one thing I just thought of. Make sure your date doesn't happen to fall on the same time period as some other events, either car events or other events that might take people away from your show. You mention February, be careful as there will be Don Garlits show and Billetproof around that time, and also Daytona Spring Fling, or whatever it is called.

Feb is a good month usually though, weatherwise, and a lot of snow bird rodders are still here. An open field won't be bad in February. In July or August is is a whole different animal.

Since you also want to make some money for the band, some games where the participants pay a little would work, like Dunk the Principal, etc.

Don

What i enjoy alot at car shows is uniqueness. You might consider addding motorcycles to the mix. You can draw a whole different lot of people who do not normally go to car shows. Also lots of concession stands for food and crafts. and a swap meet or flea market area would be great.

I will agree that the "Top 25" or whatever number can be the best way to go about doing this. I got into a warm discussion as to why my 7 year old at the time '86 Mustang 1st place was better then the guy next to me who had a '73 and was 3rd. Should we have been in the same classification - no, but that's how the organizers set it up. My car was immaculate inside and out, his - the engine compartment hadn't been cleaned for years. This tends to keep the trophy hunters at bay to some extent.

You do need some other attractions - games or mechanical competitions - to keep folks busy.

Eight hour shows - gasp!!! I've probably left more of them then stayed for handing out of those useless trophies, and of course "missed" my chance.

Goody bags - love 'em. that is if they have something useful rather then some junk that ends in the trash.

Value give aways. How much can you get the local car parts, home centers, etc to support your endeavor. A case of oil, a cordless screw driver, a dinner out

I went to Weaverville CA car show last summer and they had it on the grass at the golf coarse, lots of trees and shade with the club house open for snacks.

First thing I look for at a car show is the SWAP MEET

For a first time show, don't think you would want to limit the entries to pre-anything!!! There's so dang many shows now and it's hard enough to draw decent cars. To get a decent turnout it might be better not to turn away anyone that shows up! The show is for the public, not for the owners of the car's on display! Once a show has been on the schedule for a few years and shows a trend towards a certain type or era of cars maybe then you could start limiting entries? Seening as how it's a fund raiser, why turn down anyone's money????

My church has had car shows for the past 6 years as our fundraiser for mission work and they keep growing each year. We have ours in August from 5-8 and the ladies love it because it is only 3 hours long. Our show is for cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors, basically anything with wheels and an engine. We do not charge for entries and we get more vehicles because of that. We provide food for a donation and a silent auction with items from various businesses from auto stores, restaurants, local race track, and so on. We even have a cake walk and charge $1 and you stay in until you win or we run out of cakes. We used to have a dunk tank but have rented those inflatables for the past two years and the younger kids love it. As far as trophies go, we have People's Choice (1st and 2nd), Pastor's Choice and Greatest Potential for all those projects. This past August, we raised a little over $2,000 after all expenses were paid and I should probably add that most of our expenses are donated.

I think any school related fund raiser will do well. One thing I would be very careful of is those shade tents. If this is held in a parking lot, how will you tie them down? I once saw a tent blow over and hit several show cars, causing thousands of $$ in damage. Also, any type of activity, like a piston toss or whatever should be done early so as not to hold up the awards. If you want this to be an annual event, don't drag it out and bore the people.
Most of the local shows here are going to a top 25 or top 50 depending on the size of the show. But if you class the cars, you need to park the classes together. Judges will get lazy and confused if thet have to "hunt" for cars.
Most of all, make it fun.

I lived in Wisconsin for 6 months a couple years ago and there was a tractor show at the local Fire Dept yard. I hadn't spent any time much with tractors, but when I got there, those darned things really got my attention. I think they had maybe 20 tractors of all types displayed and I spent several hours looking them over and talking to the owners about them. My point is, don't disallow anything that has tires on it. Also, if I were putting on a show, I would have a place for "works in progress" that would be allowed to sit on a trailer.

Don said have hours of 9 to 1. I disagree with this, because I remember when I was a young man and had to work every Saturday until 1:00 PM. It used to make me very unhappy that events closed at 1:00 and I wouldn't get to attend. If you want to shorten it up to less than 8 hours, at least run it from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM so everybody has a chance to make it to the show.

As far as grouping the cars, I like to see all the individual marques together. All the Fords together, all the Chevys together, etc. That way, if I'm not interested in looking at Cadillacs, I don't have to wade through them to get to the Hupmobiles.

I also might be thinking about having 3 or 4 gnarly dudes in the background with night sticks to handle any problems that might arise. Better safe than sorry.

There are many points mentioned that draw me to certain car shows, but I have a question first? Are there other attractions nearby? Shopping, antiques, things to do - then you can use that as a draw to the show also. If they are close, talk to the nearby businesses about being open during your event and offering something "special" for the car show participants/spectators.

1) Time: Not too long - 5 hours or less
2) Prefer grass but have done several parking lot shows.
3) Prefer a Top 20 show to ones that have individual classes. Also on a top 20 show, I like to see some trophies that are stand out trophies like: Spectator choice, Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, Best Wheels - All of these are judged by the trophy sponsors.
4) Prefer shows were the Top 20 are voted on by the participants.
5) Like to see "Goody Bags" that contain dash plaques, coupons, Sample products, etc. In this way "everyone" gets something for coming to the show.
6) To get my wife to attend with me, there needs to be something for her. Craft items, Nearby shops, antique stores, etc.
7) While I like shows that have a specified year, just starting out you might make it an "Open" car show. Someone may bring their showroom new car to the show, but it will be another $10 in the band fund. Some of these cars get people looking at them too as it's like going to a car dealer to see the car and talk to an actual owner as to how they like it. Sometimes, the morning of the show is when I decide exactly which car I'm bringing. My 34 Ford Street Rod, my restored 1929 Model A coupe, or my 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette. The corvette can't come to some car shows, but is welcome at others.
8) nearby food vendors and restaurants. I can't do the greasy fried foods, so I like shows that have a variety of food things.
9) I like the idea of having percussion show or other things of particular interest. Have a hola hoop contest for the band and other spectators, other special events.
10) car shows with a sound system and music with periodic announcements make the day go faster too.

Sorry for my ramblings... but... Since you asked... These are what gets me to one car show versus another.

I agree with the guys who suggested not limiting your show to any particular year cut off. While I'm not nuts about seeing a brand new car displayed at a show, it really doesn't hurt anything and will give you some additional revenue you might not have had.

One thing we found out when the club I was once with did car shows, a few people end up doing all the work and the rest just sit back and do nothing. Try to delegate as much as possible to others so you spread the workload. Have one person in charge of parking, one in charge of vendors, one in charge of registering the cars and taking the money, etc. You need to have one CEO of the entire event, and these underlings will need to report to that person and understand his decisions are final.

Finally, get a local radio station involved. Advertising something like this is key to getting turnout. Most local radio stations have PSA time available and like to be seen as community oriented. So approach the GM at that station and see how they can help get the word out. They might even want to do a drop or remote broadcast from the event. Radio stations like exposure, so let them set up their remote truck there and broadcast during the show. Maybe make them the sponsor of one of the contests or one of the class trophies. Same with local businesses, have Joes Ice Cream Shop be the sponsor of one trophy and let Joe pick the car he likes the best. For that, Joe will kick in some freebies to help the cause.

Don