[Boatanchors] Shelby/Dallas hamfest report

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 8:13 PM, Nick England <nick at 3rdtech.com> wrote:
> The 51st Shelby hamfest had a new location this year - in nearby Dallas NC
> at a park also used for the county fair - acres of grassy areas for flea
> market and tail gate space - I'm guessing there were maybe 600 spaces
> occupied. Plus lots of big tents with dealers and plenty of hookups for RVs.
> There were also buildings with dealers selling new stuff but of course I
> never bothered to go there. I think that new venue is going to work just
> fine from a flea market/tailgate perspective - I understand there were
> remote parking hassles for attendees, but they'll probably have that working
> better next year.

Nice report, Nick - thanks. Venue change shouldn't hurt attendance
provided a suitable substitute is found and folks proactively
publicize and promote the changes to the vent. Sounds like they did
just fine at that. We've been kind of spoiled up this way with the old
Hosstraders - now - NEAR-Fest event with similar turnout and 'stuff'
on a somewhat smaller scale - maybe 300 tables or so and 2-3 dozen
commercial vendors. We've noticed a steady increase in good gear over
the last several years, and the current round of p&m about ebay is
likely to add to that.

Marty is quite a rig, met him at Dayton in 2007 after years of online
exchanges. Bet he has quite a stash of interesting stuff.

Looks like you had a great time and found some goodies.I bet John did
as well, can't wait to hear. And of course - looking forward to
finally getting there next year!

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ