Re: Hershey 2007

Posted by BH On 2007/9/30 11:44:53

Robert,

For some of my last trips to Hershey, I made good use of the Internet to scout hotel/motel locations, but used 800 numbers to call and check room availability and price. I actually had better luck finding a room just a couple of weeks before the event, which I suspect was due to unexpected cancellations. However, beware of "recently remodeled" accomodations in the area; those are typically older run-down constructions that got little more than a fresh coat of paint and new linens.

One of the best things the AACA ever did for the swap meet was setting up tents at entrances to each field, offering apples and cider for a donation. A cup of cider sure quenched my thrist better than a cup/can of soda laced with high-fructose corn syrup, and an apple is a lot safer than some of the "carny" food. However, don't waste your money on the meet program that they hawk at those tents. Instead, visit the AACA website in advance of your departure and find, download, and print the maps of the meet layout.

You will find many Packard vendors in the swap meet fields that you recognize from their advertisements (who usually include their space number as the event approaches), but look for Bob Stoltzfus' tent. He has a lot of good postwar parts - new and used - and quite a bit of literature. There may be other vendors with as much or more parts at the meet, but if you don't see what you need in Bob's spread, ASK! He lives close enough that if he has it but didn't bring it with, he can fetch it for the next day.

You'll find some interesting stuff for the V8 cars at PI's tent - more than I ever found at PAC's tent. Also, Steele Rubber usually brings a tractor-trailer load of rubber goods, which will save you plenty on S&H. Check Eastwood Company and T-P Tools for some interesting restoraton supplies, too.

My trips to Fall Hershey got to the point that I had to bring not only a want list, but an inventory of what I already had, and a notepad to record my purchases so I could keep track of things and not end up with so many duplicate purchases.

Last, but not least, be sure to bring some heavy-duty bags for any free catalogs that many full-time vendors will have set out. (Catalogs are all that Kanter brings anymore.)