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Chickasha Advice ?


Akstraw

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I am going to the pre-war swap meet in Chickasha for the first time this year (as a shopper/buyer; not a seller). Any advice for a first-timer? Thanks.

Andrew

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The trading starts on Wednesday, even though the swap meet doesn't "officially" open until Thursday. The vendors park in a lot across from the fair grounds and there is quite a bit of shopping that goes on before they enter the gates. You certainly do not want to miss the Wednesday activity.

Get there early on Thursday am as this is the first official day and is the busiest day.

By noon on Friday, most vendors have packed up and left. Some even leave Thursday night.

Typically, there is some fun stuff that goes on in the evening on Weds and Thursday as a few of the major, local collectors open up their collections for viewing. You will hear about these word of mouth, but, generally, anyone is invited. There is a local collection of BIG brass cars that is not to be missed.

At the swap meet, you'll see loads and loads of prewar parts. A good percentage of the parts are Model T and A, but you'll find lots of brass era parts as well as some Classic-era stuff in the mix. If the weather is nice (and it can range from freezing to blistering in Chickasha), there will be lots of stuff on the fields outside. If the weather is bad, the inside buildings (which are HUGE) will be bustling. The good part about Chickasha is that most of it is contained inside, so you do not have to worry about weather ruining the event.

You will be in for a treat, Chickasha is not your typical swap meet.

Oh, and don't forget to try some of the local BBQ spots.

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I`ve been going to the pre-war meet for 25+yr as a buyer for my personal projects(mid 30s). My problem is I always expect too much, and have come home disappointed many times without finding anything but that`s typical for any swap meet. The past few years I consider the meet a success if I come home with one item.. Still I always have to go, because there just might be that one item I`d miss if I didn`t go. You all know it`s part of the disease.. It is a blast tho, I`ve met/talked to people from all over the world there. Also I hate to say it, but last year was quite smaller(vendors)from the year before, you never know until you get there. I`ve never went on Wednesdays, may do that this year. I know I`ll have high expectations, I always do..

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Parking lot swap meet before the swap meet... I was told that's when a lot of stuff trades hands.  I arrived on setup day and missed out.  Live and learn.

 

Entire tarps filled with brass lights... more brass than I've ever seen.   Neat just to look at this old stuff.    Some really odd ball orphan projects parked outside and inside, several had half a dozen people constantly standing and just gazing at the old glory.

 

90% packed up and GONE on Friday.   On Saturday I counted a dozen families with their kids looking at a empty field, and a near ghost town inside.  And they say the young ones don't care about the old stuff.   If most of the brass crowd is retired, then why not make the show a Friday/Saturday show so that the locals and their kids can get a idea of what the hobby holds...???

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The first year for this meet was 1990.  I have only missed two years in all that time because of inclement weather.  I will never forget the very first meet when I drove onto the parking field - someone had wired a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood into the fence by the entrance gate and spray-can painted "IF YOU HAVE '55 CHEVY PARTS GO HOME".  I thought to myself, I'm at the right place.  I'm not the slightest bit interested in wading through Mustang, Camaro, and middle to late '50's Chevrolet stuff.  They have their own venues, so let them stick to that.  After my Dad retired he went down with me several times and the John Deere parts certainly made his day.  He found old brass Marvel carburetors and WICO magnetos for several of the tractors he was restoring, so he was always up for going with me.  I have been down there when it was practically nothing but A Model parts.  Then the next year it was nothing but early Chevy stuff.  One just never knows what will show up there.  That's what makes it so much fun.  One thing is for sure though - a good time will be had by all.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

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Several comments:

  • Go Wednesday afternoon or Thursday. On Friday people are packing to go.
  • I was very disappointed in last year's swap meet. Rain may have been a problem but vendor attendance was way down. I've noticed a downward trend in vendors over the past 3 years. I'm beginning to think that Bakersfield is the better swap meet.
  • All the hotels in Chickasha are booked. Any rooms left are very expensive. I stay in another town 20 miles away and pay 'normal' rates.
  • You must go to the J&W Grill nearby. A classic diner that serves great Onionburgers (an Oklahoma tradition) and fries. It's very popular and worth the wait. Lots of regulars attend - they sit down and their "usual" is delivered without anyone saying a word.
  • Lots of 1-cylinder REO people there. Very friendly and willing to give advice.
  • Was able to buy some brass lights I've been looking for. At a reasonable price (waited until Friday mid-morning when people were packing up).
  • I'm going again this year. If the meet continues its downward trend I'll just stop going and switch to Bakersfield. That would be a shame
Edited by RansomEli (see edit history)
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I like Terry have been going for almost 25 years.  As stated earlier lots of Ford T & A parts, but.......you never know. 

 

I am always looking for Buick parts as that is what I have and it is usually a feast or famine swap meet. Some years I have not found a single item and other years it was a great trip.  

 

In my book it currently is a must go venue even though there can be a large variation in parts available.

 

The best part of the event is getting together with friends from around the country.  Great times with great friends.  Can not be beat.  Truly a pre-war event.

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Bob

I attend, as a vendor, to the three meets for early stuff, Chickasha, Bakersfield and Hershey.  Chickaska has been good to me as a vendor.  I have an inside space (near the Men's Room :rolleyes:) and so the weather is not a problem.  With all the paving and other improvements, all the vendor spaces are improved over years past.  Wednesday is the "search thru the trailers day" while they  are in the line-up area.  Thursday is the only "full day" of the swap meet, Friday is half-day.  There's nothing on Saturday.  If you're into early Buicks plan to stop by at my vendor space in the North Bldg, NJ-8&9 (the leather license plate booth).  Hopefully this year the number of vendors will increase, the last two years seem lower in vendor counts.  If you can't find a local hotel, try Norman, OK.  Lot's of great rooms and good prices.

Steve Hammatt

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Let's see what happens next month.  We have regular unleaded gasoline selling for $1.19 a gallon here in Doo Dah.  This afternoon diesel fuel dropped to $1.38 a gallon here.  I'm willing to say that there will be a bigger crowd next month than there has been in several years because of this very reason.  The TV station in Wichita had some economist from Wichita State University on the tube last week cryin' and moanin' about the price of crude oil going lower and all of the people loosing their jobs.  I say bring it on brother!  Where was this educated idiot when big oil was raping the American public with $4.00 a gallon gasoline?  What goes around comes around.  Karma Ain't Nice!  If folks can afford some traveling, meets like this will definitely benefit.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

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Always wanted to get there - hopefully it's still a good one when I get the chance.  Retirement is on the horizon so maybe...

Wonder what my chances will be of adding something good to the spark plug collection?

Terry

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Terry:

I just retired from teaching last June and have been wanting to get there. All my Buick buddies who have posted here convinced me that I need to go. Now we finally have the opportunity. We have our reservations for Newcastle OK. We hope to be there by Wednesday afternoon and may get over to the meet.

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Larry, 

 

Congratulations on your retirement. I've stayed in Newcastle several times. It's a 30 minute drive to Chickasha on the I-44 (H. E. Bailey) turnpike (don't go any other route). Make sure you carry quarters and dollar bills for the toll booths. 

 

I can recommend Dave's Diner in Newcastle. A decent hometown diner. I recommend the Navajo Tacos.

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  • 1 month later...

All good input and advice.   I enjoyed my time at the meet, Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday.  My conclusions, based on one trip:  First, you can easily see it all in one day; on Thursday.  Second, it is a very nice venue with well maintained buildings, convenient restrooms, and lunch available on-site.  Third, Model T stuff was everywhere, so a great show for a Model T fan, but somewhat slim for the rest of us. (Possibly a statement of how dominant the Ford brand was at the time).  As mentioned above, though, I did come home with a few 'finds'.

I have to say that I find the timing (on a Thursday) to be rather odd.   I heard several comments about the show not being as big as it once was, and how there seem to be few young people involved.  My opinion is that having the show on Thursday limits attendance among the working crowd.   I spent two days in transit to attend a one-day show; meaning I took a total of three days off from work.  For a Saturday show, I wouId have taken only a half day off to travel Friday afternoon, and return Sunday.  

In all, a well-organized event with friendly people in a great space.  Many thanks to those who responsible for the meet.

Andrew

 

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Akstraw

Glad you enjoyed your first trip to Chickasha.  I've been a vendor there for the past 5-6 years and I've always been impressed with the facility and the management.  I'm also very pleased that Mike and Susie Ersland are planning some changes to hopefully improve attendance.  They did announce that starting next year (2017) the days will change back to Friday and Sat until noon. Like nearly all meets, the line-up day (this will be Thursday next year) will enjoy lots of action.  Anyway, I'll be back again delightfully located near all the action (and indoors) in the North Building.

Steve Hammatt

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