Charlie Petty Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Hershey ain't what it used to be, but what swap meet, antique show, etc. is? Still, wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm in my own little world walking the fields four days a year. Can't give enough thanks to the volunteers who make it happen. I am wondering why the number of food vendors dwindles each year. The workforce issue may have exacerbated the situation this year, but it has been a noticeable trend the past few years. The "midways" in the chocolate and green fields were shells of their former selves this year. I was shocked (and bummed because I am a pizza lover) to see no pizza at the foot of the bridge stairs. My guess would be that the food vendors have been dropping off because of declining sales, i.e., lower attendance. Oh well, I may have to start brown-bagging it, but I'll be back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 (edited) You are not alone Charlie, I miss the family that had a food and ice cream stand for years in the Chocolate field. Questioning things is not a smart thing in the new USA. Bob Edited October 15, 2021 by 1937hd45 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moskowitz Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 No, No, NO!!!! The lack of more food vendors is due to one thing and one thing only....NO HELP!!! The entire event was impacted by shortages in labor for businesses that support the fall meet. Tents could not be put up, food vendors could not get staff, etc. Hopefully, a pandemic-free 2022 will bring back our traditional vendors and they will have all the infrastructure they need to be successful. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Seemed to me there were a few more than usual over by my spaces in the Green field in front of the Giant Center. I smelled at least an extra 1000 calories every day there, and there were plenty of folks enjoying it too. Crab cakes were great as usual. Steve is right about staffing tho, I know a few vendors who had to source tents from as far away as Virginia. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 29 minutes ago, Steve Moskowitz said: No, No, NO!!!! The lack of more food vendors is due to one thing and one thing only....NO HELP!!! The entire event was impacted by shortages in labor for businesses that support the fall meet. Tents could not be put up, food vendors could not get staff, etc. Hopefully, a pandemic-free 2022 will bring back our traditional vendors and they will have all the infrastructure they need to be successful. I'm sure others have been brainstorming of ways to insentivize things in order to bring in some of the favorite vendors that may have been missing. A .25 cent food tax on public admission and vendor spaces seems like it would be a simple solution that most folks wouldn't mind paying for the benefit of having more choices. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpfarrell Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 1 minute ago, 30DodgePanel said: I'm sure others have been brainstorming of ways to insentivize things in order to bring in some of the favorite vendors that may have been missing. A .25 cent food tax on public admission and vendor spaces seems like it would be a simple solution that most folks wouldn't mind paying for the benefit of having more choices. Just a thought. You want me to pay for somebody else's food choice? I hope you think again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, gpfarrell said: You want me to pay for somebody else's food choice? I hope you think again. Yeah you're right... dumb thought. As a society in general, we're taxed enough as it is Edited October 15, 2021 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Thanks to Steve for the reality check and the REAL story as to why there were some things at this years Hershey event that "weren't like it used to be or always was ". I am just glad and appreciative that the event took place at all! Seeing friends after 2 years in person ( well a lot of them , many from Europe could not attend due to border restrictions) was the very best therapy of happiness that I have had in months, the same for my son. As Steve mentions , hopefully 2022 will be more of what we think a normal Hershey is like. Easy to bemoan what didn't happen, wasn't there, etc. BUT PLEASE GIVE THOSE WHO SPEND MONTHS TRYING TO MAKE IT ALL WORK SOME CREDIT AND LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS. So easy to complain about how you were disappointed at something but it is so rare for people to take the time to just say Thanks..................... End of sermon # 476 Walt 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 I guess I'm in the minority. I don't go to Hershey for the food. 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 As long as Wrights serves up their waffles and sensible light lunches, Dad is happy... 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mopar_earl Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 2 hours ago, Matt Harwood said: I guess I'm in the minority. I don't go to Hershey for the food. Parts, automotive eye candy, female eye candy, and food for me. Not to mention off work. Also I camp sun through sun so I get some camping in too. Earl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Giles Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 A pleasant surprise was the Spaghetti dinner served up by the Hummelstown Fire Co. Friday evening. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenie Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 11 hours ago, Terry Bond said: Seemed to me there were a few more than usual over by my spaces in the Green field in front of the Giant Center. I smelled at least an extra 1000 calories every day there, and there were plenty of folks enjoying it too. Crab cakes were great as usual. Steve is right about staffing tho, I know a few vendors who had to source tents from as far away as Virginia. Terry There was still enough vendors to keep us from starving. One in particular in the Green field had the best sausage sandwich I’ve had since I swore off the Red Hot Smokies at Carlisle events many years ago. Now if you want to talk about hardship- they moved the Dunkin Donuts tent from the Green field to the opposite side of that @&$?& Bridge into the Chocolate field. When you’re manning your vendor space by yourself and the DD is that far away, it leaves few options. I have to thank two brothers, one from Scranton and his brother from the UP of Michigan for bringing me a coffee on Thursday morning. You meet the nicest folks at Hershey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 12 hours ago, Matt Harwood said: I guess I'm in the minority. I don't go to Hershey for the food. Ditto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Petty Posted October 16, 2021 Author Share Posted October 16, 2021 I said in my post I wouldn't miss Hershey for the world and I couldn't thank the volunteers enough, and I was wondering why food vendors were missing. Oh yeah, I also said I would bring my own lunch next time. No, I don't go there for the food either, but I do eat lunch most days. I'd hate to see the responses if I was actually being critical. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarFreak Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 22 hours ago, Matt Harwood said: I guess I'm in the minority. I don't go to Hershey for the food. Me either. But did realize how many ‘favorite restaurants’ we have in the Hershey / Harrisburg area. Including a new (for us) Mexican one next to our favorite hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Maine Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 Except for one helping of fries and one ice cream, I don't buy any food at Hershey. I pack my own lunch and sit in the car and relax while I eat. I figure the less I spend on food, the more I have to spend on Hershey "stuff." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry54999 Posted September 22, 2022 Share Posted September 22, 2022 Does anyone know if the Pizza stand will be back this year at the foot of the bridge??? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 I hope the Bricker's, french fry people and the pierogi vendors are back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playswithbrass Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 On 10/15/2021 at 11:57 AM, mopar_earl said: Parts, automotive eye candy, female eye candy, and food for me. Not to mention off work. Also I camp sun through sun so I get some camping in too. Earl The “female eye candy” is too busy dodging old men driving dangerously in golf carts to notice whether anyone is ogling them Erica 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 Erica,so true.remeber,they have rules, never enforced 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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