Trulyvintage Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) My good friend Jim Holguin has a reputation organizing car events in and around Visalia, CA. Jim was approached by the owners of Famoso Drag Strip outside of Bakersfield , CA to take over the planning of their Spring Drag Swap. Jim was approached about reserving spaces for Pre War Vendors and he has graciously provided an area. This is not being promoted to the general public so if you want folks coming out - you have to spread the word for it to patronized. Jim Edited January 25 by Trulyvintage (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Out of my range, but its nice seeing spring events being advertised. Theres hope yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I have attended a previous Bakersfield swap meet and it was a great event. I don't know if I will still be a Calif resident by the time this one comes around but it would be great to attend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoringicons Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) It will be another GREAT Pre War meet. I'll be there!!! Edited January 25 by motoringicons (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studebuddy Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I have had good luck at the Bakersfield swap meet in the past, so I will definitely go. Would like to take my car if I can find some new rag joints for a '23/24 Light Six Studebaker... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 37 minutes ago, Studebuddy said: I have had good luck at the Bakersfield swap meet in the past, so I will definitely go. Would like to take my car if I can find some new rag joints for a '23/24 Light Six Studebaker... Plenty of time to Spread The Word Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Unless the Horseless Carriage Club of America is involved I doubt this will be much like the Bakersfield meet of the past. It's absolutely a nice touch that an area will be provided for pre war stuff, but otherwise I don't see any indication this meet will be any different from any other general car hobby meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 (edited) 2 hours ago, 1912Staver said: Unless the Horseless Carriage Club of America is involved I doubt this will be much like the Bakersfield meet of the past. It's absolutely a nice touch that an area will be provided for pre war stuff, but otherwise I don't see any indication this meet will be any different from any other general car hobby meet. The local chapter of The HCCA decided The Bakersfield Swap Meet had run its course so they shut it down - rather than allow others to continue the event. I heard that directly from one of the members that had been involved since the early years. Having a pre war swap meet at a local established privately owned business and having a respected California native manage it puts the success or failure in the hands of the Public where it belongs. Jim Edited January 25 by Trulyvintage (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 (edited) That's unfortunate. Hard to see how the event had "run its course". I expect it more of a case of the members of the local group getting up there in years and no longer able to get the person power together to run the event. Is the new event going to be advertised in the HCCA Gazette ? Edited January 25 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 36 minutes ago, 1912Staver said: That's unfortunate. Hard to see how the event had "run its course". I expect it more of a case of the members of the local group getting up there in years and no longer able to get the person power together to run the event. Is the new event going to be advertised in the HCCA Gazette ? The Bakersfield Swap Meet had not run its course. There was at least one person who is long established and well respected in the Pre War Community that was in constant contact and offered to assist and/or take over the event but he was stonewalled. The Bakersfield Swap meet never ” belonged “ to any car organization or club - it was successful because the hobby supported it. Jim 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 (edited) Not to nit pick, but you seem to contradict yourself. How did the HCCA " local group " " shut it down ", and "stonewall " the well respected person if they did not own it ? This link from 2019 states it is a joint venture of the HCCA and the Kern County Model T Ford club. I may be mistaken but I believe the Model T club joined forces with the HCCA in relatively recent times and prior to that it was solely a HCCA event. Easy enough to look up as I have Gazettes going back to the 1950's and the Bakersfield event was always promoted in the Gazette. It doesn't really matter, good on your friend for putting together the current event. 28th Annual Bakersfield Swap Meet 2019 – Model T Ford Fix Edited January 25 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzBob Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 I recall reading back in early 2020, the county took over the fairgrounds (Site of the swap meet.) for covid facilities and homeless housing. I thought this was the No. 1 reason for the demise of the Bakersfield Swap Meet. Someone needs to do some fact checking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 (edited) 30 minutes ago, 1912Staver said: Not to nit pick, but you seem to contradict yourself. How did the HCCA " local group " " shut it down ", and "stonewall " the well respected person if they did not own it ? This link from 2019 states it is a joint venture of the HCCA and the Kern County Model T Ford club. I may be mistaken but I believe the Model T club joined forces with the HCCA in relatively recent times and prior to that it was solely a HCCA event. Easy enough to look up as I have Gazettes going back to the 1950's and the Bakersfield event was always promoted in the Gazette. It doesn't really matter, good on your friend for putting together the current event. 28th Annual Bakersfield Swap Meet 2019 – Model T Ford Fix The facts are as I have related them. I promote the pre war hobby for the good of the hobby. I attended The Bakersfield Swap Meet over the years several times. I live streamed and shared videos to my YouTube channel - Facebook and social media at my own personal expense. I promoted and covered the event when it moved up to The Ag Center in 2022 leading up to the swap meet with unrestricted access to the facility. Jim Edited January 25 by Trulyvintage (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Thanks for the video's ! The pre war segment of the hobby needs greater exposure. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 (edited) 37 minutes ago, AzBob said: I recall reading back in early 2020, the county took over the fairgrounds (Site of the swap meet.) for covid facilities and homeless housing. I thought this was the No. 1 reason for the demise of the Bakersfield Swap Meet. Someone needs to do some fact checking. When Covid hit - the fairgrounds were utilized for public immunization and scheduled events were postponed and/or canceled. The Spring Pre War Swap Meet was one of those events. The fairground event schedule returned to normal before The Spring Pre War Swap Meet. I know this because I was in communication with the director of the fairgrounds. But that didn’t matter because the decision had already been made not to continue the event before Covid hit. Those are the facts. Jim Edited January 25 by Trulyvintage (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 3 minutes ago, 1912Staver said: Thanks for the video's ! The pre war segment of the hobby needs greater exposure. If my transport schedule permits I will be live streaming and taking videos from this event. Jim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 How does this event compare to the Turlock swap meet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 42 minutes ago, Shootey said: How does this event compare to the Turlock swap meet? It will be the first pre war swap meet for this venue. This been added to their Spring Drag Swap Meet that attracts vendors and customers from California and as far away as The Midwest. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoringicons Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 This is always a great meet. I come to this meet from Detroit, so you know that it is worth it. The only problem I have is I BUY TOO MUCH!!!!! This year, I won't buy as much-well, maybe not. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) Up here there was a swap meet that went on for decades run by the Ontario Region AACA chapter. When the Ontario chapter ran into parking issues they moved the event to a new location an hour away to another fair ground. The fair board from the old location revived the event at the original location and has done very well. Now there is two swap meets rather than the one. One issue was the fair board used the same date causing a great deal of friction all around. AACA Ontario changed their date a month later mainly for wormer dryer weather. Another thing that happened is the original location fair board used the original name for their swap meet Stirling named after the town it was in. So the yeas of advertising was given away causing a dump truck of confusion with attendees and everyone else. So the Stirling fair board started a new swap meet using the original date, name and location and ran with it. Never name a swap meet after the location name unless you register the name so no one else can use it. The only issue Ontario region has now is trying to get volunteers as the membership is aging and declining. Antique Automotive Flea Market (aacaontario.ca) Edited January 26 by Joe in Canada (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Bonesteel Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I will be there, need to fill the void left by the end of the 'Big 3' at QUALCOMM/Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoringicons Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 19 minutes ago, motoringicons said: Bill Bennett and Steven Chase have NOTHING to do with the organization of this event. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdome Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I'm getting conflicting vibes. I'm thinking of coming from Ohio. Is this going to be the prewar/brass meet that was like the Bakersfield before Covid ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp1gt Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I thought that all the good swap meets were in the east. I would be coming from SoCal and also would like to know more details so I do not waste a trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdome Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) x Edited January 26 by jdome posted under wrong topic (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 11 minutes ago, jdome said: I'm getting conflicting vibes. I'm thinking of coming from Ohio. Is this going to be the prewar/brass meet that was like the Bakersfield before Covid ? 7 minutes ago, jp1gt said: I thought that all the good swap meets were in the east. I would be coming from SoCal and also would like to know more details so I do not waste a trip. The Bakersfield Spring Prewar Swap Meet had a following that carried north to Tulare where Jim Holguin organized another prewar swap meet to serve the interest of the hobby. Now he is continuing down in McFarland at The Famoso Dragstrip: @ https://famosodragstrip.com This venue is less than 30 miles from Bakersfield. The Bakersfield Swap Meet did not become an overnight success - it took years to grow. This event will require the same. If folks don’t support real world swap meets - they will end. Like I said before - the success or failure lies in the hands of the hobby. Jim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playswithbrass Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Arguing about who is organizing said meet does not really help anyone. People who plan to actually buy and people who plan to actually sell need to decide whether whatever event is arranged is worth supporting. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) I am curious , is this McFarland drag strip event replacing the Tulare event or is it in addition to it ? Tulare is a lot closer to where I live. Edited January 26 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 21 minutes ago, playswithbrass said: Arguing about who is organizing said meet does not really help anyone. People who plan to actually buy and people who plan to actually sell need to decide whether whatever event is arranged is worth supporting. There is no “ Arguing “. There are at least two guys claiming credit and listing themselves as contacts who have NO association with this event. For folks to decide whether to vend or attend to buy the facts have to be known. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 15 minutes ago, 1912Staver said: I am curious , is this McFarland drag strip event replacing the Tulare event or is it in addition to it ? Tulare is a lot closer to where I live. To my knowledge there are no other current prewar swap meets scheduled for Tulare and/or Bakersfield, California. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playswithbrass Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Interesting. In all my years of going to swap meets and flea markets I’ve never given much thought to who was the man doing the organizing. I just worry as to whether what is advertised as being there lives up to the expectations and I actually come home with something 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Bonesteel Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Getting mixed signals here. I really don't give a hoot as to who (whom?) is organizing the thing, would give it a fair shot either way. HOWEVER, there is now a discrepancy between the original post/flyer with a May 4 date and the other ad listing May 4 and May 3. Is the 3rd just a 'move in' date? Which is it? Kinda would like to know before I schlepp all the way up from San Diego with some cash in my pocket to troll for mid-30's Mopar stuff. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 8 minutes ago, Scott Bonesteel said: Getting mixed signals here. I really don't give a hoot as to who (whom?) is organizing the thing, would give it a fair shot either way. HOWEVER, there is now a discrepancy between the original post/flyer with a May 4 date and the other ad listing May 4 and May 3. Is the 3rd just a 'move in' date? Which is it? Kinda would like to know before I schlepp all the way up from San Diego with some cash in my pocket to troll for mid-30's Mopar stuff. Yep! Previously, Friday has been an active sales day and my preferred day to shop. Saturday was for leftovers and bargains, and the meet was done by noon. Does anyone have solid info on this year's meet? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 Read the image on my first post. You might have to enlarge it. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 @Trulyvintage do you know whether buyers are permitted access on the May 3 move-in day? That is, I fully expect to pay admission through pedestrian access points. Will pedestrian access points be available on move-in day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trulyvintage Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 57 minutes ago, Grimy said: @Trulyvintage do you know whether buyers are permitted access on the May 3 move-in day? That is, I fully expect to pay admission through pedestrian access points. Will pedestrian access points be available on move-in day? My guess would be no. Vendor to vendor sales customarily take place while vendors are waiting in line to set up. You would have to be registered as a vendor. Any questions - call Jim at the phone number provided or call El Famoso Drag Strip. Jim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 On 1/26/2024 at 6:59 AM, jp1gt said: I thought that all the good swap meets were in the east. I would be coming from SoCal and also would like to know more details so I do not waste a trip. The old swap meet was definitely worth the trip from So Cal but I only managed to do it a few times. It always seemed to fall on a date I was busy with plans I could not adjust to a different date. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoringicons Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 (edited) "Hello 2024 Bakersfield ( AKA: Famoso Dragstrip ) Swap Meet-ers, "The La Quinta Bakersfield South is a great place to stay for our 2024 Bakersfield Brass Era/ Pre war Swap Meet in the "YELLOW ZONE" at swap-o-rama. They are offering the Horseless Carriage Club discounted rooms, $72.86/ night, for Friday and Saturday, ...Thursday too if you come in early. Breakfast is included. There is plenty of approved truck and trailer parking both on property and along the adjacent Riverside Dr., a long cul-de-sac against the Kern River.. The La Quinta South is ideally located at the intersection of Hwy 99 and Hwy 178 with straight shots to both the Swap Meet at the Famoso Drag Strip "YELLOW ZONE" at swap-o-rama (22 min drive) and to the famous Wool Growers Basque Restaurant. Plus, surrounding our hotel are the Buck Owens' Crystal Palace (dinner and dancing), Ihop, Arby's, Denny's, and the Hacienda Grill. All within one or two hundred yards walk. To make your reservations for Friday May 3rd and/or Saturday May 4th call (661) 325-7400 and connect to the front desk (ext. 5). Tell them that you are with the Horseless Carriage Group. "Jordan" is our friend and ally there. The La Quinta South will be the staging point for planned group evenings at both the Buck Owens' Crystal Palace next door and to the famous, and affordable, Wool Growers Basque Restaurant where everyone gets enough to eat. We look forward to seeing you there. And after, having many of you and your horseless carriages on our four day California Rendezvous Tour in Paso Robles, CA. immediately following this Swap Meet. For questions please contact Steven Chase. Tel: (323) 497-0601" -From Steven Chase Edited January 30 by motoringicons (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RansomEli Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 I say this reluctantly, but the Buck Owens' Crystal Palace serves the best chicken-fried steak I've ever had. Even in Texas. Worth a special trip. The bar has a full-sized Cadillac El Dorado convertible hanging against the back wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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