Hamfest SAVED!

[K4KWH]

HooooRAY!

According to an article sent to me by a fellow ham, I just learned that the annual Shelby Hamfest, held for the past 48 years is ON! #According to the Shelby Daily Star, the Shelby Amateur Radio Club reached a last minute agreement with the local fairgrounds committee. This is good news for the ham community as well as the economy of Shelby and surrounding areas. As many as 20,000 people(my estimate) flood the area on Labor Day Weekend bringing revenue both in sales taxes to the city/county and a boost to local businesses such as hotels and eateries. As a long-time participant in the Shelby hamfest (not a member of the club-I live in a nearby city), I have looked forward to this event every year as the "climax" of the fall hamfest season. #The site is ideal, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor space, tailgating over 50 acres of land, and a sense of comraderie that can't be beat at ANY hamfest! People flock to Shelby beginning the week BEFORE hamfest weekend, and many of us has tailgated in the same spot for years--we kinda know where to find our friends each year. #Campers line the perimeter, and the hamfest slowly cranks up about Tuesday before the official 'fest starts! By Friday, you would think that the actual "official" hamfest was underway as trading and selling is at full steam!

So I breathe a sigh of relief that this 'fest is on. #My opinion is that pressure was placed on the fairgrounds to re-negotiate with the ham club as allowing this venerable hamfest to leave Cleveland County was not something the citizens, the club, and the county commissioners were going to allow to happen. #Too much at stake! #LOTS of towns nearby would have LOVED to host this event, and leaving the fairgrounds empty due to the greed of a few was not only stupid, but untenable to the local residents of Shelby! #Hee Hee! Don't tell me hams don't have "clout"! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ai4ep]

Gee...if it werent so far to drive with gas prices as high as they are; I might have showed up.

If KERRY had won, gas prices MIGHT be lower,,,our military men/women MIGHT be coming home...& unemployment MIGHT be lower than it is nationwide.

Good luck on yer fest. Have fun.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Mar. 31 2005,04:50)]Gee...if it werent so far to drive with gas prices as high as they are; I might have showed up.

If KERRY had won, gas prices MIGHT be lower,,,our military men/women MIGHT be #coming home...& unemployment MIGHT be lower than it is nationwide.

Good luck on yer fest. Have fun.
It really troubles me that you would have the moxy to politicize this thread concerning a Hamfest being saved.

What does the price of gas have to do with being able to attend or not? #Take a plane trip to Charlotte if you're so concerned then... #I hear Southwest has good fares, but the only question is whether or not they fly into Charlotte.

[WA2ZDY]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Mar. 31 2005,14:38)]It really troubles me that you would have the moxy to politicize this thread concerning a Hamfest being saved.

.
Some folks just have to drag stuff up. Also, being negative helps some folks feel better about themselves. If they can't elevate their own position they drag everyone else down to their depressed condition. That way they feel good - the playing field is level - in their own mind anyway.

Such is human nature. Remember, misery loves company.

And as for Mr Kerry, who's that? Some name I vaguely remember from the past. Some loser, wasn't he?

[w4rot]

Shelby rocks!
Glad to hear it!
w4rot

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (WA2ZDY @ Mar. 31 2005,06:03)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Mar. 31 2005,14:38)]It really troubles me that you would have the moxy to politicize this thread concerning a Hamfest being saved.

.
Some folks just have to drag stuff up. #Also, being negative helps some folks feel better about themselves. #If they can't elevate their own position they drag everyone else down to their depressed condition. #That way they feel good - the playing field is level - in their own mind anyway.

Such is human nature. #Remember, misery loves company.

And as for Mr Kerry, who's that? #Some name I vaguely remember from the past. #Some loser, wasn't he?
I have never had a problem with EP up until today when he stated that. I will give him credit IF he was being facetious, but it sounded pretty serious to me.

He could have flown into Charlotte and then driven the short drive to Shelby. From my guess, it's maybe 50 miles to the west of Charlotte.

Coming from Bama is a trip in a car and maybe no cheaper than a flight into Charlotte. I would have flown and rented a 4 banger that's good on gas. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KG4ZQZ]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Mar. 31 2005,13:50)]Gee...if it werent so far to drive with gas prices as high as they are; I might have showed up.
- glad to hear about this hamfest being on again! can anyone fill me in on what to expect if i go?

- btw, if you think gas prices are high here right now, check out the per-liter prices in the oh-so-sophisticate-advanced-and-civilized European market... i think one of the reasons Europeans hate the U.S. is jealousy over our low taxes and low price of gas!

- also, if i go to Shelby, it will be by American-made, air-conditioned 4x4 V8...

:-)

[K4KWH]

Well, if you go to Shelby, you will find plenty of camping and parking space. Food is reasonable--breakfast is anything from standard eggs and bacon (and grits for us Southerners) to livermush and egg, sausage and steak sandwiches. The folks at Shelby do NOT try to gouge on prices. Come for the entire week if you like and plan to camp (if you are into that or have a camper). Plenty of
other attractions in the area to visit while there. There are no restrictions (never has been before) on your trading, swapping before the actual 'fest, and you will find vendors setting in mid-week prior to the Labor Day activity. Some of the guys get together and "jam" on guitar and banjo impromptu concerts. One of my friends that is also into guitar used to back up Loretta Lynn; he, like me, is a regular at Shelby. Usually, there is a guy there that demonstrates the use of a small tree as a 2 meter antenna. If you are looking for equipment, you are likely to find it at Shelby. If you have trouble walking, you might want to rent a golf cart--it is THAT big! One of the attractions of Shelby is that you can plan your vacation for that entire week and make a long stay worth your while. If you fly in and rent a room for all or part of the week, the rates are pretty reasonable--but you better book early. With a small econo-car, you can visit other attractions within an hour of Shelby such as Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned castle in the nation, or walk the trail at Kings Mountain National Battleground (about 20 minutes from Shelby Fairgrounds). At this site, one of the most important turning points in the American Revolution occurred. The trail is beautiful. and there is a reverence there as tho one can hear the whispers of the mountain men loading their muskets. Or you can drive up to Chimney Rock Park, a scenic overlook and waterfall (400 feet) and walk the trail where "The Last of the Mohicans" was filmed. Hickory Nut falls is the one you see at the last of the movie. Plenty of other extra things to do in addition to the hamfest (also an incentive for the XYL to attend your "boring" hamfest).

I am not part of the fest, nor a member of the club. But Shelby is one that I have enjoyed for over 30 years. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

73

[w2wtf]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Mar. 31 2005,10:50)]Gee...if it werent so far to drive with gas prices as high as they are; I might have showed up.

If KERRY had won, gas prices MIGHT be lower,,,our military men/women MIGHT be coming home...& unemployment MIGHT be lower than it is nationwide.

Good luck on yer fest. Have fun.
Keep dreaming....It shields you from reality....

[k4kyv]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Mar. 31 2005,11:38)]What does the price of gas have to do with being able to attend or not? Take a plane trip to Charlotte if you're so concerned then... I hear Southwest has good fares, but the only question is whether or not they fly into Charlotte.
To me it would defeat the whole purpose of attending a hamfest to fly to it. How would you get all the "goodies" back home? It's bad enough when you go to Dayton and have to park miles off site. That shuttle bus is ridiculous.

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Mar. 31 2005,14:56)]Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Mar. 31 2005,11:38)]What does the price of gas have to do with being able to attend or not? Take a plane trip to Charlotte if you're so concerned then... I hear Southwest has good fares, but the only question is whether or not they fly into Charlotte.
To me it would defeat the whole purpose of attending a hamfest to fly to it. How would you get all the "goodies" back home? It's bad enough when you go to Dayton and have to park miles off site. That shuttle bus is ridiculous.
Depends on what and or where you want to place your priorities...

Just to see the new stuff, or get it and bring it home. Drive or fly, it's ultimately up to those who go.

[K4KWH]

I can tell you this much. While you might want a golf cart to cover all the fleamarket area, there is plenty of parking at Shelby. I understand about those who fly and the logistics of getting "goodies" home. I just think Shelby is worth the trip in any case!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ai4ep]

I suppose I will just wait ( and save my hard-earned money ) till the third weekend of August and go to the HUNTSVILLE HAMFEST in Huntsville, Alabama ( if the price of gas aint too high ).