Taking Dayton out of the mix I have a set order #1 Toledo Hamfest by TMRA #2 Findlay Hamfest in Findlay Ohio # 3 Monroe Mi. hamfest. Toledo has a nice venue with plenty of parking a lot of vendors and easy to maneuver through the crowd one of my pet peeves. Easy to get to just off of I-75, plenty of place to stay and the casino is also very close. Findlay I like the layout but it's short ways off I-75 but they do have a talk in. Lots of vendors both indoors and out and the food is pretty good.
Exclusive of Dayton, I'd rank the Orlando Hamcation as the best. Nice location, especially at that time of year when some need a break from the winter up north. Huge layout with lots of vendors and flea market booths. Second is from 1-land, the Deerfield flea market in the spring and fall. However, I'm afraid moving the spring date to April may make this a very chilly event this year.
For a local NJ hamfest, the Sussex Hamfest in Northwestern NJ is my favorite, even though it's roughly 75 miles from my location. On a U. S. regional level, the Boxboro Hamfest/Convention in MA gets great marks from me. For each passing year, Dayton gets further down my list of favorites.
Been a ham sense 1983. Been to Mena, Ar many times, Ft.Smith, Ar hamfest 7 or 8 times , Rogers, Ar only once 30 years ago, and this year Russellville, Ar for the first time, and it was nice. So for me I guess it would be Mena. I never been to a big city hamfest like ham com in Dallas and it's only 4.5 hrs away, but maybe in a few years.
The best I've ever attended was the 1986 ARRL National Convention held in San Diego. Nearly (99.9%) tied with that was the 2014 ARRL Centennial Convention in Hartford. In terms of annual recurring hamfests, I like the Yuma Hamfest, held in February each year. It's just the right size and a good mix of activities.
Went to Butler this week; they have a new, larger location (The Big Butler Fairgrounds). While we did not stay all day, the place looks like it has far more potential for growth. Even with heavy rain in the forecast (and light-moderate rain in the morning), they had a fairly large crowd. A lot of folks were buying and selling, too. Elmira remains one of my favorites.
I have gotten some of my BEST DEALS at the HRO swapmeet in San Diego. Might not qualify as a HAMFEST. OH yes, the SAN DIEGO HAMFEST at the LAKESIDE RODEO GROUNDS, which happens again in October 3, 2016! That is where I got the TWO FT-1000MPs for $100!!! http://www.lakesidearc.org/sdhamfest/sdhamfest.php
That was really good. I did reasonably well at that Hamfest, although the HRO parking lot Swap Meet is perhaps a diamond in the rough. I always good Good Stuff there.
The Chicago FM Club fest when it was at the old Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. The ultimate fest: the Six Meter Club at the ong gone SantaFe Speedway just outside Chicago. The flea market was in the unpaved grove that served as the Speedway parking lot. It probably was one of the very few places on earth where you could inhale dust while your feet were stuck in gooiest, stickiest mud around!
I've never been to a bad hamfest ..just a short one...rain ,cold,heat,...It's all good....nice 2 do that eyeball 2 eyeball thing.. I've spent $$$, made $$$, borrowed $$$ ,lost $$$.... but I never felt like I waisted my time.. orlando...is the big one in Fl on west central side we have tampa bay hamfest in DEC now in Plant City (many clubs) then the Tampa ARC puts on three a year the snowbird , spring, and aug 20 fall .. hamclub.org ..good size ..see ya 73...
Got to add TIMONIUM MD to the list...at least about 5 years back when it ran on Sat & Sun...Its now been cut down to one day because of financial restraints(and maybe attendance issues)...but when it was two days, it was at the TIMONIUM fairgrounds, and the gates opened on Friday evening, and you could go in and set up if you wished, then cover your wares and go for dinner somewhere in TIMONIUM..lThen a hamfest special $98.00 a night room at the Crown Royal ( I believe) Hotel...and that price included a free belt at the bar...It was a real fine setup they had, and the people who ran it we're the best.....no hamfest police running around...It was 245 miles one way from my L.I. QSL but I never minded the trip...
At a local hamrfest this weekend in Sellersville, Pa always a good one not real large the topic came up about the York, Pa hamfest when it was held at the airstrip(mid 70's or so) actually Thomasville and in the photo you can see grass on either side of the strip and that's where the sometimes hundreds of tailgaters would set up and YES the strip was still open for take off and landing.