Hershey Thursday. ..Changes next year

Wick

Wick

Well-known member
Today Hershey did not disappoint!!! Reminded me of years ago,very lively crowd. Everyone I saw was toting something. Have only seen a couple pack up to leave.

Now for what's going on for next year. The south Chocolate Field is losing 60 spaces, they are putting in a road. Everyone was told this in person in these spaces. Spaces along the fence near employee parking.. The red field beside the new restaurant will be gone also,probably another restaurant.
Videos were/are being made of spaces used for parking instead of selling in all fields.
They want to reduce the space required by this event.

I did see 2 vendors in the Orange field yesterday selling,the forbidden stuff like baskets,body oils,jewelry and no car parts.
 
if you walked the whole place & REMOVED ALL THE EMPTY SPACES the size of the show would be a lot smaller.the people in charge see this.
 
I tend to agree with Richard Crow. I spent most of yesterday walking around. Didnt buy anything but had a good time. After going for many years I still have no idea what a chocolate field, blue field, red field etc is. It seems like one big parking lot to me. I suppose I should pony up the $5 for a program one of these years. I entered on the far eastern side parking lot. It was just about a ghost town. A few vendors and not a lot of activity. IMO they could easily resized that area. There is also a lot in kinda the back area (behind where the crab cake lady was) that seemed to be spread out a bit.

All in all a great day. Looking forward to next year.
 
Do they still have people parking RV's in vendor spaces, so that they don't have to tote their stuff too far?

I recall that being a point of contention some years back.
 
I have been attending Hershey for over 30 years.......this year has the least amount of vendors, and attendance, and apparent sales than any year prior. Also, parking is now $20 per day......food prices are much higher....... The car coral had a few mid-90s "used cars", and prices seemed to mimic Barret-Jackson auctions....

All in all, it is till a great place to see old friends and plenty of car parts.
 
“still have no idea what a chocolate field, blue field, red field etc is.”
Has to be some differentiation or it could/would be chaos.

It took me a long time but the best markers are the light pole numbers.
I’ve been guilty of being a “parker only” in the past but lately have done “display only” as I do make a lot of specialty parts. It’s hard to be a seller and buyer so I decided to shop in the mornings and vend/display after lunch. Usually ready to call it a day….old legs won’t do that all day!
It doesn’t enhance the event when 5 spaces are a $$ RV with mothing to show!
 
I agree with Oldbluoval about the light poles being the best markers. I sent AACA an email about this years ago and got a reply back from them that wasn't to receptive about the idea. It seemed to me that they are set in their ways about staying with the idea of using a string of numbers that make no sense and having small markers taped on the ground that are difficult to read. I'm 62 years old and need reading glasses (like most of the people attending the show) and can't make out the small print on the space markers.
 
Oldbluoval said:
“still have no idea what a chocolate field, blue field, red field etc is.”
Has to be some differentiation or it could/would be chaos.

It took me a long time but the best markers are the light pole numbers.
I’ve been guilty of being a “parker only” in the past but lately have done “display only” as I do make a lot of specialty parts. It’s hard to be a seller and buyer so I decided to shop in the mornings and vend/display after lunch. Usually ready to call it a day….old legs won’t do that all day!
It doesn’t enhance the event when 5 spaces are a $$ RV with mothing to show!
Click to expand...

I totally agree about the RV 4-5 space parking. It should not be allowed. I complained for many years and nobody ever listened. Very set in their ways.
 
We had 6+ spaces opposite us used only for parking or vacant this year. It was great; all of the people walking our row walked past our stand (no competition for customers from across the row) and spent their money in our space. It was the best Hershey for us ever!

Brad back in Maryland
 
Most probably know this, but it is through Fri next year, so no Saturday. The show will be on Friday. I assume it starts on Tuesday rather than Wednesday, but I can't remember.

I walked almost the whole flea market. The first time I have ever done that. I walked 22,000 steps one day and over 17,000 the other days!

I will be glad to see the empty spaces gone, too. Landlord forcing their hand, I guess. That will be less revenue for the region and HERCO, I assume, however.
 
Actually set up day next year will be Monday and the swap meet will operate Tuesday-Friday. That means early birds will ship on Monday and most vendors will be packing up or home by Friday morning. The big loser is the poor sap who has to work and can only attend on Saturday. Ironically, some Carlisle vendors may elect to double up at Hershey because of the quick flip. Let’s hope Covid finally fades and the Canadians and Europeans return.
 
"Let’s hope Covid finally fades and the Canadians and Europeans return."

As of Nov 1, vaccinated foreigners can come here.
 
richard crow said:
if you walked the whole place & REMOVED ALL THE EMPTY SPACES the size of the show would be a lot smaller.the people in charge see this.
Click to expand...


I agree, consolidating the spaces into a smaller area would be in everyone's best interest.

I'm in the orange field and I'd venture to guess there were 50% no shows.
 
From what I understand and reading what a lot of vendors had to say, this year was a success. Many were reporting record sales.
 
We are sort of guilty of the parking space violation. I did have parts for sale but dropped them off at my friend's place where the group was there to watch the inventory and take care of customers. We tried to get another spot next to ours but it was not possible. We knew it was available but they would not allow him more spots.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top