I plan to go to one of these events this year. I'm trying to decide, if I can only go to one, which one to attend. I am interested in both original as well as custom C1, C2 and C3 Vettes, would REALLY enjoy a swap meet and vendor booths, and am also interested in things to do in the town, such as cruising, cool nightlife, etc. Can someone who has been to or knows something about both events tell me the significant differences and give an opinion on one over the other? Suggestions for where to stay?
Thanks for your help!

OK, let those opinion roll in!

I've never been to Bloomington, but I can tell you Carlisle is a blast (I live maybe 50 miles from there). Thousands of Corvettes to look at, stock, custom, hundreds for sale, just about any part you can think of...original or repro for sale or trade. If you have no more than a VIN plate of whatever era, you can build a car around it from what you can buy at Carlisle. All the big repro companies are there with specials.

There's always a Corvette parade through the streets of Carlisle. If you need a place to stay, look at Carlisle's website (www.carsatcarlisle.com) and it will have places listed to stay at locally. You can also stay a bit further away and save some bucks as long as you're willing to drive a little distance.

As far as an exciting nightlife...I'm not sure Carlisle has any. I haven't stayed for that.

You surely won't be disappointed at Carlisle.

carsile gets my vote the only one ive been to also less than 30 miles from gettysburg a good day spent

I'm with them about Carlisle. If you need it, they have it. Cruise is on Sat. night, but a little advise, stay on the side lines with a video camera for that, it's something you'll not want to miss.

Being a resident of St.Charles I would have to promote the Bloomington Gold event. I'm quite sure that both have the same vendors, the same auction, pretty much the same stuff to see. I have to say the used parts at all the swap meets I have been to lately have been a dissapointment, I have a feeling the good used parts are all but sold and you can spend hours looking at a lot of junk. I heard similar complaints about the Carlisle show last year. St. Charles is a great facility, the Vettes are parked throughout the entire 18 hole golf course. Seminars are held thoughout the day, and there is a for sale by owner area for Corvettes. There is some really good taverns, restaurants, and bars in our downtown area as well as some great shopping and antique stores if you like that sort of thing. There are some cruise in's associated with the show as well as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. I'm sure Carlisle has similar programs. I would strongly suggest getting your hotel room booked real soon for either event, most of the local "in town" hotels in St. Charles are probably already booked solid. There are always rooms available in the nearby towns though, and those will fill too. Check out the post I made in the National Events section regarding the Bloomingtin Gold show. There is a link to the website and hotels are listed there in a variety of price ranges. There is a very upscale Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles with bellhops, valet parking, gormet food, kind of a neat place to stay (a 1920 hotel restored to it's original splendor) but it is pricey at 250/night and up.

|UPDATED|4/13/2004 9:45:08 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Lots more used parts at Carlisle, I'd go there.

Bloomington sounds like it is for the upity ups! I've never been there, but Carlisle is a better fit for those who like to get dirty. Fits me!! See you there in August.

--ERic

L82M21 said: Bloomington sounds like it is for the upity ups! I've never been there, but Carlisle is a better fit for those who like to get dirty.

Geez, I'm sorry if I left that impression, seems like most of the people I've met at the BG are wrenchers who get just as dirty as I do when there's a job to get done. I'm sure you will have a great time at Carlisle as well.

If you go to Carlisle, you'll get to meet me!!

But seriously, C3VR will have a vendor space there.

It is a great time and the Vette parade on Saturday night is a sight to be seen! There are a bunch of restaurants and bars in town, too. I stay in Mechanicsburg, which is about a 15 minute drive to the fairgrounds. You probably won't find any rooms available in Carlisle, but if you hurry you may still find rooms in Mechanicsburg. If not, you'll have to go to Harrisburg which is a 30 minute drive.

If you make it to Carlisle, make sure you stop by the C3VR tent and say hi!