So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

[Monte M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

For those of use that are on the other end of the country, (CA), I have learned not to go on the year where the event venue changes. Back in the Decater days it even took a few years to work some of the bugs out.
There is a learning curve each time things change. After a year or two it may be time to take a look again.
If you are going for the social aspect of the event it becomes a very personal thing.

If you are going for the event, each year it is going to be less and less to see that sparks a new interest.

You have to remember, there are so many of whatever car you pick, out there, it is difficult for the event to surprise anyone.

Think back to the first few times you went. Think about all that kept you entertained. Those things are just the norm now.

You have to remember to take it for what it is. Each time you do something a little of the excitement may drift away.

I do not climb into bed each night with the same enthusiasm as I used to. I do not see BG with the same enthusiasm as I used to. lol

It is about still having fun with what it is you end up doing, or not........................

It is still a nice event and with any luck they will work out a few of the bugs to make it a better event next year/time.

[Terry M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

For those of use that are on the other end of the country, (CA), I have learned not to go on the year where the event venue changes. Back in the Decater days it even took a few years to work some of the bugs out.
There is a learning curve each time things change. After a year or two it may be time to take a look again.
If you are going for the social aspect of the event it becomes a very personal thing.

If you are going for the event, each year it is going to be less and less to see that sparks a new interest.

You have to remember, there are so many of whatever car you pick, out there, it is difficult for the event to surprise anyone.

Think back to the first few times you went. Think about all that kept you entertained. Those things are just the norm now.

You have to remember to take it for what it is. Each time you do something a little of the excitement may drift away.

I do not climb into bed each night with the same enthusiasm as I used to. I do not see BG with the same enthusiasm as I used to. lol

It is about still having fun with what it is you end up doing, or not........................

It is still a nice event and with any luck they will work out a few of the bugs to make it a better event next year/time.

I can't top the climbing into bed line -- nor would I try.

But I must have missed the years in Decatur. But then I know from the perspective of California all these small towns in the cornfields look the same. I just had to rub it in Monte.

[Monte M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Terry,
Where was it the first year it left Bloomington?

I think we actually stayed in Decatur, which made quite an impact. All these years later that is the town that is stuck in my mind.

Getting old is rough.

Monte

[Monte M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

SPRINGFIELD, was a lot of fun.

Ha! Ha!

So was Deactur, if you know what I mean. We never stay there again, but it stuck in my brain for some strange reason.

There are SOME nice little towns out there in that part of the country. There are also a few questionable ones as well.

I do remember having a good time though. That is was matters.

The spelling must have mixed me up. They are pretty close. lol

Monte

[Sal C.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

"Has anyone else noticed that all of their T shirts and pins said it was their 40TH year. The problem is it started in 1973 and that makes it 41 years. So does that make our shirts and stuff collectable??"

No. There was one year, and I don't remember which, where the Bloomington Gold event was not held.

[William L.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

"
No. There was one year, and I don't remember which, where the Bloomington Gold event was not held.

I don't remember that but I sure remember that one year there was 2. One put on by John & Shirley White who were 2 of the original members of the "Bloomington Corvette Corral" and one put on by David Burroughs who is the founder of "Bloomington Gold". I am pretty sure that the 1st Bloomington Gold award was presented on 24 June 1978.

[Terry M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

If they charged $8 a night for parking then it makes our hotel an even better deal than I originally calculated. For the 2 of us the dorm room would have been $54 a night plus $8 for parking which entitled us to 2 beds and a trip down the hall to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Our hotel room was $54.95 for the first 2 nights and $89.99 for the 3rd. which included free parking and breakfast (OK, so it is hotel breakfast food but it is food). We stayed about 2 1/2 miles from the show so we were there in about 10 minutes. And I waited until 3 weeks before the event to try and get a hotel room and there were plenty available. It is absolutely true that there needs to be better signage or something to help connect the 2 swap fields. And there needs to be enforcement of the no parking on the swap field if the vehicle is not being used for sales. Probably a third of both fields had cars and trucks parked on a spot with no table or indication that it was necessary for sales. We park our van on the spot but put a sale table in front of it and use it all day long to retrieve inventory. Too many around us were just parked and locked.
Jeff

Just a brief not to correct your math Jeff:
I could have stayed in a single room for the same $27 and change. The double was no financial advantage to me or my roomie. Full disclosure: Since I judged I received the usual breakfast of judges at the field.

[Terry M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Terry,
Where was it the first year it left Bloomington?

I think we actually stayed in Decatur, which made quite an impact. All these years later that is the town that is stuck in my mind.

Getting old is rough.

Monte

Monte, IIRC the progression has been:

Bloomington, IL McLean County Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL IL State Fairgrounds
Bloomington, IL International Center
St Charles, IL Pheasant Run Resort
Champaign, IL U of I Campus

[Michael H.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Who judged 63's?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Just a brief not to correct your math Jeff:
I could have stayed in a single room for the same $27 and change. The double was no financial advantage to me or my roomie. Full disclosure: Since I judged I received the usual breakfast of judges at the field.

Terry,
You are right- the cost at the dorm was $27 plus change per bed so for the 2 of us it would be upwards of $54 for each night. That was close to the cost at the hotel for the first 2 nights. The 3rd night was more but we felt it was well worth the difference.
Jeff

[Guy L.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

Regarding 40th year: It was our 41st show, our 40th year.
Think of a baby's first year, it is zero years old its second year of life, it is one year old. And so on. Or use your own milestone birthday of 30, 40, or for most of us, more!
Anyway, one can probably spin it different ways. We went w same way Chevy did for the Vette; born in 1953, this is its 60th. Blm Gold born in 1973, this is its 40th.
thanks
Blm Gold Guy

[Jim R.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

I liked it best in springfield.

[Dick W.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

I liked it best in springfield.

Fairgrounds in Bloomington were by far the best. I attended events in the other locations but the atmosphere was not the same. Maybe I am getting old and grouchy though. Gotta smell a little livestock odors. First year as a vendor I was in the sheep barn.

[Mark D.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

I've heard a lot of good things about the Champaign location. Most of us, here, have known this event for decades so it's good to see it in Guy's capable hands. I have no doubt he will have the pesky problems ironed out next year. Only 350-some days...

[Rex M.]

Re: So what's the verdict-Bloomington?

I've been to several car events over the last 40 yrs and I think BG in Champaign was great, especially for the first time! The traffic and getting around was easy compared to Chicago. Swap meet was OK. It's only going to get better. And what about Old Town? Is it still going to happpen in January? Rex