So what makes a car show good?

I organize a small (about 150-200 cars) car show here in our little town. And I'm always thinking about how to make it more interesting and a bit different so there car owners will come back every year.
So what, in your opinion, makes a car show good or not so good?

 

good.....


Free crap!

every hour or 1/2 hour..... 'First person to show up with a


or new....



or a....


gets a free what ever,,,,,t-shirt, hot dog, soda pop...etc.

Car quiz questions are a big hit also

Our local car show does this, some for the car owners present (car tool, what ever) and for the spectators who are there... pink t-shirt, blue socks.... you get the idea. INCLUDE little kids in this....first little kid shows up with a _______ gets a free ice cream from a vendor ( Vendors don't mind this as they know the ice cream bar for a kid, or just a hot dog for dad..... who ever will spend more $ when they claim there prize.

50/50 draws every hour for a charity is a big hit also

Get a local radio station involved if you can!!! They alone provide free crap


A bummer at cars shows IMO.....

Mr/Mrs microphone spending WAY to much time blabbing....keep it simple and short people crowd around. Long winded bad humor ..... people just walk away and lose interest fast.

 

I like a lot of variety. Unless it's a show for a specific type or make, it's good to have something for everybody. OK to have some low riders, as long as they don't make it a monopoly (for instance).

A show your size, you probably don't want to impose too many limits on year, modifications, etc.

Publicize the awards you are going to have, so that it might attract some interest for someone with a particular feature - best paint; best wheels & tires;best interior; etc........

 

A band is nice but only if they are quiet enough to still have a conversation.

 

Car show

Car parts, reasonably priced hats and t-shirts. Good looking women.
Good variety of food.

 

Gawd here I am agreeing with Fat Tedy again! Plus...............
Car parts, reasonably priced hats and t-shirts. Good looking women.

Good variety of food.

Oh yea and lots of cool cars!

 

That's cool that you do that, Fannie! There are some car shows here each summer that I like to take my kids too. A variety of cars is good, from the 1920s through the 70s or even 80s.

What about… a bbq that raises money for a good cause (like a school or something), or food trucks like tacos or local specialties?

 

Bands can really liven things up, but are best suited to allotted time slots so people can prepare for the onslaught. Surf music, rockabilly, blues, doo wop, or any primal, roots type music works very well with older cars. A savvy DJ with a great collection of car themed songs is even better. The volume can be set at a more tolerable level. Fun themes can add sparkle too. I attend west coast tiki and/or surf themed shows, and some of them have car shows, or various car clubs who set up displays. Use your imagination and try a few things. Gauge people's responses to see what works best!

 

When we had our car club in this small tri-county area we held a large winter show at the State Park during a sort of carnival event. We'd set up our own food tent and sell hot dogs, burgers, etc. at just over cost. We made lots of food vendors upset but we still made money to donate to a different charity each year.
Things like food tents, raffles, 50/50 and those free things donated by local businesses keep crowds coming back.
Sadly the club just slowly folded and disappeared.
I agree a varity of cars from old to new, hotrods, customs, and everything in between makes shows more interesting. We even had a motorcycle class.
A good DJ and music that's not too loud is a must.

 

Car shows with many different types cars are the most interesting.
People like free stuff and hotrod music.

 

Yes, inclusion of a variety of vehicles can really liven things up. A lot of people have been fixing up vintage custom vans from the 60s and 70s the last several years. You can set up areas for vans, motorcycles, hot rods, muscle cars, STATION WAGONS, vintage trailers, even imports (if you desire). No offense to anyone, but I still find it best to keep a cut off year, e.g. 1970, 1980, etc. to keep out a landslide of rice rockets or modern cars, which are just boring at a car show. You don't want to hear modified 4 bangers revving their engines all day long, or see umpteen '08 Daytonas and Mustangs.

 

I'm not really into vans altho owned two late model vans. But while at a very large city wide car event in Waukegan, Illinois there was a van section with updated 50's 60's vans, or whenever they were popular. It was as interesting as looking at 32 Fords, 57 Chevys, and even old station wagons.
Some people hate motorcycles and get turned off. We also enjoy seeing the older bikes and choppers.
Not so much into rice rockets and 2015 Camaros and Vettes! Something about jacked up 1987 pick up trucks also turns me off!
But I've learned long ago if I don't like something I still can walk away!
I remember way back when i first got our 55 Chevy wagon finished and took it to car shows. Wagons weren't in back then. We heard people asking "why's that old station wagon here?" I won first in class in that first show. Somebody got it!

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. It sounds like what I'm already doing is meeting the expectations of most. I think this will be year number 8( better check that).
I allow cars of varying age groups right up to post 2000. We are located in a great parking area right off the highway. There is a Tim Horton's and KFC in the parking lot and a DQ right across the street. The volunteer fire fights have a hot dog/sausage bbq on site. I have a DJ playing 50/60 music and making any announcements. I have give aways for the drivers during the show as well as dash plaques for every driver that registers. Last year I discovered the local dairy/ice cream producers will come out to the car show and GIVE out free ice cream bars to the kids. I had Smokey the bear shaking hands with the kids and the local radio station summer van giving out treats as well. The fireman also bring out their BIG truck for the kids to check out.
I've never had vendors selling cars parts...I have thought about it but have just never gone that route.
I have been thinking about bringing back the parade around town following the show, for those who want to join in. I had put an end to it after
some guy (not a show car) threatened one of the fire fighters, who was directing traffic, with his car. The RCMP told me if I got a parade permit they could direct the traffic out of the parking lot. It would be easier(saver) that way.
I often read about you guys going to shows and it was "a good show" or not so good and I was wondering what made a car show good or not. Thanks for the input.

 

Fast or slow, what people who go to car shows want is uniqueness of the vehicle. A one off or very rare car can take the trophy home every time. Or the car can be a regular stable pony with an odd engine combination. Whatever the combination, something weird about it is what draws the crowds.
Dave

 

Fannie you are doing a great job with your car show. Sounds like everything any show would have. The bonus is the pretty gal putting it on!
As for rare and weird I believe that's why we won first in our class at our very first show, a Fathers Day event. The wagon was unusual and I was weird!