Is this everybodys opinion of all automotive swap meets in recent years?
I think the internet and, more recently, the covid over-reaction has had quite a negative impact on many swap meets, but the Columbus meet was fading away prior to covid. It's been a while since I've been, but the swap meet at the Auburn, Indiana auction was always pretty good, as was the Carlisle All Ford show. My past experiences have been that most swap meets that are not Ford specific always seemed to be far too GM focused. Springfield, Ohio has had a large swap meet, but again, very GM centered and I'd come home empty-handed, so I stopped going. I guess it all depends on what you're looking to purchase.
While the Auburn events are not Ford specific, there always seemed to be a diverse collection there, as with the auction. Adding to the draw of Auburn are the museums there, the National Auto & Truck Museum is there along with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, which alone are reasons to go to Auburn.