Columbus Swap meet… worth the trip?

[AlanCasida]

I am considering going but for me it’s a 13 hour drive one way. I’d just like some input on what I might expect and is it worth the drive. I have never been but the idea of an all Ford swapmeet is appealing.

[Gregwill16]

Alan, I go every Spring and Fall, but I am only 3.5 hours away. Show is nowhere near as good as it used to be. No way would I go if I was beyond 5-6 hours away, much less 13 hours.

[GJCAT427]

I haven't been in a couple of years, but I did notice the last few years the stuff was getting thin. Also Lot of off categories were not automotive.  Still a good time though.

[Diogenes]

I've given up on the swap meet, and I live a little less than 2 hours away. Once upon a time, it was a phenomenal swap meet.

[cjshaker]

I've given up on the swap meet, and I live a little less than 2 hours away. Once upon a time, it was a phenomenal swap meet.

Same here. a 1 1/2 hr drive for me, and still not worth it anymore.

[Rory428]

Is this everybodys opinion of all automotive swap meets in recent years? The biggest swap meet that I ever went to , has been the Portland swap meet in Oregon, but since I have moved to the East coast of Canada , I have always wanted to take a big swap meet in the US Northeast. So, in a few weeks, a buddy and I are driving to the spring swap meet in Carlisle PA. Anybody have any thoughts about Carlisle? I believe it is only about an hour rom Beaver Springs, so if nothing else, it will give me an idea on how to get to Beaver Springs for the FE Race and Reunion in September. Looks to be about 18 hours of driving, each way. How about the Hershey swap meet?

[Diogenes]

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.

[AlanCasida]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think I will pass. The Tulsa Arms Show (World's largest gun show) is also this weekend and I think I'll go to it. It's only 2 1/2 hrs away and unlike automotive swap meets it seems to get bigger every year.   
Here is a link in case anyone is interested.
 http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/

[JacksFordParts]

Rory, I've been going to Carlisle for a very long time. I would highly recommend going to the Ford show in June instead of spring. When Carlisle started with the specialty shows, spring and fall really fell of.

[TurboChris]

Rory, I've been going to Carlisle for a very long time. I would highly recommend going to the Ford show in June instead of spring. When Carlisle started with the specialty shows, spring and fall really fell of.

How have I not heard of this? Wow, that's a big show. Back in the day we had it near me...the Great Western show at the LA County fairgrounds. Politics closed that down about 20 years ago. I think I may have to plan a trip to OK next year!

[cjshaker]

Rory, I've been going to Carlisle for a very long time. I would highly recommend going to the Ford show in June instead of spring. When Carlisle started with the specialty shows, spring and fall really fell of.

How have I not heard of this? Wow, that's a big show. Back in the day we had it near me...the Great Western show at the LA County fairgrounds. Politics closed that down about 20 years ago. I think I may have to plan a trip to OK next year!

Carlisle is in Pennsylvania. That would be a long haul for you.

[TurboChris]

Lol, I was speaking in reference to the Tulsa gun show. But yeah, Carlisle has been on my bucket list for decades as well! Problem is I'd have to fly in and can't take much in the way of parts home on a airliner.