You asked...
Tips for the day visitor can be a little different than the overnighter. Ive been doing it for years, off and on since high school plus daughter went to Dickinson and spent all my car money. That place owes me big time. So here is a day plan that I usually follow.
First bring hat and sunblock and small backpack. Backpack to hold the stuff you bring and the little stuff you buy. Comfortable full toe shoes cuz you will be walking on rocks half the time. Its usually hot as crotch rash in jeggings so maybe a battery fan. Powder maybe. Bring a second shirt and leave it in the car. Also a sealable Yetti or similar is wise.
Bring a list of parts you are looking for because you will forget when confronted with the unending piles. If you have pics on your phone that’s good too to show the vendors. If you have the actual part – like broken hinge cover – bring that too. Not only car parts but if you need supplies like paint, grinding wheels, wax, cheap quality tools, make a list of that too. The prices are not that good anymore but the selection is incredible. Arrive before 9. Come up 15 to Dillsburg then left on 74. Stop at Rutters and get a Rutters Tea and piss. Good time to tell wife the bathrooms at the fairgrounds are very well kept but also moist and well used. Women’s room probs better.
When you get downtown you will be on E High St and the most direct route is right on S Hanover….however, depending on the time, it will be full of cars going slow to the fairgrounds. Screw that and go straight through the intersection and make the first right on N. Pitt. Keep going on Pitt until you hit G, H, and I streets. Free parking on the street or pay to park in people’s yards. My new thing these past years is to park at Desperate Times Brewing which is right outside of Gate 1. You would think it would be full but no. If you are going to pay, then be as close as possible. Wife will thank you.
Through Gate 1 and it begins. Get a free event booklet. It will have maps on it. C-bodies are kind of in the middle. Its all parts at this entrance till you get further back. So make a choice if its parts or cars first. When the wife takes a deep breath and sighs you can find the various craft vendors, the womens tent, and my favorite the giant metal sculpture vendor. 5 foot chickens and the like. They serve breakfast at the fairgrounds under the grandstands. For lunch get a Big Smokey at one of the vendors and take it to the grandstands where you spread out on cool shade covered aluminum seats and spill crap on your shirt. Of course you have go up the hill past the 14 identical purple challengers. At the top of the hill first look back and take the required vista picture of the masses. It is cool. This a good time to give the wife the Mufasa speech -
Everything The Light Touches Scene - THE LION KING (1994) Movie Clip - YouTube but change it up with appropriate language. After your thighs rest keep going back past the trucks to the tree shade and watch the Hellcat thrill ride thing. If you want to wait for an hour in line do it. Its kinda worth it. Once.
Around 3 you will be getting tired so leave and, after changing into fresh shirt, go in the brewery and wash your face 3 times and the sticky part opposite your elbow and of course get a beer sampler flight. Get your second wind and then go back down Pitt street to High again and eat an early dinner in town. I say in town cuz nobody from the car show seems to do in-town things. Good places are Bruges Café, Molly Pitcher brewery, Issei Noodle, The Grazery. For something not beer Grand Illusion Cidery is nice but not really a restaurant. Also past the college is The Pizza Grille which despite the name is cool place with Garage door openness and good pizza and fresh salads. I would suggest the cheap Carlisle Diner but your legs will stick to the vinyl. On your way back to 15 make one last stop at Stans Beverage Distribution on the right and witness the PA style beer warehouse. You want some Burbon - nope none, not allowed. Just a box of wine? No - just beer damn it. . Find random crap you never heard of and buy it cuz your tired. You will likely have to buy a case. Once on 15 watch out for the cops on the long straightaways. If you still have energy stop at Gettysburg and/or the outlets there. Get home and take a cold shower and find out what areas you missed with sun block. Probs tops of ears.
