OCA Nationals witchita KS
#1
OCA Nationals witchita KS
Hey everyone, I’ve never been to the OCA Nationals before. I can only do 3 days. Can you give me an idea of what goes on so I can plan my trip?
im aware of the tourist excursions on Wednesday - Friday, but I’m more interested in coming in just for the cars. So are all the cars there Friday in the day? Anything going on Friday night? Is Sunday a fly home day or do things go on all day? —Thanks, Billy
im aware of the tourist excursions on Wednesday - Friday, but I’m more interested in coming in just for the cars. So are all the cars there Friday in the day? Anything going on Friday night? Is Sunday a fly home day or do things go on all day? —Thanks, Billy
#2
Friday is judging day, so all the cars will be on the showfield then. On either side of that, people come and go. Keep in mind that this is an indoor show, so there will be limits on when cars can enter and leave the facility. Swap meet can go either way. The most prized items are usually gone early in the week, however the best deals can be had late in the week when people figure out they don't want to lug stuff home. Friday night is drag racing night.
#3
To finish the thought, with the banquet and awards and all on Saturday night, I would imagine Sunday is everyone-leaves day and that the showfield is pretty much a ghost town by noon. I wouldn't plan on seeing cars or finding any swap meet vendors on Sunday.
I have not been to that many Nationals. I went to Gettysburg, but my schedule had me able to be there only on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday through about 12 noon. I was surprised by how few cars were there (at least in the show area) before I left on Thursday. I expected to see more. I think it really is true that, if you want to see the most cars possible, Friday is the day.
I have not been to that many Nationals. I went to Gettysburg, but my schedule had me able to be there only on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday through about 12 noon. I was surprised by how few cars were there (at least in the show area) before I left on Thursday. I expected to see more. I think it really is true that, if you want to see the most cars possible, Friday is the day.
#4
To finish the thought, with the banquet and awards and all on Saturday night, I would imagine Sunday is everyone-leaves day and that the showfield is pretty much a ghost town by noon. I wouldn't plan on seeing cars or finding any swap meet vendors on Sunday.
I have not been to that many Nationals. I went to Gettysburg, but my schedule had me able to be there only on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday through about 12 noon. I was surprised by how few cars were there (at least in the show area) before I left on Thursday. I expected to see more. I think it really is true that, if you want to see the most cars possible, Friday is the day.
I have not been to that many Nationals. I went to Gettysburg, but my schedule had me able to be there only on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday through about 12 noon. I was surprised by how few cars were there (at least in the show area) before I left on Thursday. I expected to see more. I think it really is true that, if you want to see the most cars possible, Friday is the day.
#5
Thanks very much. I think I can swing coming in Thursday night and then fly out Sunday. I’m looking forward to the Friday night drag race.
I have years of experience going to and working for media, pop culture and sci fo conventions. One thing I really like is panels or presentations about stuff. Do they do that at these big car events? I’d love to listen to car collectors or restorers or even long time collectors talk or do slide shows about Oldsmobiles. —Billy
I have years of experience going to and working for media, pop culture and sci fo conventions. One thing I really like is panels or presentations about stuff. Do they do that at these big car events? I’d love to listen to car collectors or restorers or even long time collectors talk or do slide shows about Oldsmobiles. —Billy
#6
Typically there will be presentations scattered over the week.
#7
I see in the OCA magazine that there is a drag race show on the Friday night of the Nationals. Does anyone know much about this? Will it be primarily Oldsmobiles? Do they allow out of town cars to race. (Not that I have a car, I’m just hoping to see vintage Olds race. ) -Billy
#10
#11
#12
OCA Nationals
I have been a swap meet vendor at the OCA national meets many times. This year the cars will be inside, but the swap meet is scheduled to be outside. I try to get there the day before to scope out the area and get my space assignments, and possibly start setting up. If I can't set up, then I get there early in the morning on the first day (this year it's Tue. the 25th) and get my spaces set up. For the most part, I am at my spaces most of the time. Hours of operation for most vendors are usually around 8 AM to 5 PM. I close up early Fri. (around 4 pm) and get ready to go to the drag strip. Saturday, depending on weather and tire kickers, I close up sometime around 3 PM and pack my truck for the trip home, and get ready to attend the banquet. Early Sunday morning I am on the road home (Naperville IL).
One of the things to consider would be the weather. If it rains during the day most vendors will close up or have their stuff covered by tarps. If they have a canopy they may stay open. I have a canopy. If it rains or threatens to rain on Friday afternoon, drag racing is usually cancelled. In the last 5 years we have been rained out twice, at Springfield IL, and at Gettysburg PA last year. I think that most of the vendors operate the way I do. Plan accordingly and have a great time.
One of the things to consider would be the weather. If it rains during the day most vendors will close up or have their stuff covered by tarps. If they have a canopy they may stay open. I have a canopy. If it rains or threatens to rain on Friday afternoon, drag racing is usually cancelled. In the last 5 years we have been rained out twice, at Springfield IL, and at Gettysburg PA last year. I think that most of the vendors operate the way I do. Plan accordingly and have a great time.
#14
Looks like flights are too expensive from Long Island to Wichita and with very little interesting sites to see in the Wichita area, I’m not gonna make it.
But 2020 is in Nashville - a great town with Lots to do.
I think I’ll turn my attention this summer to the Lansing Olds homecoming.
Any one have opinions on that show? -Billy
But 2020 is in Nashville - a great town with Lots to do.
I think I’ll turn my attention this summer to the Lansing Olds homecoming.
Any one have opinions on that show? -Billy
#15
Homecoming is actually bigger than any national event! I would say 25-40%. It's consistently over 500 in cars and the swap meet is a big or bigger than any nationals. Fusicks come all the way for just one day of business.
Pat
Pat
#16
Haven't figured out if I'm going to make it this year. I have a self diagnosed sickness as where I need to drive there. I'll most likely not have the time to do the trip trip, 4-5 days on the road and 3-4 there. If I do, when I hit ID, I'm going to follow Pac-rat and see what falls out of his trailer.
#17
Sounds great. I’m about 10 hours drive away from Lansing, so will drive to on Friday and home on Sunday. I hear they open the Olds museum Saturday night. Is there any other important Olds sites to see? Is the location of the original factory worth checking out? —Billy
#18
Plants 2 and 3 are on Saginaw street are gone, just grass and concrete. I did see that they are using plant 3's concrete area to store the Enclave and Traverse SUV's
Plant 5 is now owned by Ryder trucking.
Pat
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