WagonFest Mid-Atlantic

I've been bouncing around the idea of holding another WagonFest here in VA. It's been a few years, three actually since the last (and first) one.

Posting to gauge interest in a repeat. Events will be similar to the one held in 2011. Original link here:
https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t4445-wagonfest-mid-atlantic

Date is TBD but will likely be either 18 or 25 October.

So who's interested?
Mike

I'm in, if it happens.

Count me in.  Assuming it would be on a Saturday, we could do a "prep" day again at the "Barefoot Garage" on Friday. Footwear optional.

October 25 is my birthday.

I'm in. Do it!

Mike

The 25th would be the best day for me. We always have the "BADASS" New England group roundup the Saturday after Columbus day which would make it the 18th.

Tom

silverfox103 wrote:

Mike

The 25th would be the best day for me.  We always have the "BADASS" New England group roundup the Saturday after Columbus day which would make it the 18th.

Tom

Same here, I'd like to go to both events.

The 25th is good for me...and I would most definitely be in

Chris

Too early to commit 100% but I am definitely interested.

Mike,
I would like to attend.

I have a friends wedding to attend on the 18th. So the 25th would be my preference.

Douglas.

Sounds good, will be there.

Sounds like a go to me"? Dunno If I could make it (doubtful) but you never know......

The date sounds good for me..

As Tom and Dave said, the 25th works best for me as well.

From Rochester NY to Andy Guest State Park --411 miles, 6 hours, 42 minutes with a strong bladder, or in other words, about 8 hours with mine.

lakeffect wrote:

From Rochester  NY to Andy Guest State Park --411 miles, 6 hours, 42 minutes with a strong bladder, or in other words, about 8 hours with mine.

I've done the drive straight through once or twice. But usually a stop for (human and car) fuel and potty break makes it easier. And usually it's right around 7 hours.

I've also done it on a single tank of gas once but those last few miles were a little worrisome.

I'm seeing a lot of folks preferring the 25th so I'm going to go with that date. Details will follow as we get closer but mark your calendars, it's on!

I would really like to go to this,.....wine tasting be part of the event?

I can bring my own straw,..  

Sounds good to me, October 25th is reserved.

I'm in!

I'd be up for that again, Mike. 25th would be great. I had a great time at the one you organized in '11. It was great seeing wagon folk from other parts of the country that I'd only known online. One of the standout things from that gathering was the cruise we all went on. The scenery was stunning on those beautiful country roads through the hills.

I'm booked at the Hampton Inn in town.

I'd be up for this one!  New(ish) member, and it's only a 2 hour drive down 81 for me.  The date works for me, but will book hotel after my Assateague Island camping trip in August.

Chris


(Edit, saw the 25th was confirmed ....after I posted)

Thought I'd bring the Mid-Atlantic Wagonfest back up to the top again. It 's next on our event list.

Any chance of getting group rates at a motel/hotel rates for us travelers?

Dave

I'm really interested in this too 25th sounds great always look forward to meeting new people and showing off the wagons.

lakeffect wrote:

Thought I'd bring the Mid-Atlantic Wagonfest back up to the top again. It 's next on our event list.

Any chance of getting  group rates at a motel/hotel rates for us travelers?

Dave

Being that this weekend will be near the fall color peak, I am not sure. If I have time, I'll hit up a couple hotels and see what they say.

Thanks for the bump too, was waiting for NY to finish before starting to really dig into plans here!

Mike, I can call the Hampton Inns and see what they have to say. You're correct about the hotels being busy. Last WF in VA, I wasn't able to stay at the Hampton in Front Royal, as they were full. So, I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Winchester. It is right off of the interstate and really not very far from Front Royal. I think it was roughly 20 minutes away. It was a very nice hotel and what I really liked, it was $25 to $30 cheaper than the one in Front Royal. I think it was around $68. We'll probably stay an extra nite and see some sites; will probably stay there as it is very handy.

Tom

There is also a Holiday inn in Front Royal. Very nice hotel and it has never been fully occupied when I have stayed there. There is also a HI Express in Stephen City, two in Winchester. AAA, A large company (Verizon Communications number is 000155276 on line), or a military background should help with the discounts.

I am just outside of Harrisburg, PA (about 2.5 hours from Front Royal). If anyone wants to stay local to my place on Friday afternoon/night you are welcome to come over and work on/wash cars at my place and then get on the road first think on Saturday morning. It would be neat to have a group of cars rolling down together that morning.

Hoping to making this event as well just need to preplan. Any info about hotels would be appreciated.

Well amazingly I'm planning to make this.    That's a LONG HAUL from Austin, but I've built up a lot of vacation time....and dammit, I want to meet you guys and see the toys in person.

I'm in deep debate right now about getting my wagon ready.   It runs and drives fine now, but I'm thinking of replacing the Opti, the fuel pump, doing a full tune-up and changing the trans and rear axle fluids.  

At 120K miles I do NOT want to have trouble on the trip.   It's about 1460-miles...each way.  Ha!

I'm going to stay with family one night in Northeast Arkansas going up and coming back, so breaking the drive up into two 10-hour days, and am considering towing my motorcycle on my small trailer for some riding in Virginia after the meet...always wanted to ride there, and my friend Ben from NJ may ride down on his Valkyrie.

PLANNING!!  Fingers crossed.  Would be a fun vacation for me.

-Mike

Good news!

Tom

Awesome Mike! Maybe do that stuff about a month or so before so you can shake out any problems beforehand.

Oh yeah, planning to do it the end of Aug or early Sept.

Hate to change out parts that are still working but better safe than sorry. I may just change the cap and rotor on the Opti....I mean it's just a distributor....no matter where it's mounted. If it's working, it's working. A cap, rotor and new plugs and wires should do it. And plugs. That car may have the original plugs in it....

The fuel pump....we'll I'd just feel better with a new one.

Projects!

81X11 wrote:

Oh yeah, planning to do it the end of Aug or early Sept.  

Hate to change out parts that are still working but better safe than sorry.   I may just change the cap and rotor on the Opti....I mean it's just a distributor....no matter where it's mounted.   If it's working, it's working.   A cap, rotor and new plugs and wires should do it.  And plugs.  That car may have the original plugs in it....  

The fuel pump....we'll I'd just feel better with a new one.

Projects!

Delco for everything especially the pump. Don't bother with aftermarket.

If you are going to do that level of maintenance I would strongly suggest you do it now or very soon.

That way you will have plenty of time to shake it out before you need to head out.

It's no fun thrashing at the last moment to get stuff done.

Been there done that.

Also like Justin suggests use Delco / OEM parts. Either Amazon or Rock Auto have new Delphi Optisparks in stock for about $280 (Delphi CZ20003). If you go the cap and rotor route don't forget to loctite the rotor screws. For plugs I would go with Autolite. AP106. I have had good luck with them.

Cadet57 wrote:

Awesome Mike! Maybe do that stuff about a month or so before so you can shake out any problems beforehand.

Will your car be running by then Justin, or will you be taking the Subaru again?

tom

silverfox103 wrote:

Cadet57 wrote:

Awesome Mike! Maybe do that stuff about a month or so before so you can shake out any problems beforehand.

Will your car be running by then Justin, or will you be taking the Subaru again?

tom

Brandon is looking at it Monday   Intake is done, T-stat is done. But now it wont keep timing. It runs, but not great.

I've made a sticky thread with info. I took my old thread and used most of the text, going through to make sure links and such are still accurate. Hotel information will be posted soon. If group rates are available a note will be made there too!

I've checked with both Hampton Inn's about group rates, waiting for call's back from the person that does that. It will probably be early next week. From talking to them, they know, as Mike said, that it is peak foliage season.

Tom

silverfox103 wrote:

I've checked with both Hampton Inn's about group rates, waiting for call's back from the person that does that.  It will probably be early next week.  From talking to them, they know, as Mike said, that it is peak foliage season.

Tom

Seems it's a good thing I booked when I did then. But, if the group rate works out I may rebook it.

I checked the pricing on the Holiday Inns in the area and they start @ $94 up to $140. Crazy prices for that area.

As I said, fall color change. Huge tourist draw from mid to late October. Prices have been adjusted to reflect.

Looking forward to attending another WF and seeing the gang. Tim I will stop off at the barefoot garage and head down with yourself and whoever else stops in.

JP

Based on reading through this thread and a couple PM's, I've added an attendee list to the sticky. Check it out and let me know if there are any corrections.

So Tim if we stay at your place Friday night what's for Breakfast? LOL!

Good question... Peace , Love, BACON!

Make it two for dinner, My wife and I.

DBeaSSt wrote:

Based on reading through this thread and a couple PM's, I've added an attendee list to the sticky.  Check it out and let me know if there are any corrections.

Cadet57, Justin+1

I can't help but note that almost all of the people signed up have already been to at least one Wagonfest before, and in many cases, they've been to several events before. Look  closer and you'll find  that out of over 1220 forum members, they tend to be the most active  in terms of posts as well.

Maybe they know that a Wagonfest and this forum is a good time and good place to be shared with people having the same interests. What about the other 1200 members here?

MY point is... If you haven't been to a Wagonfest... SIGN UP and GO!

phantom 309 wrote:

I would really like to go to this,.....wine tasting be part of the event?

Hey Nick, if you are serious about the wine tasting, I's be happy to to that with our wives. My wife, Janet, has been recovering from knee replacement surgery. Because of that, tours that have lots of walking, like caverns and civil war sites are out for us. Sitting down and  slurping up some wines would be just fine.

There are three wineries listed as being east of Winchester VA. others are way south of where we'll be.

Dave

1993 Roady-man wrote:

So Tim if we stay at your place Friday night what's for Breakfast? LOL!

Jarrod seems to be volunteering to make breakfast for us all. Very generous of you sir! LOL Let me know what I need to stock the kitchen with.

lakeffect wrote:

Make it two for dinner, My wife and I.

And Dave is cooking dinner. This IS going to work!!

Sorry Tim, The dinner reference was for the Saturday night cruise that Mike had asked about.

Notice that at WF I had someone else light the fires.