Tips For Planning a Car Show
(All photos from the Atlanta S/E VW Club's 6th Annual Heart of Dixie Car Show, Alpharetta, Ga June 19, 2004)
- Carefully select your venue grounds. Look for electrical power needs, lighting requirements, and plenty of space (for vehicles in show & parking for those coming to see the show). Check with the local businesses if you will be using their spaces! Ask for donations for your giveaways! Tell them you will mention their services during your event over the PA system.
- Choose games & activities for adults & children. I recommend keeping it relavant to car related themes. If you expect lots of smaller chilren attending with their parents, you might even consider renting a moon walk.
- Play a mixture of music to match the types of people at the event. Obviously, you will want to play music popular at most any car show (Little Deuce Coupe, Hot Rod Lincoln, Beep Beep, Low Rider) but you may also want to mix in some current top hits from rock, dance and country genres. But, don't be afraid to be different and offer than the "norm" here. People like music!
- Food: keep it simple? Favorites include pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, soft pretzels & funnel cakes. But, don't be afraid to be different and offer other than the "norm" here either. People like to eat while resting or while viewing the cars too! Offer benches or picnic tables if possible.
- Don't forget to have plenty of ice cold drinks on hand, as everyone is going to be hot! Keep the drinks in a cooler or a big tub with ice. If serving drinks over ice, remember to use plastic cups for safety. A healthy alternative to sodas is to provide fresh fruit drinks, such as punch. If serving frozen drinks, remember to pass out plenty of napkins to insulate with! Stay away from alcoholic beverages. It opens up too many liabilities with vehicles & participants on the premises.
- Decorations can add to the atmosphere of the event. Try to find items from the repsresented years (fifties, sixties, seventies, etc.) and place them around the grounds for visual effect & to use with photos.
- Contact the really fun people from your local car groups, and involve them in planning the event. Just a few suggestions: mention music / DJ / band(s), planned activities & FUN (raffles, door prizes, products or vendor services on display) and foods / beverages to be offered.
- Have a backup plan in the event of bad weather! If rain threatens, either plan to move the event to an inside location (obviously the cars will remain outside!), like a clubhouse or ballroom, or put a rain out date on the event announcements ... usually the next day or the same day one week later.
Return to the Main Page Have a Great Car Show!!!
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