I also enjoyed the show. There was some confusion and I think unnecessary bad feelings caused by the decision to not allow early buyers in on Thursday. Many people were turned away and told to come back on Friday. While the show has always been announced as a Friday-Sunday show I've gone for 6 years in a row and have always particiapted in the Thursday parking lot time. So, even with the offical Friday-Sunday announement, in effect the show had been starting on Thursday as long as I have been involved. A clearly stated statement saying what the parking lot rules would be in advance would have saved everyone a great deal of bad feelings, frustration, and vacation days. Before things got started this year Mike Donnaly announced in a very nice and clear manner that next year there will be no Thrusday selling. Dealers from out of town would be welcome to leave trailers in the parking lot, but no selling. Selling for both Early Buyers and Dealers would start at 6am Friday. I think that is not on fair, it will probably improve the show. Too bad they couldn't have accomplished this without confusion and bad feelings.
Anyway, I saw machines I had never seen before in person. Many very rare machines and many way out of my price range. Even though I could not afford most of them it was a real treat to see them up close. I left the show happy and feeling like I purchased some nice things. I plan to attend next year and as long as the show lasts. And as always, the Saturday night trip to Jaspers was fantastic. I keep thinking I might tire of it, but I never do. Every year there are new and intersting things to see. It is a rare privilige and makes the trips to Union all the way from Oregon worth the trip. One more note... Things did seem a bit slower this year than previous years, although a lot of machines and related stuff changed hands. I wonder if the Friday night auction didn't dampen the buying on Saturday and Sunday. I think it's a bit odd to combine two events in the same weekend for the same crowd where both hope for money to be spent. I would guess the auction sellers with their rediculous 15% buyers premium probably came out the best of anyone. I would hope that the Friday night auction is a thing of the past. My 2 cents worth... Dan
