Willing To Start Something, Input Please

[oldfart36]

Posted This In The "Events" Section As Well.

OK, probably hanging myself out to dry here, but I would like to see a swap meet for my surrounding areas.

I have 10 acres right off 400 Hwy on a major road here in Southeast Kansas (Parsons), 60 miles west of Joplin Mo.. I'm willing to offer up my place for an event, and would like interested parties to help and be involved. The location is great for the surrounding 3-4 states.

I've had experience in auto related swap meets, and would like to make something happen for bikes, and related items in my area.

All input would be apprieciated, positive, negative, ect.

 

[ODDER]

Sounds like fun. I'd be willing to help.spread the word. Draw flyers. Help with relieving people of their cool parts while they help me lighten my billfold.

 

[Bicycle808]

Great idea; as a NJ guy, I probably won't make it, but I think you'll have best results if you set out to make it an annual event, and let it grow naturally. The first year will likely be great, but it might not have the best turnout.... I think these kinds of things take time to gain traction.

 

[bikedudeomaha]

sounds like a great idea. I know at least 4-5 people personally here in Omaha who would be interested in attending.

 

[oldfart36]

Thanks for the support guys. Would love to have bike guys and their families hanging out, talking bikes. My forward 5 acres would make a great place to start, whether it be 10 or 100 participants, and progressing from there.

I would like to step further by saying, I like the idea of "annually", family oriented. Late summer, 10-12 hour event.

 

[ODDER]

Are there any good camping areas lakes/rivers close? Family oriented is awesome! I love keeping the kids involved.

 

[g-ratter]

When i was involved in flying R/C gliders our club put on an symposium each year. We held it at a small airfield. Different members would volunteer to give lectures or demonstrations in different subjects. i.e.:building foam wings,flying in competitions,photographing your planes, etc. We would even bring in outside guest speakers such as guys from kit manufacturers. And of course there was lots of flying. A lot of use camped out on the property.
Most of the participants were from the surrounding states but it did grow to the point we had people from some distant states making a vacation of it.
Maybe thinking alone these lines might be interesting. people giving demos on welding,painting,leather work etc.

 

[oldfart36]

Are there any good camping areas lakes/rivers close? Family oriented is awesome! I love keeping the kids involved.

People could camp in my back 5 acres, I also have a 1 acre pound back there. There are 4 hotels, and 1 RV park within 2 miles of my place. and 2 lakes, one approx. 5 miles away the other approx. 25 miles. The town of Parsons is only 1,1/2 miles from my place, 5 resturants, etc.

 

[ODDER]

Right on. I've been through Parsons. But it was 20 years ago. This has the potential to turn into something great. Let me know if I can help.

 

[oldfart36]

I think we might try this.

Suggestions for a fall date would be helpfull

September??? 2nd Saturday for example?

Should vender fee be charged? if so how much?

 

[g-ratter]

Since it is a first year I think it might be best to invite venders as guests then in the future have a charge. We use to be able to get some goodies from them as raffle prizes.
If I remember correctly it cost $50 to attend the 3 day event and a slight charge for camping on the property.

 

[oldfart36]

I don't really care about the money, mainly care about the bikes, people and the stories.

I would like it to be a small show to. The only money I would care about recovering would be to support gifts and trophies, which wouldn't be a whole lot.