A Report From... The Response Part 1

This is the response from Farmington

Hi Connie - I hope to go over your comments and let me first say that I am glad you have shared these with me. It is our goal to make this event something that you (as car show participants) will enjoy and consider worth your while to attend.

A local car show participant contacted me and told me that what car show folks really like for food is a chicken BBQ. So - we decided to do it and advertised it with the event. I had contacted the local fire dept. to set it up, as well as other caterers, but no one wanted to do it. We ended up purchasing all of the materials and my brother sat in the hot sun all day cooking it - he is not part of the event committee, but volunteered to help me out. His wife and my mother and two of their friends also pitched in to set up and serve everything as they knew we were short-handed of volunteers yesterday.

I tried to get regular food vendors but everyone was committed that weekend to other events (fairs, etc.) so I had no choice but to at least do the BBQ. I had some who loved it and complimented on the food, and others who didn't care for it. We sold 76 out of 100 dinners.

Judging was done with a point system with the following categories (the same forms were used for all vehicles) ... paint, body and exterior modifications, engine, wheels and tires, interior modifications, glass windows, trunk/hatchback/cabin/or bed, display of vehicle.

It is the first time we had done a point system, the first year we did people's choice and I had many complaints about the 'good ol boy network' for that and felt the most fair way to determine winners was to go with judging and the point system. The judges were independent car people and did not know the participants.

I am open to a different way of doing it - can you explain the participation split ballot idea - is that easy to tally? how does it work? what do I need for forms, etc. If that is an acceptable way to determine winners from show participants - I would prefer to do it (thank you!)

Last year I did up 100 goody bags for 100+ participants and came back with two boxes of them - folks didn't want them and we wasted alot of things (not to mention the time to solicit donations and then put the bags together). So I cut it back to 50 this year. I didn't have 50 pre-registrations, so they were given out until they were gone. It's so hard for me to know how many folks will arrive and who wants what - my apologies you didn't receive one of these.

We did have participant ribbons and I sent one volunteer (my daughter) throughout the grounds to distribute to each participant. I forbid her to touch any of the vehicles (hang the ribbon on something) if there was no one at the vehicle. Some folks stopped by the registration table when they saw the ribbons with other vehicles and picked up one, I should have had the announcer mention they were available several times so everyone had the opportunity to get one - that was my error and I'm sorry you didn't receive one of those either. I would be happy to mail one to you if you like.

I would also like feedback on the fee. Some folks don't mind it, others do. I wonder if it would be better to just put a sign out at the gate that registration is FREE ($5.00 donation suggested) so that everyone has the opportunity to decide if they want to pay something or not? Of course, we would still need registration forms done so we know who's there and how to do awards etc. We rent the fairgrounds, provided free water, purchase all the supplies to run the show (soap, toilet paper, paper towels, signs, food, get tables/chairs, purchase ribbons, advertising, printing costs, and our awards alone are in the $2500-$3000 range but we want something nice that folks will be glad to have and display proudly and so many previous year participants have raved about them). We gave out 77 awards this year.

Our workers that day receive no compensation, it is strictly volunteer. Myself, my assistant, two of my board members, three member volunteers and seven members of my family put the show on yesterday and we really tried to do the best we could. We were short-handed and most of us were doing 2-3 jobs each. Not that it matters, but I am just offering an explanation of the work involved to do this and the fact that we really try (each year) to do better and meet the needs and interest of you, the participant.

I want your feedback and help to do the best we can, so thank you for sharing your thoughts. I can't fix it if I don't know :-) The local car club brought this event to us and asked if we would take it over. We are learning slowly so I appreciate your patience.

If you have the time to respond with some things I've asked - I would very much appreciate it. The committee will have a follow-up meeting soon to address the pro's and con's of the day.

Thank you Connie.


Lorna Nichols, Executive Director
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce