Yes butt (TS&T), with just a little luck, for your money you can also get: 

Scratched paint
Dinged doors
Coke, mustard, or ketchup dribbled on your car
Dog pee on your wheels

BB
 

My Dad and I started going to the Atlantic City Car Show when I was probably about 10 or 12.  He used to call me out of school on Friday so we could see it when it wasn't swamped on Saturday.  It was a great time year after year.  My uncle bought his '66 Chevelle SS 396 convertible there one year.  I used to buy tons of parts for my Mustang there to save shipping cost, especially on big items like bumpers.  Tickets were about $5, and were more like $10 the last year my Dad and I went together.  The year my Dad got sick I went with a friend from college and we took pictures of all the cars my Dad would have wanted to see so we could show them to him when we got back (Oldsmobile 442 convertibles were probably his favorite).  After my Dad passed I kept going, but more sporadically.  Carlisle was also a good show so I tended to alternate years.  The last year I went was with my wife when we were first married.  Tickets were $20 each and it cost us over $50 to eat (burgers, fries, and sodas), so $90 without buying anything.  There were only a handful of parts vendors, mostly it was junky made in China tools.  There were still some really nice cars, but the event was smaller and weaker while being more expensive.  So I stopped going.  At that point all it was doing was sullying the memories I had of going with my Dad when I was a kid. 

So, I completely agree.  Honestly, I think admission should be $5 or free.  Or, if they really want to make money it should be free with a recommended donation of $5 (you rake in money like that; we do it at church all the time, people always put in at least $10).  A cost to show your car?  Sure, I get that, you can win a trophy.  In recent years I've found the quality of local shows has really improved, costs are still reasonable too.  Most of the vo-tech high schools have one every year.  The culinary program, handles the food, and the kids bring their cars to show.  My son has been to a couple and really, really likes them.  That kid can't do anything for more than ten minutes other than watch cartoons, but he can look at cars all day.  That's what car shows are supposed to be about; making memories between sons and fathers leading young people into our sickness, er, hobby. 

There are a number of local and semi-local shows here that charge $20 or $25 to register a car for the show.  I normally attend three or four a year and, like BillyC says, I go to hang with friends and acquaintances that appreciate the hobby.  Yes, I'm cynical about having to pay for the privilege putting on a show for the "common folk" and occasionally something bad can happen.  However, my previous post notwithstanding, my overall experience at shows has been good and even enlightening sometimes and I just write off the cost as part of the expense of owning and enjoying a classic car.   And, usually it is a good way to have a decent parking place while I attend the show.

But, $50 plus ... I may have to think about that.

BB

The best shows  (cruise in's etc).  will probably always be free.   That said, the last one I went to a couple of guys had a loud scream and shout match that almost came to blows because someone touched a motorcycle, or leaned over it too far or some other.   We was near it and had to hear it, as I was oogling over a 50's something Chrysler that someone brought with a satin black paint job.   Seemed like it was the most popular car there.  Come to think of it, sort of like the Vandalia bash.   I guess everyone loves those old Chryslers.   

GoodGuys is definitely the worst of all of the car show series I've seen, pricewise. I'd like to go just once just for the experience because it's a huge show, but I'm well aware that it's a "just once" thing. No way in hell I need to spend 50 bucks to put Jane on display. If I had a real show stopper that had a chance at winning their prize packages, yeah, okay. But I've just got a fun daily driver Mustang that gets driven thousands of miles a year and has the dings and dents to show for it.

I do like going to local car shows, but honestly I don't go to many. $20 is my cap, and charity is good. Don't like paying over 20 bucks for a field of 20 cars, with no extra services (music/food/whatever) and no charity. It's happened before and I immediately regretted it.

Now, Cars and Coffee or cruise-in type events are really my jam! There's a few good ones here in Austin though they're not giant. But hey, it is what it is (free and fun)!

Come to the MustangSteve BASH.
ONCE A YEAR.
FREE CAR SHOW.  NO prizes.  Just FUN
GREAT FRIENDS ATTEND FROM ENTIRE USA.
You won't regret coming.
This year... Ft Walton Beach, FL.  October 7

Individual locations are going to vary in terms of whats available to put on a show.  When there are costs to defray its hard to argue.  I think though that there's a world of difference between organizing a local club show and one of these giant shows that draws thousands or even tens of thousands of people.  Places like Carlisle don't have to pay for the venue; they own it, and have made enough profit over the years to buy even more land.  They get paid by vendors, participants, and attendees.  Clearly they are raking in money, yet instead of being content to be reasonable they decide to be greedy and gouge people.  Then when people get sick of it and move on they double gouge those who remain loyal and continue to attend. 

In the end I suppose its less about the cost of admission and more about the perception of value.  When ticket prices soar and they gouge attendees on food, drinks, parking, etc. the perceived value is low.  That's the real issue I have with the AC show, especially when the cost skyrocketed while the show itself started to suck.  I think I'd have less trouble paying $20 for entrance if the show was first rate and the parking, food, etc was reasonable.  When a family of three or four is forking over $100+ just to get in, park, and eat that's hardly reasonable.  I can go to our local Oktoberfest and spend $150 and have fun all afternoon, eat all manner of wurst, park, drink good Deutches bier, and my kid can go on twenty different rides for free.  A bit of apples and oranges I know, but my point is the perceived value is much higher. 

Ron68 wrote:

It also costs spectators $20 per carload to park and view the show.

​$20 per carload would be reasonable.  $20 PER PERSON is not, IMO.  I'm not expecting it to be free, but this clearly seems to be organized as a for profit venture.
 

Last edited by TremendousWand (3/20/2017 7:55 AM)

It's $50 for one day. IIRC it's $120 for the full 3 day event?

I would not complain about a 10 buck entree fee, the Mustang Club of America car shows that used to attend would cost me between $ 2000.00 to $ 3500.00 dollars getting to an event depending on the distance from home.
 The actual show entry fee varied from host club to host club but was always well over $60.00 for the three day events which in itself was really a bargain considering the logistics, trophys and security involved.
 In the 20 some odd years I roughly spent close to $30,000.00 going to those car shows.
 The many friendships that are made, the great people, getting to see 300 to 400 Mustangs in one place and the many many miles of driving an old classic to get there and back kinda makes it all worth while.