Since 1986, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds have offered some international flair to automotive enthusiasts by way of the annual import car show.  The event has evolved over the years and today’s iteration, known as the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals, returns for its 40^th offering May 16-17.  In doing so, the grounds will once again highlight some of the best rides from around the globe, both on the Showfield and by way of Featured Vehicle displays.

When the gates open on Friday, May 16, guests will roll in to enjoy nearly 2,000 show cars and trucks from around the world.  There are at least eight different countries showcased, with England being one of them.

The TR7 was Triumph’s last TR car with its production lineage dating back to 1975.  Fast forward to May and the plan is to celebrate the famous wedge design.  We are looking for several examples to display indoors at the show. This is open to all variants of the TR7 and of course, the TR8.  In addition to the cars on display, there’s a goal of amassing a gallery of TR7/TR8 memorabilia and/or collectibles to showcase too.

This display will be one of many, as car clubs take center stage to highlight what drives their passion.  This includes a massive display from the SAAB Club, Volvo Club, Porsche Club, Opel Club, BMW Club and more.  In addition, there will be a general featured vehicle display that will no doubt include at least one super car.  It’s a guarantee that guests will see something they’ve never seen before, either on grounds or within a display. 

Another great display to check out can be found just east of Building T.  That’s where the race-prepared vehicles call home.  The race paddock is reserved exclusively for vehicles that are set up for racing.  This includes road racers, autocross cars, drag racing, rally cars, and more.

Speaking of race cars, more so cars with their wheels in motion, the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals also hosts a variety of track-tivities.  This includes drifting and autocross powered by NICOClub, a rolling burnout contest, and drift limbo.  In addition, there are on-grounds parades, low car limbo, and even a rolling exhaust contest.  Best of all, these activities and displays all happen with the backdrop of car clubs, automotive flea market vendors, a great concessions area, and over 20,000 guests. 

A complementary component of the event is the 3^rd annual Brew Mixer. This will be held on Saturday of the event weekend and takes place directly across from the Food Court, making for one-stop shopping for food, beverage and live music. The Brew Mixer will host a variety of central Pennsylvania breweries offering their own unique beverage options. All of this is enhanced by local bands playing everything from covers to original songs. Access to the Brew Mixer is included with admission to the show.

Gates open at 7 AM each day and kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.  Complete details about the 2025 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals, including information on how to become a vendor, register for the Showfield, apply for display consideration, or simply purchase discounted spectator admission tickets can be found at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Do you enjoy a good discount?  How about the convenience of being able to gift something you know someone special in your life enjoys?  Oh…and are you a gift giver, either during the holiday season or as part of a special occasion?  If you answered YES to these questions AND you or someone you know is into the collector car hobby, then Carlisle Events has the deal of the year just for you!  The annual Carlisle Events Holiday Sale returns in 2024 with savings, convenience, and even gift cards!

Holiday Sale 2024/25 starts at 8 AM on Friday, November 29 (Black Friday) and runs through Thursday, January 2 at 5 PM.  During the run of the sale, those who buy will be doing so at a 20% savings on Showfield or Fun Field registrations, single-day spectator admission tickets, event passes, and the best value of them all, season passes.  Regardless of what is bought, savings are key, especially for a season pass.  Season passes are regularly $89.99 and are best for those who attend multiple events as a spectator; someone who walks the grounds to look at the show cars and trucks or purchase items within the automotive flea market. 

During the sale, they’ll be available for just $71.99 ($69.99 for AACA members), meaning you can walk through the gates for an average of around $2.00 per day.  Season pass access also means entry to events away from Carlisle, like Auto Mania in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a destination event; the Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction in Lakeland, Florida. 

If a season pass isn’t a viable option, then single-day spectator admission tickets or multi-day spectator event passes may be the right option for you.  Those too will be offered at a 20% discount and with single-day options per show ranging from $10 to $20 depending on the event, a few dollars’ worth of savings means more money to enjoy the finer aspects of the event itself.

The Carlisle Store and CarShowGear.com are also getting in the mix, with savings of their own.  On Black Friday itself, they’ll offer 15% off all merchandise on their web page, with additional sales options sprinkled in throughout the holiday season.

Season passes and spectator admission savings are one thing, but what about savings for those who show off a car or truck?  This is also an option and that means showgoers can help populate the grounds with decades of past, present, and future classics while saving 20% along the way.  This is the deepest discount option available and includes admission for two (driver/passenger). 

Finally, back by popular demand for the holiday sale, gift cards!  Gift cards will be available and can be loaded with any denomination of money.  Instead of just giving someone the gift of tickets or show access, they can offer up options that may translate to booking vending spaces for the automotive flea market, a visit to the Carlisle Store for merchandise, the concessions area for food, parking, transactions related to Carlisle Auctions, etc.  These gift cards will be processed just like a credit card and can be given in a stylish holiday-themed card holder or a generic Carlisle Events holder (while holder supplies last).  Gift cards are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and more.

Online sales for all discount options commence on Black Friday, with orders starting November 29 at 8 AM.  Phone and in-person ordering options run during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM) from December 2 through December 23, with only online orders available thereafter (Carlisle offices closed for the holidays).  Anything ordered on or before December 20 will be mailed, with mailings resuming January 2 once the Carlisle offices re-open for 2025.

Call 717-243-7855 today to learn more or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com starting November 29 to accelerate your purchase!  The annual Carlisle Events holiday sale...capitalize on the savings and give the gift of Carlisle this holiday season.

The year-long 50^th Anniversary celebration for Carlisle Events has nearly concluded and while the calendar dates rapidly flip to the end of 2024, just as quickly, plans are being made for a full slate of car show excitement in Carlisle for 2025.  The schedule may start in January, but the collective eyes of the GM world will be on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds June 20-21 for the Carlisle GM Nationals car show.  For 2025, there a few great elements worth attention, including the anchor showcase, a 70-year celebration of the Tri-Fives.

Built between 1955 and 1957, Tri-Fives are an invaluable part of Chevrolet’s history.  There are popular versions, including the well-known One-Fifty, Two-Ten, Bel Air, and Nomad, while there are lesser-known sub-models like the Delray coupe, Handyman, Townsman, and Beauville wagons.  Known or unknown, the Tri-Five gives you a certain feel when looking at its stylings, its lines, the overall, etc.  You immediately think “50s car” when looking at them.

That elegance is taking center stage in June with an influx of Tri-Five cars, car clubs, guests, and more.  In fact, the goal is for multiple displays and at least 55 Tri-Fives spread between them.  These engineering marvels won’t just show, they’ll go with a planned Tri-Five parade on grounds, plus a chance to possibly see in one place the largest gathering of Tri-Fives on the east coast.  It’s a can’t-miss for owners and enthusiasts alike.  Mix in other special themed displays, track activities, seminars, and more and the Carlisle GM Nationals once again show why it’s the most diverse all-GM themed car show around.

As an added bonus to this celebration and running ONLY from October 28-November 4, the Carlisle GM Nationals is offering a variety of DEEP discounts for admission and participation for ALL enthusiasts by way of the GM Nationals Tri-Five Flash Sale.  For example, a National Parts Depot Showfield registration is just $19.55 ($50 value), and spectator admission tickets are discounted too. The tickets for two plus parking package is usually $28, but for just $19.95, two can enjoy a day at the Carlisle GM Nationals AND park on grounds in general parking. 

Gates open at 7 AM both days of the show, with vendor and Showfield registration available through the event.  Select Showfield registration discounts are in place up to 90 days prior to the show, with spectator admission tickets perpetually discounted if purchased online.  Visit CarlisleEvents.com to learn more about the Carlisle GM Nationals and the Tri-Five celebration or call 717-243-7855 to get involved with the show.

The 50th Anniversary season of Carlisle Events was years in the planning and months in executing. From April to October, the history of the company was on full display and celebrated by thousands as records fell and guests within the automotive community were entertained. While there were many great moments throughout, the best was saved for last with Fall Carlisle driven by Hemmings. The flagship event took place October 2-6 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and between the car corral, automotive flea market, and collector car auction, there was something for everyone, regardless of their age.

The gates opened at 7 AM on Wednesday, October 2 and from then through Sunday, the thrill of the hunt was on full display with vendors and pickers alike for as far as the eye could see. In fact, the grounds were a sea of car parts, collectibles, toys, signage, memorabilia, and more. Beyond that, the car corral hosted over 600 classics, all for sale by owner. Another great feature of Fall Carlisle 2024 was the Carlisle Corner in Building T. This area, staffed by the Carlisle Events team, highlighted memorabilia spanning the history of Carlisle Events, a trio of show cars owned by Bill Miller and Lance Miller, and some overstock merchandise for sale.

With vendors being the backbone of every event at Carlisle, it’s only fitting that the event’s last night, Saturday, ended with a vendor appreciation dinner.  For a few hours on October 5, the remaining vendors came together to enjoy each other's company, swap stories, and break bread together.

Speaking of vendors, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, some of them as well as hopeful shoppers were unable to attend, creating some voids on the grounds.  Those voids served as a visual reminder to those in attendance that while they were having fun shopping and selling, others were in need.  With those impacted in mind, area Lions Club members, who have been part of select events for the past three years, solicited donations for disaster relief and took in over $6,300. 

Another great element of Fall Carlisle is the auction powered by Carlisle Auctions. On Thursday and Friday, October 3 and 4, 400+ consignments spanning all eras of production crossed the auction block. Consignments ranged from the late 1920s through 2018 and saw 50% of all lots sell to the tune of $3.3 million. The top sellers were a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ($89,000), a 1968 Corvette ($75,600), a 1965 Pontiac GTO ($74,000), and a 1967 Chevelle ($73,440). Complete results are available at CarlisleAuctions.com.

While the 2024 season has concluded, plans are already underway for 2025. Season passes are currently on sale for $89.99, the annual holiday sale is planned for Black Friday through January 2 at 5 PM, and the first event of the new year is right around the corner with Auto Mania (January 17-19) at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

To learn more about the holiday sale, the 50th Anniversary season, and all that 2025 has to offer, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.

2024 marked the 50th Anniversary season of Carlisle Events and as part of this milestone season, several upgrades and enhancements were completed, while others are in the planning stages; all to enhance to guest experience.  A new timeline wall was installed within Building T, solar panels came to the roofs of the Carlisle Expo Center as well as the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds grandstand and food court, a new parking lot was crafted near Gate 6, LED lighting was installed, a new maintenance and security office was built, and the fairgrounds footprint itself was expanded near Gate 4 to host more show car parking and nearly 100 more vending spaces.  While those improvements are noteworthy, a forthcoming upgrade is sure to catch the eye of guests; new floors!

The floors, installed by Epoxy Floor Experts, Inc. of Schuylkill Haven, PA, will come in waves.  Not long after Fall Carlisle 2024, the floors of Building T will get a facelift and be transformed with their expert resurfacing and coatings.  From there, floors in the Food Court and Guest Services will receive the same expert level of attention in 2025, and the Building Y floor work is planned for 2026.  This project will see the Epoxy Floor Experts, Inc. team branded as the official flooring partner of Carlisle Events.  They’ll be present at Fall Carlisle 2024, and at select other events going forward as part of this multi-year partnership.

“Our buildings are where our guests gather and for most events, centerpieces to the car show experience at Carlisle,” said Ed Scholly, Director of Business and Event Development for Carlisle Events.  "Each of these on-grounds facilities has floors that have seen better days,” continued Scholly.  "It’s time for a facelift and we feel this partnership with Epoxy Floor Experts, Inc. not only offers what we are looking for but also showcases to our nearly 500,000 annual guests just what is possible for their shop, garage, basement, etc.”

Fall Carlisle driven by Hemmings is October 2-6 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and starts at 7 AM each day.  Guests come from across the country to shop for classic cars within the car corral, automotive parts, merchandise, and more within the automotive flea market, or find their first or next collector car with Carlisle Auctions (October 3-4) at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Fall Carlisle is also the first opportunity for guests to connect with the Epoxy Floor Experts, Inc. team.  They and a large variety of other great vendors will be positioned on the Manufacturers Midway.  Adult tickets are $13 at the door, discounted to $11 if purchased online, and kids 12 and under are admitted free.  Parking is just $10.  Download the Carlisle Events app today or visit CarlisleEvents.com to review the event guide and learn more about the event.