Any tips for a Dixon's Fair first-timer?

[Ky-Flinter]

Hot-diggity-dam.... I haven't been this excited since the Christmas I was 12 and hoping for a Daisy Red Ryder!  The plans are set... I'm going to Dixon's for the first time!!!  Driving up from Kentucky on Thursday, staying til Sunday.

So, do you Fair veterans have any suggestions on what not to miss (or what to avoid)?  Dave R. in a grass skirt is already on the list (guess which list).  And I've got to try some of this Yuengling's... I sure hope that's beer.  Any suggestions on area restaurants and watering holes?

I've been checking the list of seminars and I plan to do some parts shopping.  Is there plenty of seating at the seminars or should I bring a chair?  Is there food on site or should I plan on packing a cooler?  How do you do the Fair?

Is there a get together of ALR members at a particular time and place, like we do at the CLA?  Maybe one evening?

I can't wait!!  -Ron

[G. Elsenbeck]

Ron, I've got the same itchin to get there tomorrow, but will have to wait for another week.  This is a first timer for me as well.  It's been far too long that I've known and read about this since its inception and I'll be danged if I'm missing any more.  Reading about Acer's (I believe) and the others episodic get togethers are a riot.  An yes, Yuengling really exists and is pretty good.  I'll be bringin a cold case with me to help me 'calm' down after a days meeting, shopping, talking, walking, did I mention shopping already? 
Gary

[billd]

Bring cash, a lot of it.
Bill

[Dale Halterman]

There are food vendors at the fair for lunch - typical burgers and hot dogs and so on. Don't remember if they are there on Friday or not. I usually carry a water bottle because it can be pretty hot there. Unless it's raining, of course. I always bring a parka because you have to go out in the weather to get between tents.

Plenty of seats for the seminars, don't bother bringing a chair. The "best" seats sometimes fill up early, though.

I try to get my shopping out of the way on Friday, because it is less crowded.  Then Saturday for seminars, gawking, and socializing. It will be very crowded on Saturday. Sunday is for the things I didn't get to the other two days.

In the past, I lived close enough that I went home in the evenings, so I can't help with restaurants and watering holes.

Dale H

[Acer Saccharum]

I go into a trace about twenty minutes after I arrive, so don't ask me for advice.

Except this one thing: make a list, or you will wander aimlessly, and the time will go by in a blink, and all your money's gone.

One more thing: remember to bring your list.

The list can be things you need, things you've always wanted, things you don't really need at all, people you want to meet, seminars you wish to attend, guns you wish to see, etc.

Best of all, this is such fun.

And bring an umbrella......

Acer

[Brian]

Make sure that you not only bring a list - but ACT on it.  There was so much "good stuff" there that I kept wandering around trying to decide what to buy.  Kept thinking "okay, that's really nice.  I like that.  If I don't find anything I like better I'll come back for that"

Wrong thing to do!  By the time I made my dumb mind up and went back - it was gone!  So if you see something you really like and you want it - buy it!  Otherwise the odds are somebody else will and you'll go home kicking yourself for missing it. 

And enjoy!  Savor it.  It's an experience like no other.       

[Dale Halterman]

Forgot the lists. By all means.

I have a list of things I want to buy, people to talk to (and what I want to talk about), and what I want to look at.

I also print out the seminar schedule from Dixon's website and mark the ones I want to see. But when you get there, check your schedule against the board at the driveway. There are sometimes last minute changes or cancellations.

Dale H

[rdillon]

Everyone forgot to tell him to bring a RAIN COAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You know, from the torrential down pours and the intense thunderstorms we get.  Forcasting the same for this year, still fun playing in the rain though.

[Daryl]

Oh yeah - a list - of things to take, as in clothes.

[Acer Saccharum]

toothbrush

razor

underwear

shorts

socks

...............     ........... 

[Joe Stein]

Take a camera, for sure.  If it's digital, so much the better, just bring plenty of batteries, or figure a way to recharge it.  Also, bring a BIG memory card for it.  Take pictures of everything you have even a remote inkling that you may want to see later.  You'll regret it if you don't.
Take a notebook to make notes of who had what that interested you, what you want to go back and see again, etc.
It's easy to go into information overload.  When that happens, just go up the hill and sit in the shade near Acer's setup and talk to the ALR guys who wander by.
Glad there's new shirts coming.  I hope to meet a bunch of ALR people there.
-Joe
I'm sure there is stuff I forgot.  Somebody else will chime in.

[volatpluvia]

Yes, be prepared for your eyes to glaze over.  DO NOT keep looking when that happens as stuff will pass before your eyes and not register, really cool stuff.  Go take a break.  close your eyes for a while.  If it is not wet lay down on the grass in the shade, plenty of both.  When you feel you can see again go back and look at the stuff you missed before you realized your eyes stopped functioning.  Snicker!  Go slow, it is your first time.  You don't want to come home like you were drunk and experience an input hangover.
Oh, yes, be prepared to feel let down after you leave, hee, hee!
volatpluvia

Sadly, if i started driving right now, the show would be over before I got there.

[Bill of the 45th]

Haversack, or a shoulder bag to haul the little things, water bottle, umbrella, purchases, notebook, camera.

Bill

five days til I hit the road.

[ehoff]

Most people hit everthing make sure you have on good shoes as you'll be walking and standing and talking allot.

[MikeC]

As mentioned cash and credit cards, some vendors take cards as does the store.  I like to support the store and the vendors so I like to spread the wealth a bit.

Seminars of course.

I get my list out of the way then walk around and window shop and talk to vendors and possibly people I know that I run into.

Love to watch the blacksmiths working up on the hill behind the store.  Should be some barrel forging also and rifling in the barn.

15 minutes west right off of rt. 78 is the nations 2nd largest Cabelas, huge store, nearly 400,000 sq.ft. great side trip.

[B.Habermehl]

I usually bring a cooler stocked with sandwiches and soft drinks. The food vendors seem to me to be a bit greedy. I save my money for parts and books.  BJH

[Roger Fisher]

You mentioned food.... If you want to save some bucks bring a cooler -- packed of course with plenty of that cool Yuenglings.. Best beer in the state.  Tables are there and towards the north end of the place opposite side of the hard road there is a nice covered picnic area with tables and not much used.....

The coolest spot there is under the store in which you will find a hand rifling machine in useTell 'em I sent ya

[dickert54cal]

It doesn't matter if its the first or 21st I can never sleep the night prior to driving up to the event...By the way---Take the credit card your wife doesn't know you own!!! Get a post office box to send the bill to! Sneak all that you buy in the basement door and hide it well!

[Jacobsburg]

FYI
The featured Original Longrifles on display at the fair this year will be Lehigh County guns. Twelve rifles by ten different gunmakers and three pistols. The display is sponsored by the Jacobsburg Historical Society(PA Longrifle Museum) and the Kentucky Rifle Association. See you all at the fair.

TIM

[PIKELAKE]

I am finely going to Dixon's. Just one question. Would you say that most of the venders take plastic? I've been saving for quite a while, that wagon full of nickels, dimes and quarters will sure get me tired pulling it around. My wife gave me some tips on using the old plastic. Thanks.

[dickert54cal]

Most do however do what I do--take plently of cash to cover the small stuff including lunch and take the check book as well--I cover all bases so as not to leave without ! 

[duca]

you guys are in for a real treat! bring cash,. i have been going for 20 years now, and still love going. i would bring friends and girl friends in the past and have learned to leave them home! i will be bring my father -in- law this time because he has been doing leather work and will enjoy this event. have fun
Anthony........from new jersey.

[Berks Liberty]

I've learned to bring a cooler with drinks but I like to spend as much money at the fair as possible.  As Chuck would say "this is your fair!  Help out around here, if a trash can is full, pull the bag and take it to the back, but don't be affraid to ask questions."  I make sure to hit Chuck's introduction to the fair.  good man!  Make a list and see how much room you have in your vehicle after you leave.  This year I'm going to enter a powder horn for judging.  Should be fun,  I just put the final touches on it tonight.  I'm also picking up a stock blank from Mike at Tiger Hunt so I can get started on another rifle, I'm also planning on picking up the rest of the parts and do a lot of seminars.  Have a game plan.  I do most of my buying on Friday, Seminars on Saturday, and more buying on Sunday.  See you all there. 

Jason

[Jim Filipski]

Roger,
 Just let me know where you stash your cooler!
Jim