Fans of Ford and the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s were eager to return to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds to showcase and celebrate their prized rides in 2021, that’s for sure.  After an augmented 2020 event, showgoers only had to wait 10 short months to reunite in Carlisle for what WILL BE remembered as the biggest and best Carlisle Ford Nationals of all-time, welcoming a NEW RECORD 3,241 registered show cars.  This total topped the previous mark of 3,194 set in 2019 and was the second highest total for any car show ever hosted by Carlisle Events.

With the roar of engines, the shine of paint and the smell of car care products plus an amazing array of classic and collector cars on the National Parts Depot Showfield, the energy level of the event was very noticeable from 7 a.m. on Friday, June 4 until the final cars loaded out on Sunday, June 6.  In fact, with great weather throughout the weekend, there were even some lingering guests Sunday who were holding on for one more memory before a return in 2022.

But, what kept everyone so excited throughout?  Maybe it was the awesome Built Ford Proud display just inside of the main entry gate, or maybe it was Ford’s midway display.  It also could have been the bevvy of amazing cars within the special displays in and around Buildings T or Y?  Parts shopping was also a major aspect to the event, with the automotive flea market bustling from even before the event officially opened. 

Another great element, one that isn’t common for many events outside of what’s offered at the Carlisle Ford Nationals, was the product showcases, seminars and discussions held all weekend at the stage.  These seminars included multiple walkarounds focused on the NEW Ford Bronco, the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, classic Broncos with Gateway Bronco, how the GT40s got their sound in the movie “Ford vs. Ferrari,” the story of Al Joniec hosted by John Clor of Ford Performance, Ford Performance Club Connect and Ford Registry chats with John Clor & Marcus Cervantes, and SO MUCH MORE.  The stage was also bustling on Saturday for another reason; a pair of autograph sessions by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Hailie Deegan.

If all that wasn’t enough for a home run of an event, the cars were also in motion by way of a trio of autocross activities on the Gateway Classic Mustang course, a rolling exhaust contest and the return of the downtown Carlisle Ford Parade and Street Party. 

As the sun sets on 2021, guests are already making plans for the 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals.  Save the date, but the Ford family of fun returns June 3-5 in Carlisle.  Registration for the event is NOW OPEN! 

The GM family of vehicles are rich with history and tradition.  What were once stand-alone brands like Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, etc. now fall under the General Motors umbrella and are all equally celebrated at the Carlisle GM Nationals each summer.  This year, from June 25-26, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and Nationals Parts Depot Showfield come alive with over 100 years of history.  As part of this showcase, there are special displays, guests, cool cars and more.  In addition, GM Nationals weekend hosts a charity car show to benefit the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation.

It all starts early on Friday, June 25.  When the gates open at 7 a.m. guests will be met with throngs of unique displays.  For 2021, the must-see attractions include a nod to pop-culture by way of Comic-Car Con.   This display will have selected cars that represent TV shows and movies spanning decades of entertainment.  Further, guests can enjoy the 50^th celebration of the Vega and H-Platform, a GM Swaps display, a GM Nationals Showcase display and the annual Solid Lifter Showroom in Building Y.

Along with the cool cars are equally cool guests.  Just announced, spend a day at Carlisle on Saturday, June 26 and meet TV host and builder Aaron Kaufman of Gas Monkey Garage fame.  Kaufman comes to the GM Nationals for the first time ever and is anxious to see the cars and meet the enthusiasts.  In addition to Gas Monkey Garage, which Kaufman co-hosted with Richard Rawlings, he’s also the owner of Dallas, Texas based Arclight Fabrication.  Kaufman also ventured into solo TV projects, including Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman and Aaron Needs a Job.  His appearance time and on grounds location is TBD, but it is FREE to meet him and get an autograph once through the gates.

Cars at Carlisle don’t just show, they go too.  The Carlisle GM Nationals have a few competitions that excite the crowed.  This includes a rolling exhaust contest, real-street shootout and some fun with UMI Performance and autocross each day.  The shootout is Friday, while the exhaust contest is Saturday.  There are also seminars, installs with A&A Auto Stores and awards like Carlisle Elite, largest club and coolest club too.

Finally, ALL NEW in 2021, Carlisle Events and the Carlisle GM Nationals welcome the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, the York County Corvette Club and Corvettes for Chip.  This event, historically held in the fall, transitions to the GM Nationals and will welcome over 200 Corvettes to the grounds.  Corvettes for Chip is a fund-raising event geared towards raising awareness of and money for the CMAF and Amyloidosis, the disease that took the life of Carlisle Events co-founder Chip Miller in 2004. 

Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to apply for Feature Vehicle displays, register for the National Parts Depot Showfield or to be a vendor, purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance and more.  Call 717-243-7855 to learn more today.  

Cars bring people together!  It doesn’t matter if it’s a large-scale car show, parking lot cruise in, or a drive down Main Street U.S.A., when automotive art is present, people pay attention.  For 2021, Carlisle Events is proud to share that in conjunction with the Downtown Carlisle Association, two marquee events return to the main streets of America’s Automotive Hometown, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 

Those events; the Ford Parade and Street Party and Chip Miller Memorial Corvette Parade happen June 5 and August 28 at 7 p.m. respectively and are back after a one-year COVID hiatus.  Parades in 2021 are presented by M&T Bank.  The premise of both see registered participants from the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s and Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive cruise from the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds into the streets and square of downtown Carlisle.  The best spots for parade viewing are from the intersection of Carlisle Springs Rd./Route 34 and North Hanover St. through downtown and along Main St. near the Courthouse.  From there, parade participants park, while the community mixes and mingles with them and their show cars.

In addition, bringing cars and people into the downtown area has historically been an economic boom for the businesses that line North Hanover St., Pomfret St. and High St.  Part of the mixing and mingling process means shopping in stores that may not otherwise be open later on a Saturday or checking out a restaurant that might not be a common stop for those who attend.  The parades are also a large fundraising source for the DCA itself, so much so that after years of hosting the Corvette parade (launched in 1988), the Ford parade commenced in 2011.  Each have occurred annually since (other than 2020).

“The Downtown Carlisle Association/LoveCarlisle is happy to have these parades returning to our wonderful downtown again,” noted DCA President Glenn White.  “This partnership brings millions of dollars into downtown every year and it shows commitment from our regional stakeholders, like Bill Miller and Lance Miller of Carlisle Events who champion support in the community annually,” continued White.  “This is a time where you can see great American engineering and re-live personal memories through these great cars in a historic downtown.  Come down early and stay late!  Sip, shop and stroll to visit your favorite store or explore a new restaurant.  Plus enjoy the sounds of downtown and this amazing tradition that has become an annual part of the downtown.  These are all reasons why you will LoveCarlisle!”

Parade registration is an available add-on when registering for the respective events online at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.  Parade fees go directly to the DCA, who will also be on-site during Ford and Corvette weekend to sign guests up in person, while slots remain.  The Carlisle Ford Nationals run June 4-6, while Corvettes at Carlisle runs August 26-28.  Complete details about both events are available via the aforementioned web page.

The 2021 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals wasn’t exactly a record-breaking show but, in some ways, it did make history.  While the 1,800+ show cars weren’t quite a record, it was the third largest turnout in the event’s six-year history. The weekend was also filled with more activities than ever, spectacular weather and a crowd that was arguably more enthusiastic than ever. For the first time since the two unique shows (Performance & Style and Import & Kit Nationals) were combined six years ago, it truly felt like one event.

Those who come to Carlisle run the gamut, offering new imports and domestics, mixing perfectly with classic, rare and unique rides, also spanning the globe.  In fact, the “world” is showcased on the Showfield, as cars are parked by country of origin, parsed by country specific flags, passport checkpoints and ambassadors dressed in country specific apparel.  The best part about it might not be the cars themselves, but the car clubs and car lovers who come together to share a mutual admiration for these automotive works of art…and that’s exactly what happened at Carlisle.

For nearly two full days there were displays, seminars and even a marriage proposal (she said yes, by the way).  The cars didn’t just show, they were in motion with competitions, drifting, and autocross, too.  Friday saw the first cars in motion, as NICOClub.com hosted its annual NICOFest.  From 8 a.m. through the end of the day, cars were carving corners and sliding sideways.  Meanwhile, mid-afternoon Friday also saw 25 cars zip up the hill on the east side of the grounds with round one of the rolling exhaust contest. 

At 4 p.m. Friday the Manx Club put their Dune Buggies in motion with a parade lap around the grounds and even helped wrap up the day with a touching tribute to Dune Buggy inventor, Bruce Meyers.  Bruce’s wife, Winnie, joined the club as they came together to honor his legacy by way of a special video presentation, food, drinks and more.  The Manx crew even rallied the largest-ever Dune Buggy turnout, with over 40 converging on Carlisle.

On Saturday, it was non-stop automotive thrills and culinary treats.  Cars were rolling on and off grounds all day, plus many food vendors offered a taste of the world by way of a dish or two specific to a country represented on grounds.  Round two of rolling exhaust and the finals happened, as did drift limbo and the low car limbo.  The buggies weren’t the only group to enjoy a parade lap, as the Opel Club, hosting their national meet at the event, rolled around grounds around 11 a.m.  Additional awards were doled out over the course of the weekend too, including coolest club, largest club and a handful of Carlisle Elite awards.

As the final day of the 2021 offering concluded, awards were posted for those who participated in professional judging.  eJudged.com was back at it this year, offering their expertise to a few hundred car owners.  Those who didn’t win still had the chance to talk with the judges to better their chances for future considerations.

The 2022 version of the event is happening May 13-14 and registration for it is now open.  Up next for Carlisle Events is the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s June 4-6.  For details on this event, advanced arrival/COVID-19 compliance information or to check out the winner’s list and photos from Import & Performance weekend, visit CarlisleEvents.com.

Carlisle Events has always been an affordable destination for family fun when it comes to car shows.   Many discounts have been in place for various forms of access for spectators over the years, but despite the close proximity to such rich military history, a military discount was not one of the options…UNTIL NOW!  Carlisle Events is excited to share that beginning immediately, a military discount will be part of the admissions process for those looking to walk the grounds and enjoy the sights of the car shows.

The ALL NEW $5 military discount will be applied for active (including reserves) or retired military members who purchase a single day spectator ticket in person at the venue.  This new discount perfectly complements one of the marquee fairgrounds backdrops, the U.S. Army War College as well as the thousands of active and retired service personnel who call the Cumberland Valley home.  The $5 off savings is valid with military ID and is for only the ID holder and their singular entry.

In addition to the U.S. Army War College, the facility is regionally close to the Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon and closer yet, the Naval Support Activity facility in Mechanicsburg.  The Pennsylvania National Guard even has a “Readiness Center” just outside of Gate 5, one of the main points of entry for the grounds.

This discount is yet another way to never pay full-price when attending a car show at Carlisle.  Non-military members can purchase discounted tickets online in advance of the show, while everyone is eligible for discounts on full-event or season pass spectator access.  Further, kids 12 and under are always admitted FREE when accompanied by an adult.

“Central Pennsylvania is rich with military history,” noted General Manager Scott Amig.  “We see the facilities all around us and frequently interact with the men and women past and present who sacrifice so much for our freedoms.  As a company, we are grateful for all that they do and are excited to offer this new discount to them.”

As of this release, Carlisle Events has seven events remaining on its 2021 schedule, including the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.  Admission to any Carlisle Events promoted weekend on grounds yields reciprocating access to ticketed events that may be taking place at the Carlisle Expo Center.  This happens twice annually, as part of Spring Carlisle in April (and its auction) and Fall Carlisle in September (and its auction).

Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to learn all about each car show or call 717-243-7855 today!