The 47th season of Carlisle Events commences January 17, 2020 and from the time the first guest or vendor walks through the door in Allentown, Pennsylvania until the lights are turned out in Sarasota, Florida in November, Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions have a little something for everyone. From automotive flea market only offerings to auctions, car shows and truck shows, special displays, guests and more, being part of an event in Carlisle or Allentown, Lakeland or Sarasota gives car lovers from around the world something to see and do 10 out of 12 months annually.

2020’s schedule starts January 17 with Auto Mania at the Agri-Plex building of the Allentown Fairgrounds in eastern Pennsylvania. This event is PA’s largest indoor and heated automotive flea market and also serves as a great way to beat the dull and dark of winter to mix and mingle with like-minded car folks. From parts shopping to food, garage and in-home must haves, Auto Mania is easy to find, conveniently located just off I-78 near Allentown’s famous Dorney Park.

Just over a month later, car lovers looking to enjoy Florida in February can follow the Carlisle team to Lakeland, Florida to join the snowbirds for Winter AutoFest. Held at the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus just off I-4, Winter AutoFest has evolved into a must-do event!  Carlisle Auctions hosts its first auction of the year with a 400+ car offering, while car owners and supporters of the hobby enjoy showcases of the Corvette, Mustang and all things MOPAR. There’s even a free cruise-in for all brands that either don’t fit that criteria or if you simply want a more relaxed experience at the show.  Of course what would a Carlisle backed weekend be without an automotive flea market, car corral and even a showcase of top of the line motor coaches?  Save the date, because February 21-23, 2020 will be here fast!

About two months after Winter AutoFest wraps, the “home season” for Carlisle Events commences. Spring Carlisle (April 22-26) and Fall Carlisle (September 30-October 4) bookend the schedule with six other major events jam-packed in between.

Spring and Fall each offer a utopia of nearly 100 acres of parts shopping, car buying and unmatched camaraderie with the combined nearly 200,000 guests that helped make Carlisle America’s automotive hometown.

Every event in between Spring and Fall offers a parts shopping experience either within the automotive flea market or midway, but the type of cars or trucks shown at each epically vary. The first specialty show happens in May and it’s the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals, this year benefitting Driven to Cure. Running May 15-17, this show not only offers high octane activities like an exhaust contest, burnouts, drifting and autocross, it provides professional judging, a great car club atmosphere, special displays like 100 years of Mazda, 50 years of the Datsun/Nissan Z and dozens of classes; all while showcasing over 2,000 of the best rides from around the world.

The first full weekend of June (5-7) the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiars celebrates its 25^th anniversary and welcomes nearly 60,000 guests and over 3,000 cars to the National Parts Depot Showfield. Special guests are still TBA, but special displays are nearly finalized. To date, Ford weekend spotlights the Grabber 50^th anniversary, 15^th anniversary of the Ford GT, a Euro Ford garage with the 50^th anniversary of the Capri and 35^th anniversary of the Merkur, a Thunderbird reunion and a Starliner reunion.  Ford weekend also offers a downtown Carlisle Ford parade and street party, Ford executives hosting product showcases and seminars, there’s onsite installs and of course the FREE test drives at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.

Just a few weeks later, the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals (June 26-27) host around 1,000 rides that span the history of the brand. The National Parts Depot Showfield not only hosts all Chevy branded rides, but welcomes Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Cadillac and more! Displays for 2020 include 50 years of the Monte Carlo, Novas at Carlisle, the Solid Lifter Showroom, Featured Vehicle Display spotlighting GMs of the ‘70s within Building T, and much like Ford weekend, guests are still TBA. 

Up next and spanning July 10-12, the grounds come to life again with the world’s largest all Mopar themed weekend, the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.   This three-day event really launches the day before with a 200+ car cruise-in at the Carlisle Expo Center, then quickly transitions to a nearly 3,000 car event at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  Display highlights include 50 years of the following:  Dodge Challenger, AAR & T/A, Plymouth Duster, Superbird and Pro Stock.  Chrysler weekend also spotlights some of the best rides from 1970, while showcasing some of the best of the best within Building T’s Featured Vehicle Display.  Parts shopping is also a big deal every July at Carlisle with the largest all-Mopar themed automotive flea market in the world drawing shopping hopefuls from around the world.  Burnouts, a club challenge and more help power this annual summer gathering of all things Mopar.

August offers the last full month of summer as well as two of the hottest automotive events on the season schedule.  The Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores (August 7-9) is the most family-friendly event on the Carlisle Events schedule.  With monster truck shows, cool custom vans, a family fun zone and trucks of all sizes, kids and adults alike will be wowed by real life versions of the toys they played with as kids.  From the special displays in Buildings T and Y to the eclectic mix of trucks on the judged and non-judged showfields, there’s shapes, sizes, styles and eras of trucks for as far as the eye can see.

The final specialty event of the year starts Thursday, August 27 and it’s THE car show that put Carlisle Events on the map; Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive.  Over the course of the event, Team Chevrolet members join over 60,000 guests and 5,000+ Corvettes to celebrate America’s Sportscar.  There are product walkarounds, a downtown Corvette parade and street party, special displays like ones focused on 1970 Corvettes, seminars, special guests and more.  2020 is also expected to showcase more 2020 Corvettes in one place than anywhere else outside of the factory.  The 2020 Motor Trend Car of the Year stood front and center in 2019 and expectations are similar for August of 2020 as well. 

Much like the Import & Performance Nationals, each specialty event noted above includes a burnout contest, track activities, car club gatherings, other fun automotive based activities including (at select shows) an off road course, low car limbo, exhaust contest, high and low truck showdown and there are different classes for the variety of vehicles to be able to park in regardless of event.

Lastly, not only does Carlisle Events bring automotive excitement to central Pennsylvania, Carlisle Auctions does so too.  For the Carlisle Auctions team, three events are held in Carlisle and done so in conjunction with events, with two more auctions taking place in Florida.  Auction season commences on February 21 with an offering within Winter AutoFest in Lakeland (400+ consignments).  Up next is the Spring Carlisle auction starting April 23 (500+ consignments) followed by the Summer Sale on June 27 (200+ consignments).  This auction serves as a nice compliment to the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals and offers an all-Chevrolet hour during the day too.  The final two auctions take place starting October 1 with the Fall Carlisle auction (500+ consignments) and November 13 brings the auction team back to Florida for Sunset Carlisle (400+ consignments).  Other than the Summer Sale which is a single day offering, each auction spans two days.

The 2020 Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions schedule is as follows:

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Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of over a dozen annual collector car/truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA), the Sunset Auction Facility (Sarasota, FL) and the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes four automotive flea markets of varying size, five auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports, tuners and performance sport compacts. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract more than half a million enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe. More information is available at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.

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Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals event weekend has, in some form or another, been taking place in May annually since 1986.  With 2020 offering the 35^th edition of this international automotive celebration in Carlisle, guests who attend now have a chance to benefit a great cause, all while enjoying the cars, the people and the excitement.  For the first time ever at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, instead of a presenting sponsor supporting the event, the event is supporting the sponsor so to speak.  From May 15-17, the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals benefit Driven to Cure!

Since the car community is such a tight-knit group, they often come together to support “one of their own” in times of need.  That solidarity will be on display with the aforementioned partnership and benefit car show in May in Carlisle.  Founded by car enthusiast Andrew Lee, DTC is a non-profit 501(c3) established to help raise awareness and provide funding for the research of rare kidney cancers like Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC) in children and young adults.  Andrew passed away on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 after a long and courageous battle.  Despite his passing, the cause forges on with events, fundraisers, etc. and has raised $600,000 in three years for research.

So, how can Import & Performance Nationals showgoers help?  At the May event in Carlisle, DTC will be onsite hosting a show within the show.  More so, their showcase serves as the OFFICIAL memorial for Andrew, just over a year after his passing.  By doing so, their mix of cars and excitement for Andrew and the hobby he loved so much will be a must-see within Building Y.  Plus, while checking out the cars, guests can also meet folks inspired by Andrew.  This includes friends, family and fellow car lovers.  In addition, Andrew’s car, a customized Nissan GTR complete with a personalized license plate that reads F CANCR will be the centerpiece attraction.  The car was supported by BASF during its time at SEMA, Liberty Walk made a replica model of it and the DTC cause gained so much traction that following Andrew’s passing, he received a moment of remembrance at the 2019 Paul Walker Memorial Ride in Canada.

Prior to his passing, Andrew noted the following: “My GTR has proven to be the closest thing I have to a cure for my cancer.  Driving the GTR has become a tremendous outlet for me. The places I have gone, the people I have met and the passions I have developed just because of this gift have become the best medicine available.”

“Carlisle Events takes great pride year in and year out by giving back,” noted Carlisle Events co-owner Lance Miller. “This year will be extremely special due to Andrew and Driven to Cure evolving around the automotive hobby.  Two great friends introduced me to Bruce, Andrew’s father from DTC and upon our first meeting we knew we had the perfect ingredients for a wonderful way to showcase DTC and even more so, to provide a nice backdrop for a memorial for Andrew as part of our May event,” continued Miller.  “Andrew started Driven to Cure to help others.  He poured his passion into helping others. We at Carlisle Events want to honor his legacy and help his mission.  What better way to do so than to pay tribute to an amazing person that was taken away from this earth way too early.  Please join us to celebrate Andrew’s life during the 2020 Import & Performance Nationals event starting May 15, 2020 as we support DTC.“

Event details, including information on the DTC show and how to support it can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com via the Import & Performance Nationals specific page or by calling 717-243-7855 today!   

Carlisle Events is family run and has been since 1974.  Not only is Carlisle Events run by two families who happen to share the same last name (Miller), those families also believe that every person who comes through the gate should get the family treatment too.  That mentality also carries over to its staff, with instances of employee’s kids hanging out at the office during work days, couples working together and of course supporting each other in times of need.  It’s the latter of the aforementioned items that has Carlisle Events offering its endorsement to a local business as it takes in food donations in honor of one of its late employees.

Diane Pike passed away in 2018 and she wasn’t just an integral part of Intelliprint Solutions of Harrisburg, she was the mother of Jodi Morrison, a Carlisle Events staff member.  Jodi and her mom had a great relationship and her sudden passing around Mothers Day in ’18 was tough, both for their family and the team at Intelliprint Solutions. 

Now, more than a year after Diane’s passing, her staff is hosting the food drive in her honor.  They, along with Carlisle Events, encourage donations during this season of giving.  Items may be donated in person through December 20 at Intelliprint Solutions, located at 3930 Chambers Hill Rd. in Harrisburg or a monetary donation can be made via text to 44321 with the message Intellishare. 

Tangible donations should be non-perishable items that come in boxes, cans or plastic bottles.  Priority items for this year’s food drive include peanut butter, canned tuna, stew/chili, shelf-stable milk, nuts, trail mix or granola bars, pasta sauce, canned veggies, unsweetened applesauce, canned fruit and Similac advance/stage 3 baby food. 

“I can’t really explain how much it means to me that the people my mom worked with are still remembering her after 18 months,” said Jodi who serves as Assistant to the Owners of Carlisle Events.  “It is truly a testament of the kind and gracious woman that she was.  I miss her every single day!”

Learn more about Project Share and all that they do online now at www.projectsharepa.org and please take time to donate today. 

Florida in February, that sounds like a dream come true, right?  For snowbirds and car lovers alike, this dream is reality as Carlisle Events presents Winter AutoFest Lakeland, February 21-23, 2020.  The three-day affair takes place at the spacious and state-of-the-art SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland and offers a little something for everyone who attends.  We’re talking special displays, guests, food and those “wow” moments with friends and family that can’t easily be duplicated!

When the gates open for the first time at 8 a.m. on February 21, those who are part of the show or who pay the $10 spectator admission (kids 12 and under are free) will step into an automotive lover’s paradise.  Vendors, as part of the automotive flea market, lace the grounds from fence line to fence line, offering an eclectic mix of collectibles, merchandise, home goods, automobilia and of course the much-needed automotive pieces and parts for a DIY restoration project.

From parts shopping to cars for sale, Winter AutoFest has that too…lots of that!  Carlisle Auctions presents a two-day collector car auction (February 21-22) featuring 400+ consignments spanning automotive history.  The auction starts at 10:30 a.m. each day and at 1:30 p.m. on February 22, will feature an all-Corvette themed hour.  In addition, there is a car corral with cars and trucks for sale by owner.  Each avenue affords the buyer a chance to start a collection or add to an existing one, all at an affordable price point. 

Items and cars for sale aren’t the only draw for Winter AutoFest Lakeland, as a septet (that’s 7) of car themed showcases offer a chance for owners to show and showgoers to gaze on in amazement.  Returning features include the 42^nd annual NCRS Winter Regional Corvette Meet, the FREE cruise-in as well as the Corvette and Mustang displays.  Each are expected to be bigger and better than ever.  The Corvette and Ford displays also host vendors specific to the brands and offer photo ops with an airplane, while the Corvette showcase welcomes GM Certified Technician Paul Koerner.  Koerner will host seminars and offer one on one diagnostic sessions.

What’s new in the car world is that Winter AutoFest now welcomes the Mopar brand to Lakeland.  This display hosts Dodge, Plymouth and Chryslers just to name a few.  If the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in Pennsylvania each July is any indication as to what type of turnout this display will see, it’ll be a can’t miss, that’s for sure.  Along with the Mopars on display, Lou Santiago will be on hand too.  Lou is a car show TV staple on programs like Car Fix on MotorTrend and he too will host seminars and meet with fans.

Another car showcase comes in the form of TWO Featured Vehicle Displays.  One display includes race prepared vehicles.  Regardless of brand, if it’s a race prepared car, truck or motorcycle, it’s welcome for this display.  The other is a 50-year gathering of 1970 cars/trucks.  Each display; however, is vetted and those interested must apply at www.CarlisleFeatures.com.  The final “new” aspect ties back to the existing free cruise-in.  All-new in 2020, registered cruise-in participants receive a discounted offer to buy the event shirt so they can proudly represent the coolest event in central Florida anytime they want! 

Finally, Winter AutoFest is pleased to host the Air & Coach Concours.  This gathering of luxury motor coaches and their passionate owners will find itself positioned near the camping area on northwest side of the facility.

Register today and learn about this amazing all-star event at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Carlisle Events has been doing “the car show thing” since 1974 with great success.  That success over the past 46 years has led to expansion, including events in Florida.  Now, with the growth of Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, Carlisle Events is pleased to announce that an all-new car show element is coming to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus starting at 8 a.m. daily and running February 21-23, 2020.

First it was Mustangs in 2015, then it was Corvettes in 2019…now, Mopar Madness takes over the show.  With a passionate enthusiast base who can often be heard saying “Mopar or no car,” it’s a given that not only will there be a solid turnout of cars and car owners, but vendors specific to the brand and fans, too.

For Carlisle Events, a Mopar themed showcase is nothing new.  Annually, each July in Carlisle hosts the world’s largest all-Mopar themed weekend; the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.  That show draws nearly 3,000 cars and 60,000 guests, including a massive Mopar flea market.  While the showcase in Lakeland won’t be that big, it will still offer some themed displays, guests and seminars. 

Details are still being ironed out on the guest and seminar front, but Lou Santiago, of Car Fix on Motor Trend is slated to appear. Mopars will be part of the 1970/50-year showcase and Santiago, as well as others specific to the hobby will talk with guests about their beloved rides.  Parts shopping will also be key to this display and Carlisle Events is now accepting vendor registration.

“Mopar owners are arguably the most passionate and loyal of any automotive brand,” noted Carlisle Chrysler Nationals event manager Ed Buczeskie.  “There are a lot of Chrysler enthusiasts in Florida and since Ford and Chevrolet were being featured, I wanted to make sure the Pentastar was represented too. Rather than focus on one nameplate, ALL Mopar brands will be welcome.”

There are three great ways to experience this all-new showcase at Winter AutoFest Lakeland.  The best way would be to show and car owners can do so at one of two price points.  The $75 VIP package offers weekend admission for the car, car owner and a guest, plus two VIP bidder passes to the two-day auction, powered by Carlisle Auctions.  In addition, the $75 option allows its holder and guest access to the VIP bidder’s breakfast on Saturday morning; offers two days of celebrity judging; exclusive photo opportunities to showcase your Mopar; a FREE event t-shirt and more!

Option two is a $25 Fun Field pass.  Again, the car, car owner and guest will be part of the event each day, but are only eligible for the two days of judging along with auction access.

Finally, anyone can see the Mopars, the Mustangs and the Corvettes, the auction and/or shop the automotive flea market by purchasing a single day or full event spectator ticket.  Simply park in the general parking lot, pay admission, walk on grounds and enjoy all that the event has to offer.  While it is very much an option at $10 per adult (kids 12 and under free), it just might be more fun to be the attraction rather than just seeing the attractions.

Complete event details including links to register can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com via the Winter AutoFest Lakeland page or by calling 717-243-7855 today!