Nixon was in the White House, Woodstock overtook a New York field, the Beatles were king, man was landing on the moon and Detroit was manufacturing some of the most iconic cars of all time.  It all happened in 1969 and 50 years later, a little bit of the famed Summer of ’69 will take center stage at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. 

While the season schedule for Carlisle Events has seen two of its events completed, the core of its season remains.  From Spring Carlisle (April 24-28) through Fall Carlisle (October 2-6) and everything in between, guests who come to America’s Automotive Hometown will find something a little nostalgic about their experience.  Call it a 50-year class reunion, because the displays, imagery and even some musical ambiance will transport guests back in time.

The shows themselves will offer special displays, more specifically starting with the Carlisle Ford (May 31-June 2) Nationals and concluding with Corvettes at Carlisle (August 22-25).  Ford weekend, presented by Meguiars, hosts the 50^th Birthday celebration of the Mach 1, the 50^th anniversary of the Boss, 50^th anniversary of the Eliminator and celebrates the 50^th of the Maverick.  Up next is the Chevrolet Nationals (June 21-22) which is also the first official show of Summer.  This weekend spotlights the 50^th birthday of the Blazer as well as the GTO Judge.  In addition, Buildings T and Y will have featured displays including cars from 1969. 

As June transitions to July, the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals (July 12-14) are up next.  50-year honors for this event include a 50^th tribute to the Dodge Charger Daytona & 500, the A12 Road Runner & Super Bee, the M Code A-Body as well as a featured vehicle showcase of some of the best Mopars ever made in 1969.  In August, the Carlisle Truck Nationals (August 2-4) and Corvettes at Carlisle help wrap the specialty events at Carlisle.  Truck weekend will offer a look at some of the coolest trucks ever made and spotlight the $69/69 second burnout contest, while Corvettes at Carlisle, presented by Corvette America, will host a massive display of 1969 Corvettes.  Carlisle Auctions will even offer a ‘60s Power Hour during its events.

Common themes across all events include branding and special graphics specific to the theme.  This includes flags around the grounds, plus signs and banners near main entry gates.  In addition, Carlisle Events is offering a Summer of ’69 souvenir cup.  As part of each event, a “Flash Sale” will pop up on social media.  From there, the first 69 people to order tickets online will also get the cup.  In addition, a limited amount of cups will be available with a qualifying purchase in the Carlisle Store.  The cup will also be available as a stand-alone purchase from any concessionaire too.  Another season long giveaway will be a special Summer of ’69 sticker.  These stickers will be available on grounds as well as in Guest Services for registered Showfield participants.

Opportunities will also be available to win money in at least two different ways in 2019.  While the standard burnout contest continues with the three-minute time limit, NEW this year only, anyone who pops a tire in 69 seconds or less will win $69 cash.  Speaking of cash, an inflatable cash machine will come to life at most events providing several chances throughout the weekend to fill your pockets.  For that, select guests will have the chance to snag the flying dollars.  Contestant 1 each day starts with the chance to snag $69.  What’s left remains, meaning contestant 2 has the chance at $69, plus whatever was left over…and so on.

Complete details on each event are available at the all-new www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.  Cruise to Carlisle this summer.  It’ll be groovy man!

Spring Carlisle (April 24-28) is a destination event for over 110,000 guests from around the world.  Those guests come for many reasons, but one is most certainly the chance to enjoy LIVE collector car auction excitement.  Carlisle Auctions is front and center once more as part of Spring Carlisle for its two-day offering (April 25-26) and this time around its more cars, more special themes AND an all-new start time.

Preview day for the auction commences on April 24 as the over 500+ consignments roll in, with nearly every car in place for the event by 7 a.m. on April 25.  Carlisle Auctions is also getting the fun started even earlier with a 12 p.m. start on both event days.  In doing so, it allows more cars to cross the block each day and gives everyone in attendance even more of the fun they’ve come to know from Carlisle Auctions.

When guests walk the Carlisle Expo Center footprint, they’ll find many classics and choices which would make an ideal first or next classic for their collection.  The automotive timeline dates back to at least 1920 and includes a great array of low mileage and original/survivor cars.

The two-day event itself not only presents that all-new 12 p.m. start time but will offer a trio of specialty hours.  These hours spotlight a specific brand, era or theme from start to finish, offering even more fun.  The hours include a “no reserve” hour on Thursday, April 25 at 2 p.m. with an all-truck showcase just a few hours later at 5 p.m.  In addition, Carlisle Auctions spotlights some of the best ‘60s era vehicles ever made as part of its all-‘60s hour on Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m.

Carlisle Auctions also welcomes seven charity consignments, each aiding local organizations.  Five of the consignments will benefit the Carlisle Branch of the Salvation Army, while another assists Carlisle Cares, with another helping Project Share.

As always, consignments are taken via the FRESS UNLESS SOLD guarantee on all consignments 25 years or older.  There’s still time to register to bid, either in advance or by walking up during the event itself.  Complete details about this auction, including the run list when available, details on committed consignments, a video link for the live stream and more is available online at www.CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400. 

Every Carlisle Events show page has a “what’s fresh” activity listing.  This is done to indicate the new and fresh happenings for each of the 10 shows in the Carlisle Events season schedule.  For 2019, the events aren’t the only thing sporting something fresh, as Carlisle Events is pleased to announce some changes to its staffing structure as well as its concession options.

The biggest staffing change at Carlisle comes in the form of Scott Amig being named General Manager & Operations Manager of Carlisle Events.  Scott has been with Carlisle Events since 2011 and much like every other staffer in the office, he wears and has worn many hats.  He’s been a building manager, an event manager, still oversees the maintenance and facilities team and now, with years of leadership experience under his belt, will also direct day to day operations on behalf of Bill Miller, Jr. and Lance Miller.

Additional management level changes include Ed Scholly being tapped as Director of Event Development and Associate Sponsorship Development.  Scholly has been with Carlisle Events since 2000, working as an event manager for the former Carlisle Bike Fest, York Open House and numerous other past events as well as his current role in the regionally popular Carlisle Truck Nationals.  In addition, his role with sponsorship development aides in securing high-end industry leaders as part of the Manufactures Midway not only at the truck show, but at all events on the Carlisle schedule.  For 2019, Scholly will also oversee each event manager, while continuing to work hand in hand with the marketing team to assure that all aspects of the event, from promotion to execution run smoothly.

One other management role that changed for 2019 is that Tami DeMark is the new Director of Customer Relations.  DeMark has transitioned into this roll following the retirement of long-time Carlisle Events staffer Diane Vaughn.  In addition, DeMark also oversees bookings, logistics and overall management of the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center. 

Speaking of events, two staffers have seen increased event planning roles for this season.  Ed Buczeskie, who historically has been the event manager for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals and Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals adds Spring and Fall Carlisle to his resume as well as being the one to oversee the Hurst Showcase which happens in conjunction with the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  Down the hall and around the corner from Buczeskie is Jodi Morrison.  Jodi was hired in 2011 and over the past eight seasons has transitioned from just the Assistant to Ownership to the Executive Assistant, Concessions Manager as well as the event manager for Corvettes at Carlisle and Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, Florida.

Finally on the staffing front, Carlisle Events will be naming a new Director of Marketing in the near future.  This position, once filled, will oversee all marketing efforts for the company and its events.  The position will also oversee a staff of four who bring more than 30 years of combined service to the table. 

Staff changes aren’t the only thing fresh for Carlisle Events in 2019.  Through the efforts of Jodi Morrison, yet another 501c group is joining the already impressive list of vendors in the concession area.  The Big Spring High School Band Boosters join groups like the Boy Scouts, Carlisle High School Band and Carlisle High School Football as local non-profits who earn support via the car community each summer.  This connection, plus other local businesses like Horner’s Corner BBQ, Marcellos Ristorante & Pizzeria, Brusters Ice Cream, Market Cross Pub and Desperate Times Brewery continue to spotlight Carlisle Events’ desire to do business locally first, helping a community that’s helped us since 1974! 

All the fun starts with Spring Carlisle on April 24 and continues through the final day of Fall Carlisle on October 6.  Complete details about the season can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855. 

A staple of the Carlisle Truck Nationals, presented by A&A Auto Stores is monster truck action!  Annually, a pair of trucks, plus some additional thrill-based action comes to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and offers guests edge of their seat excitement.  Those trucks and whatever is accompanying them, join forces with the Virginia Giant ride truck to give Truck Nationals guests the thrill of a lifetime.  In 2019, the fun includes Over Bored, Miss Over Bored and Transaurus.  

The show itself starts early on Friday, August 2, with Monster truck shows taking place Friday, twice Saturday and once more Sunday.  Hosted by Diehl Wilson, owner of the on-site Virginia Giant ride truck, Over Bored and Miss Over Bored will square off to the delight of enthusiasts of all ages.  Since year one of the truck show in 1991, trucks have been THE form of entertainment and with these monster truck shows, event excitement is taken to a whole new level.  So…let’s meet the participants!

Over Bored & Miss Over Bored:  Monster Jam trucks Over Bored and Miss Over Bored come to Carlisle for the first time ever.  These mid-western based trucks are a husband and wife team.  Their time at Carlisle is either entertainment for guests or matrimonial bragging rights for them…not sure which yet.  

Virginia Giant Ride Truck:  As mentioned above, this truck is owned by former Monster Jam regular Diehl Wilson.  It’s cool because it’s interactive.  It’s interactive because guests can climb aboard the iconic truck and go for a heart pounding, car crushing, no holds barred edge of their seat ride.  Ride, crush, enjoy and repeat!

Additional fun features include the return of the metal eating, car crushing, fire breathing Transaurus.  Transaurus is the world's ONLY jet powered, transforming, car eating dinosaur.  This beast is hungry and needs fed and that will happen on Saturday ONLY of truck weekend.  The problem is, it’s only powered by a steady diet of sub-compact cars.  We plan on having a full buffet available so as to appease this monster!  Before, during and after its feast, it just might belch fire too!  Transaurus will perform twice on Saturday only of the show, so don’t miss out!

A ticket for the Carlisle Truck Nationals is just $15 with kids 12 and under free.  All monster truck shows are FREE with an admission to the grounds, though a nominal fee does apply for rides on the Virginia Giant.  Seating goes quickly for each show, so guests are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy all that the truck show has to offer and then find a spot.  Complete details on truck weekend including how to show a truck or BUY TICKETS can also be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

As the 19^th edition of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals takes shape, one thing is for sure.  The weekend of June 21-22 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds will be unlike anything ever seen before at this annual summertime gathering.  If cars were stars, which to the thousands of guests at Carlisle they are, then this year’s event is star-studded to say the least.  From special displays to guests, activities and more, being a part of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals is a MUST for any tried and true fan of the brand.

Gates open at 7 a.m. for this two-day event.  Once on grounds, showgoers will immediately be taken back to a time when Detroit and Chevrolet (as well as other products under the GM umbrella) were king.  From Pontiac to Buick, Cadillac to Oldsmobile, Camaro to GTO Judge, El Camino to Chevy Trucks and so much more, the National Parts Depot Showfield has it all!

While there are many great highlights to the event, THE highlight of the entire weekend happens on the back half of its final day.  At 1 p.m. on June 22, guests can enjoy the Bandit Jump.  This is the first event of its type ANYWHERE in 2019 and the first time it’s ever happened at Carlisle.  Join the Northeast Ohio Dukes as they honor the late great Burt Reynolds and Smokey and the Bandit with this jump on the south side of the grounds.  The jump is free for all on-site, but for prime viewing, a VIP ticket is required.  The VIP ticket pack is available now at www.carlisletickets.com. 

Other great celebration features in 2019 include a judged Showfield specific to Chevy and GMC trucks spanning the era of 1947 to 1987.  In addition, the Chevy Blazer gets a nod with a display spotlighting 50 years, while El Camino lovers honor 60 years of their beloved coupé utility.  Another 50^th showcase includes the GTO Judge while Carlisle Events as a company also invites enthusiasts to help honor the iconic Summer of ’69 with a 50-year focus of cars and trucks from that era.

50 and 60-year old honors aren’t all that will come out of Chevrolet weekend, as the Nova Nationals invade the fairgrounds, plus the Solid Lifter Showroom returns to Building Y.  A judged Showfield of nearly 1,000 cars plus a strong automotive flea market and midway help make this event one of the best of its type in the region.

Chevrolet weekend also plays host to a two-day dedicated Hurst Showcase.  This display, located under a tent, features dozens of top of the line Hurst branded cars.  There will also be Hurst engineers and others associated with the early years of Hurst.  In addition, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, Linda Vaughn is scheduled to appear at the event for the first time in more than a decade.

But wait, there’s more!  In keeping with the theme of Chevrolet Nationals weekend being bigger and better, guests should also plan a stopover at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center for a full day of collector and classic car auction excitement.  Backed by Carlisle Auctions, the Summer Sale spans a good portion of Saturday and will host over 200+ consignments.  A free shuttle will transport guests between venues to best quench their automotive appetites too.

Judging, competitions like burnouts and autocross, awards, an awards parade, seminars and so much more.  Register today or by single day/weekend tickets at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  To learn more about the auction, visit www.CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400.