Our Camp Sites
Beth Ann and I decided to again camp at the fairground where the Shelby Hamfest was being held. The fairground has full hookup on many of its campsites. To insure us getting a favorable site, we decided to take the camper up to Shelby the weekend before the hamfest "officially" began. (The Shelby Hamfest is advertised officially as a 2-day event. In reality, hams begin arriving and setting up camp up to two weeks before the hamfest officially occurs.) We arrived during the morning of August 26, and met up with our friend, Jack Norris, WB4TWX, who was also there early to set up his camper. We managed to get 2 full-service sites next to each other in a prime location, suitable for selling our "surplus stuff" during the hamfest.
After setting up our camper, Beth Ann and I left Shelby to go to Camping World in Spartanburg, and to visit relatives in Brevard, NC. We returned to Shelby later that evening.
We stayed overnight in our camper at the hamfest site. We had to work Monday and Tuesday, so on Sunday, we told Jack "bye," secured our camper, and began the long trek home. We made it back to Savannah safely Sunday evening.
As soon as we both got off from work on Tuesday, we began the long trip back to Shelby. We arrived at the Shelby Fairground/Campsite around 9:30pm Tuesday evening.
Wednesday morning, we began setting up our flea market area. Beth Ann and I set up our wares on one side and Jack displayed his items for sale on the other side.
Around noon, we were ready to open for business. Immediately, we had some perspective customers checking out our goods. Several ladies were checking-out Beth Ann's jewelry collection, while an OM was checking out the "ham stuff."
More campers and people arrived Thursday. Beth Ann set up her old camping tent to sell. Jack had rented a golf cart, so we all had a chance to make periodic rounds to see what was happening around the hamfest. Business was booming.
Perfect weather Friday and Saturday ushered in the crowds. The commercial vendor and flea market areas were almost fully occupied. Wow!!!! What a great hamfest!!!!!
The Shelby Hamfest celebrated its 50th Anniversary and had a special display commemorating this event.
All good things must come to an end.
Around 10am, Sunday, we sold almost everything that we had. Jack sold many of his items. Beth Ann sold her old camping tent, many VHS videotapes, surplus jewelry and other miscellaneous items. I sold alot of stuff that was just taking up space at home. It was a very successful hamfest adventure. We packed the few remaining hamfest items, packed up the camper, said goodbye to Jack, and headed home around 12:30pm. We made it home safely around 6pm.
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