Geez, guys...I said in October that it was
my last Hosstraders, not
the last one!
It was somewhat eerie to get the call Friday evening from 'UJR telling me the news. Eerie because just the night before I was talking with Joe, 'PJP via LL about the spring fest (since the house didn't sell and I'm still here), and he mentioned that the guys had yet to post a date. I recall saying something like 'I think they were having trouble booking the fair grounds, but they did seem to be dropping hints the last few times'. Some of the announcements over the P.A. did seem like maybe they were gently trying to prepare us for the inevitable.
Having started a
small hamfest years ago for the local club, I can certainly agree that it's a LOT of work! Even with help, it's a lot to do. And you're busy throughout, you don't get to go enjoy time with your mates, it can really grind you down. These guys really must've enjoyed the experience to have done it so long. After 2 years I had a parting of the ways with the club and they basically ran the 'fest into the ground. So I can certainly relate to Joe, Norm, and Bob not wanting their event of 30+ years to be left to others who may not share the same enthusiasm. Better to leave folks with a good fest and good memories.
I also have to agree with what 'HUZ mentioned in the Announcement section. Somewhere in a box at home are flyers from the BARC convention back in the 50s, showing the schedule. It was a weekend event with dinner, dancing, forums, an auction, and on Satruday afternoon - a fleamarket. The buying and selling was a
piece of the event, not the entire event. I sincerely hope the AM community can put together an event at least yearly to get together. For food, fun, socializing and maybe passing off a few items in order to bring home different once.
It was great to meet new folks at this last event, as well as seeing the 'HUZ and 'JN in town for it. I bet Paul 'VJB is glad he made it back up here last spring, too. Heartfelt thanks to Bob, Joe, and Norm for giving us a great gathering for decades, and to everyone in the radio community for their part in making it the great event it was, rain or shine. G is right - last October was superb. You couldn't ask for a better ending to the story.
I wanted to go to Frank's Timonium Afterfest Party anyhow, but now it's even more of a goal.
