Three straight days of sun and fun at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds translated to the second largest Corvettes at Carlisle show car turnout of all time.  After a challenging 2020, 2021 offered renewed hope and interest for so many.  From August 26-28, Carlisle became THE epicenter of America’s Sports Car; the Corvette.  With nearly 2,800 cars on the Fun Field, mixed with over 2,000 more in general parking, there were nearly 5,000 Corvettes to see spanning every corner of the 82-acre fairgrounds. 

There were many “must-see” elements to Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive, but none more impressive than Saturday’s Salute to Law Enforcement.  The theme was event-long, including a display of nearly a dozen cars as part of Chip’s Choice that are owned or maintained by active/retired law enforcement.  Further, thanks to HJ Towing, a 36” x 24” foot America Flag served as the backdrop for photos and proved to be a symbol of freedom throughout the day.  Finally, at 12:30 p.m., local, regional, and federal law enforcement converged on the stage to be recognized by Carlisle Events staff and Corvettes at Carlisle showgoers.  All of this was…. powerful to say the least.

The aforementioned Chip’s Choice display wasn’t the only one turning heads.  Along with a Fun Field hosting thousands of Corvettes, attendees made a point to check out the 50-year reunion of 1971 Corvettes.  This display was supported by the C3 Corvette Registry.  In addition, the NCRS Gallery returned, as did the NCCC judged concours.  There was a 25^th anniversary of the 1996 Grand Sport, a gathering of Solid Axle Corvette owners, and even a nice mix of Aero Body Corvettes.  Thank goodness for digital photos, otherwise, many rolls of film would have been needed.

Another important element of the event was its special guests.  Guests included the father of the Grand Sport, John Heinricy, Team Chevrolet, Paul Koerner, Ken Lingenfelter, retired FBI agent Wes Wong and more.  Each played a special role in Corvettes at Carlisle, either from walk around sessions, special speeches, or tech sessions. 

Cars in motion are always a popular draw, regardless of where, when, or how.  For 2021, Corvettes at Carlisle put the wheels in motion with a law enforcement parade around the grounds Friday and the return of the Downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade and Street Party Saturday night.  Further, those looking to fulfill their need for speed could do so with the King of X autocross shootout or the rolling exhaust contest throughout the event.  Standing room only crowds could be found around each of these events.

The event wrapped with an awards parade and the return of long-time Carlisle Events staff member Diane Vaughn serving as the parade emcee.  There were hundreds of awards offered, including ones for largest club (Grand Sport Registry) and coolest club (also the GSR).  The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Corvette Club, awarded a beautiful C8 Corvette to a local enthusiast and the Spring Mountain Motor Resort also offered a prize associated with its Ron Fellows Driving school in Nevada. 

Many were also making plans for 2022, as over 200 cars pre-registered for the event; happening August 25-27, 2022.  Chip’s Choice also plans to feature the ultra-rare Pratt-Miller Corvettes.  To secure a vending spot or be part of the Fun Field, call Carlisle Events at 717-243-7855 or visit CarlisleEvents.com to learn more about the return of Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive.      

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Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive (August 26-28) has always served as a beacon for the top names within the automotive hobby.  In some cases, the name belongs to a person, while other instances bring a popular brand name to the event. All new for 2021, Corvettes at Carlisle welcomes one of the top names in automotive dealerships to the event for the first-time; Ciocca Corvette, also recognized as the World’s Largest Corvette dealer.  The Ciocca name may be familiar to some, as it adorns multiple dealerships in the mid-Atlantic region.  While they have long-standing brand awareness to many, it’s their newest dealership that brings them to Carlisle.

Long-time guests of Corvettes at Carlisle may recall Kerbeck Corvette being on-site for years, hosting a tent with a nice array of the latest Corvettes near the stage and grandstand.  That display remains but will be rebranded with the Ciocca Corvette of Atlantic City name as the family of dealerships purchased not only Kerbeck Corvette, but all dealerships under its umbrella earlier this summer.

“I’ve always had a passion for cars.  I just love them, and I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do,” said Gregg Ciocca, founder of the brand.   

Today, Gregg is the proud owner of 24 dealerships with 16 unique brands including Ford, Subaru, Mercedes, BMW, Honda and most recently the aforementioned Atlantic City market with the acquisition of Kerbeck in Atlantic City – which is currently celebrating its 27^th straight year as the world’s largest Corvette dealership.  Ciocca’s web page notes that they are “excited for the opportunity to be involved with the Corvette community and cites this as an iconic, once-in-a-lifetime acquisition.”

Along with Ciocca’s inclusion in Corvettes at Carlisle 2021, they’ll also offer registered Fun Field members a free shirt with joint branding of Corvettes at Carlisle and Ciocca on it.  This gift is a long-standing tradition, now carrying the Ciocca name. 

“I’ve been fortunate to grow up in Ocean City, New Jersey for many reasons, but most of all because of the friendships I’ve forged,” noted Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events.  “I’m privileged to call the Kerbeck brothers my friends.  In fact, I’ve known them all for many years, having lived a few houses down from George initially, and now my family lives a few houses from Charlie and Frank – small world,” continued Miller.  “I’m eager to create a friendship with the Ciocca family.  After all… anyone that loves cars as much as I do, how could we not become fast friends?  We are excited to have the Ciocca Chevrolet group with us as part of Corvettes at Carlisle weekend.  By the way, be sure to stop by their tent and grab a complimentary poster for you or your friends!”

Corvettes at Carlisle starts at 7 a.m. on August 26 and runs through the evening hours of August 28, culminating with the return of the Downtown Carlisle Corvette parade and street party.  In between, over 5,000 Corvettes will converge on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  In addition to the show cars, there are special guests, seminars, unique displays and plenty of options to put the wheels in motion via parades, competitions and more.  Discounted spectator tickets are available online at CarlisleEvents.com.  In addition, online Fun Field registration is available through Sunday, August 22 (in person from 8/23-8/28).  In the meanwhile, interested enthusiasts can review the event guide, now available online or by way of the Carlisle Events app (available on iTunes or Google Play).

Records are made to be broken, or so it’s said.  For the 2021 Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores, not only was a new record for show truck turnout achieved, but it was also SHATTERED.  2,513 trucks toppled the previous mark of 2,109 (set in 2002) and gave the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and those within its fence line a look like never before.

August 6-8 were dates that for weeks were targeted as a potential outlet for yet another Showfield record in 2021 for Carlisle Events.  After all, in the hours before the show opened, the pre-registration total nearly matched all of 2020’s turnout.  This, combined with the fact that multiple Showfield records have been broken in Carlisle throughout the 2021 season, gave everyone a reasonable expectation that it would indeed happen again.

As the sun rose over the grounds on day one, an anxious group of truck clubs, truck enthusiasts and truck owners converged for one of the largest truck shows in the mid-Atlantic.  Special displays included fire trucks, Syclones and Typhoons (SyTys), cool custom vans, big rigs, lowered trucks and even tractors.  These eye-catching pieces of production offered the perfect backdrop for photos, smiles and memories to last a lifetime.  In addition, guests were treated to special entertainment activities like monster truck rides and shows, axe throwing, FMX stunt jumps, a Motocross skills and demo show, and more. 

As Friday transitioned to Saturday guests were again treated to a jam-packed event with truck fun and competitions.  The fun started at 7 a.m., with the record-breaking truck entering the grounds sometime before 10 a.m.  From there, a steady stream of trucks and truck lovers rode their wave of fun throughout the day and into the night.  The crescendo of the night, the big rig glow show, lasted nearly 2 hours, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.  Monster truck fun continued with the rides and shows from Shockwave and Be Aware, plus the grandstands were packed for low truck limbo and the high truck competition, The night also kept the party going with drop and drag, and the aforementioned glow show. 

As records go, the big rig area also welcomed a record of sorts, as nearly 200 rigs hauled in to line the south side of the grounds between Gates 7 and 1 with haulers, rigs, wreckers, and heavy machinery.  Big rigs were such a part of the weekend that many trucking companies were on-site recruiting, while dozens more owner/operators were judged for awards consideration, with many hauling out with trophies.

It all wrapped on Sunday with two awards parades, one for the rigs and another for the standard trucks.  There was also one last go around for the monster trucks, stunt riders and the Bwana Jim wildlife show, before everyone hit the road for home.  As guests left, many pre-registered for next year, saving a little money off their costs along the way.  2022 dates are firmed up and plans are ongoing now for the event, taking place August 5-7. Details can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com.

On July 12, Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions announced the return of collector car auction excitement to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus with the Fall Lakeland Collector Car Auction, November 12-13, 2021.  With online bidding available, this and every Carlisle Auction, are ideal for buyers and sellers from around the world as well as the thousands of classic and collector car enthusiasts who live in central Florida.  With 400+ consignments offered; each lot will be ready to sell to the highest bidder.  In addition, Carlisle Auctions noted a return to the facility February 25-26, 2022 for a similar, two-day event, the Winter Lakeland Collector Car Auction. 

Other news emanating from America’s automotive hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania is that the popular Air & Coach Concours will return to be part of the February fun and will be part of the returning Fall offering too.  This offers another great gathering of luxury motorcoaches, camaraderie, food and fun. 

While auctions, motor coaches and a very active runway offer a visual backdrop to the facility, Carlisle Events will no longer be taking the lead on car shows or parts shopping.  These elements may continue by way of third-party hosts or car clubs in February 2022.  Long-time supporters of the NCRS Winter Regional event and the Mustangs and Mustangs, Legends Having Fun car shows should follow up directly with relevant club leaders for details moving forward. 

Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions have been part of the central Florida car culture since 2012, first in Zephyrhills, then starting in 2015, Lakeland.  Though the look and feel of what’s coming to the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus may vary slightly moving forward, without the past 10 years of support from car enthusiasts of all types, the ability to continue with the Air & Coach Concours, plus two great auctions would not be possible.

Carlisle Auctions has one Pennsylvania auction remaining on its schedule in 2021, the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, September 30-October 1, at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Not long after its conclusion, the Carlisle Auctions team will turn its focus to the two Florida events, including registering bidders, accepting consignments and the overall planning for the sale of investments that truly accelerate.  Learn more today at CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400.

Another car show at Carlisle and guess what, another Showfield record is broken in 2021!  Since the Carlisle Events schedule launched in January of 2021, turnout for events has been near or above record numbers and that trend continued July 9-11 as part of the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.  The “Mopar Madness” was on full display, as was an all-new record of 2,926 cars, mixing perfectly with a sold-out swap meet of vendors.

The three-day affair is always extended to four with the annual Mopar Rebellion kick-off party, held starting at 4 p.m. on the Thursday before show weekend.  That get together was the perfect jumping off point for what would end up being three full days of energy, parts shopping and unmatched camaraderie. 

Once the sun rose on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds July 9 through the final load-out on Sunday, the place was hopping with special displays, vendors, guests and special attractions.  Spotlighted in 2021 were the Demons, 50-years of 1971 Mopars, Old Skool Paint, and even Dirty ‘Birds.  Buildings T and Y saw a lot of eyes, as guests checked out the likes of a 1971 Road Runner that was salvaged and rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina, another ’71 that was driven direct from Connecticut to Carlisle with no AC or power steering and even a ’71 with a big Warner Brothers Road Runner protruding from the hood (beep! beep!).  Not far from there was a nice mix of Forward Look cars in Building R.  This display included designers Gordon Davis and Diran Yazejian.

The Forward Look guys weren’t the only special guests, as Carlisle welcomed Herb McCandless, the Golden Commandos, Ramchargers, Joe Zolper and Dave Rea too.  For McCandless, his appearance was supported by the world premiere of a documentary titled “Mr. 4 Speed,” some of which was shot in Carlisle in 2019.

While the nice mix of cars looked great on the Showfield, did you know that people come to Carlisle for something other than the diverse mix of cars?  It’s true!  The swap meet at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals is the biggest and best of its type and for weeks leading up to event weekend, was sold out.  Once July 9-11 rolled around, those spaces were packed with vendors selling millions of pieces and parts and a customer base eager to buy! 

The sights and sounds of the event were palpable too, with engine revs, horn honks and blowers whining all weekend. Some of the best sensory moments came from car parades, plus competitions including rolling exhaust, real street shootout and even open autocross runs.  Just like the Showfield winners, these competitions sent a handful of participants home with awards and memories to cherish for years to come.  It truly was amazing!

Though this year’s event has concluded, preparations are underway for the 2022 show.  Next year’s fun runs July 15-17.  Save the date and register today because it’ll be a fun one!