The fall Harold Watson Memorial Waterdown Car Show and Swap Meet has come and gone, but to clarify a few misconceptions. most car guys don’t call it Waterdown, it’s simply the ‘Rockton car show and Swap Meet. ‘ Why, because it’s held at the famous ‘Rockton Fair Grounds.’
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, being a swap meet vendor, I attend all these classic car events in the area. So at 7 am you’ll see me setting up my tables on a well-groomed designated spot, ‘preferably ‘under a tree.’
And there you will find me selling my leftover project car parts. Actually, anything car-related items such as, model cars to original fender skirts for a ’55 Chevrolet to chrome wheels for your rat rod.
- I shoot the breeze with like-minded car enthusiasts and bring home a pocket full of cash. ‘Well, folks, that part is a lie and only wishful thinking.’
CLICK HERE “007 Pimpmobile Story.” 🔗
Although I’ve been around this iron for many years, as a now blogger, I get inspired by all these other car-related stories and bullshit tales that come my way. Many times, you’ll find me starting them myself. There is no such thing as ‘writer’s block’ when vending at one of these car events.
The troubling downside is, I’m also observing a declining attendance year after year. The older gearheads are getting older, and the younger car enthusiasts are getting scarcer. The upside of these car events, ‘among the stories we share and the few parts I sell,’ is the thousands of colourful classic car photos I take and spread across the web for all to enjoy.
- But to mention the Waterdown Car Show and Fall Swap Meet, I also have to mention, it was on my bucket list of things to do this summer.
And the bucket list part of the story goes this way.
** Some people make a New Year’s resolution and I, make up a bucket list of sorts as a reminder of places I must see and go in the new year. But, through all fair, the swap meet events are already on my agenda. But the kicker to this story is, ‘I missed the fall car show in Rockton.’
If you noticed in the featured photo, all you see is the quietness of the once-packed field of classic and vintage cars. You would have seen vendors jammed row on row, all selling their new and used car parts. So when travelling past the entrance pillars today, this is what it looked like two months later.
I even noticed the ice cream parlour at the entrance way was closed.
Well, folks, nothing here except an empty yard until next year, where you will find me through the gates to the left, make a right, follow it down to the end.
Click Here **Submarine Bucket List Story **
* But before leaving, there is one more must-tell vendor story.
At a Spring Car Show and Shine event, I set up my vendor’s booth like I always do. I spread out all the mechanics tools on one side of the pop-up table, and smaller, hard-to-find parts on the other. The big parts and pieces go on the ground over a cheap blue tarp.’
As I’m now officially open for business, along comes this: “I’m assuming a husband and wife team.”
He picks up a wrench in one hand, and he seems to compare it with one in the other hand.
- I noticed right off, the wife was leaning to whisper something in his ear. But loud enough that I overheard, “Dear she said, you already have two, ‘you don’t need another.’
With a quick male response, he said, ‘You never know when you need more.’ Well, folks, I have to admit that would be my answer.
In the end, he purchased both tools to add to his collection of many. And with that, most women (after reading that part,) would chalk this event up as, ‘It must be a man thing, because they know that we know, ‘more is better.’
*** It’s no wonder his wife rolled her eyes back after he purchased these fine but slightly used hand tools.
- In case you’re wondering, ladies, ‘The slogan car-enthusiasts live by is;’ The man with the most tools when he dies…”WINS.” And with that, thanks for reading. * 📢 It’s definitely a guy thing.*
The bottom line is folks, enjoy some of my photos, and I’ll see you at one of the spring Car Shows and Shines. Watch for my white teardrop trailer that holds all my good stuff.
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“Written by Dave Wettlaufer, a heavy equipment, truck and coach and everything in-between mechanic. Now turned, opinionated Blogger and a … Swap Meet Vendor.