I just booked my hotel for the Portland swap meet! I'm stoked, got a great deal, $99 a night at Oxford suites. It's my first time to the swap meet, any suggestions or helpful tips? Also any great places to eat? Thanks
Go to the track first. It seems that the better deals are there. Alot more action also. We usually head down Thursday night, do a quick walk around the track. Friday morning wake up early and do the track, and then do the exhibition center. Then we eat dinner and do a quick walk around the track again. Saturday morning we do another lap and then head home Saturday night. We take the RV so we have a base camp for liquid refreshments and food.
I believe the track PIR swap meet starts Thursday.!!! The Expo center and the track are two different venues actually and run by 2 different organizations. http://www.oldride.com/events/3709605.html
Bring a hand truck or cart One year my Dad found a good deal on a Mac side cabinet 15 minutes in the gate but ended up buying a old airport luggage cart to tote it around And good walking shoes
I like the Track. More layed back vendors. If you are looking for cars then the upper Expo is better but you will be paying higher doller for most things. Thats my take. I have been to it about 10 times.
Yea man I bring a backpack if I'm just lookin for little stuff. The cart idea is a good one if big parts are your thing. Most times I ask to leave the big stuff at the booths were I bought it and pick it up on the way out.
Some guys say you can see both in one day me and My Dad only do the Expo (original swap) on Friday 2 years ago we went fast through the expo and hit the track but it was to much in one day if you get there Friday i would hit the Expo first then the track Saturday the track starts Thursday and if you can get to the expo Friday you have first look
There's a drop off area where you can take large parts. They give you a ticket so you can drive around to pick them up with your car or truck. I always pull one of those old granny wire carts with me, just for odds and ends. Take the shuttle bus if you can't get into the main lot. There's parking everywhere, but DON"T park on the road behind the expo on the West side. They write tons of tickets there every year!
I think i will do one on friday and the other on saturday then leave sunday open to repeat which ever one i liked the most. I think will bring a backpack, not sure i will be able to haul a wagon up with me.
My hotel doesn't have room for my trailer. Any idea where a guy could park a trailer during the show? On sight or even a half hour away might be OK. Let me know guys.
I'll be there!! Only question is how much money will I have saved. As for places to go, I don't know about the food but this is a must for me that weekend. http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8473428/portland_or/dancin_bare.html I haven't been there in years but some things just don't change!
Dont forget your best rain gear! I lived in Portland and attended many meets there. I can get really wet!
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I usually go to both, the track first and then the Expo next. Like was mentioned, wear some good walking shoes. Have some good raingear for the track, once you start around it, there isn't many places to get out of the rain. The Expo hall has some buildings where you can get out of the weather.
Good shoes, rain gear and sun block. I have been soaked one year and sunburnt the next!I will be at the track with a couple of booths. As far as parking a trailer the track has pre-sale tix and you can get rv parking out side the back gate, with or with out hook ups. We get a booth inside at the track just for the rv and acouple more for the parts, then you are always where the action is! That place really comes alive after they close the gates to the public in the evening!
Yes, the weather will be unpredictable. As dubcee said bring rain gear and sun block. If you have a tendency to party hard, I would see the track first..you want to be fully alert when walking it, to be able to avoid the pyschos on their mopeds, minibikes, three wheelers, etc. Oh yeah, don't forget your most comfortable walking shoes. Lots of stuff to see, worth checking it out.
Definitely the track first - if you start out 'up top', you may get so distracted (happens to 'first-timers') that you'll miss the track completely. Ditto on the sunscreen, layered clothing (so you can peel down to a t-shirt if the sun is out) and a hooded rain jacket of some kind. Careful parking on the grass fields, if it rains prior to and during the meet, some ingress/egress routes can be turned into "$100 hole" from increased use. Have a good time - it's a great swap meet. My friend Bill and I used to go almost every year when I still lived in the NW and I miss it. dj
I live about 10 miles north on Washington side of the river just 2 miles west of I-5 you're welcome to leave the trailer at my place. I have plenty of room and it's secure. 41plym
They've pretty much shut down anyone staying in their RV inside the Expo, but I think the track is still open to people staying overnight if they're quiet.
It's funny, I was just thinking were in the middle of winter but talk of the BIG swap meet is making me feel like summer is creeping up on us. Anyway last year was hotter than the devils asshole, I would bet on rain this year... If you're not bringing a cart def bring a back pack, good shoes and take your time I have rushed through it before and felt like a missed a bunch of stuff and was EXHAUSTED in the end. Remember to have fun!
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