We drove down from Grass Valley and it took us about 55 minutes to go the 2 miles down to the event entrance from Watt Ave. We saw cars pulling into the entrance off in the distance but by the time we got there the cops waved us by. We figured we could park down the road in a residential area and walk in, but we were told by others that cops weren't even letting walk-ins into the event and were shutting it down and making people leave. Needless to say we were pretty bummed. Sounds like the potential attendance was WAY underrepresented to the cops, because the only way they would shut it down like that was because they were taken by surprise. It's too bad this event has had gate issues these last couple of years because it's pretty cool event overall.
I left about 9:30 and the word was they weren't letting anymore people in because it was getting too big, and it waaaaass big. The first one I went to was at the Sheridan parking lot and this one was by far the largest one. Lot of nice cars, bikes, ladies and an overall nice crowd.
They told me the samething and then we parked down off of watt. And walked rite in by going down by the creek. And got right in. Great show it was my first year and I had a blast even with the cops freaking out.
Wow!! seems this show can not get a break-must be some place it can be held without all this trouble-how about the Sacramento Raceway on non race weekend? or the Power Balance (ARCO) Arena parking lot - where the monster Sacramento Swap Meet will be held August 7 ?
Well as a lot of you know it's not the first time more people have showed up than expected. After doing this show for the first seven years, I knew Gibson Ranch was too small. It might have been big enough for the show cars but I don't think they took in account that there was over 6,000 spectators the last two years.
Problem is CAL-Expo cops handed out 80+ DUI's when it weas held there. The guy parked next to me got his without even starting his engine. The cops were on mountain bikes and cruised the show for hours observing future "marks" and when the show wound down about 50 of them started nailing people. My buddy, who had a few beers and want even driving, almost got nailed for DIP. So while Cal-Expo sounds neat and all, its a 'bring your own handcuffs' event.
great show, we arrived at 3pm and left at 11pm, some of are friends walked in around 9pm and said it took them 2 hours to get in. but said they expected alot of traffic going late in the day it was well worth the wait!
Would have been nice to know there were different ways to get it...I guess you need to be familiar with the venue or know someone on the inside. No biggie...it's just a carshow, but it was a drag spending 3 1/2 hours in the car to get there, wait in line and then drive home without even enjoying the show. I agree with ARCO parking lot or something large like that. As far as DUI's go, I'm no fan of overzealous cops just looking for someone to arrest, but what I hate even more are drunk drivers who put the rest of us in danger. You're going to drink, assign a DD... The REAL bottom line here is that once the cops get it in their mind that we cannot self regulate and that the crowds we as old school hot rodders draw are too big or unruly, we won't get approval on ANY show from local municipalities. This reflects on the ENTIRE HOBBY in the Sacramento area.
Once again! the Poor Boys put on a bitchin car show. My wife and I got in around 5pm left at midnight no trouble getting in or out and most important no problems with the police, (seemed pretty relaxed this year). Location was great with all the grass/shade trees. Already planning for next years show? Let me know, I wouldnt miss it for the world. Thanks again for all you're guys' hard work.
Way to go poor boys. Went a few years ago, and the cars and people there are unlike any other carshow I have ever attended. Great great event. Mark it on the calendar for next year.
Every thing this year was done by the members of he poorboys with no help from promoters and planned out from start to finish .The gate and spectator parking was controlled by the ranch .We told them we would have at least 7000 spectator .the police did not shut it down Gibson ranch shut it down when they lost control of the front gate .We tried to worn them .The poorboys have been putting this show on for 8 years now and new what to expect .Sorry to all who could not get in including friends of our own club..Thank you to all my Poorboy brothers ,friends and family that put in alot of hard work you all kicked ass and made it the best show to date .And 20 percent of our spectator money taken in will go to Autism speaks Thanks for your understanding P.B.F.L. Hotrod
Very few can really relate to the HUGE effort that went into Midnight Mass ... or the curve balls that were tossed at the club from the git go .. I loved Gibson Ranch ... I rolled in thru Dyer Lane about 6pm and got right in .. and found a shade tree to park my Hudson under . and FYI they did look at Arco (now Power Balance Pavilion) and just about any venue in the Norcal area ... When we removed the Reno Swap Meet from our old partner ..Nevada's Hot Greedy Nights, I too was faced with some real tough choices .. and lucked out getting the Power Balance Pavilion... because we had 40 plus years behind us and a huge following we were able to secure the Power Balance Pavilion for our swap meet ... and let me tell you it was a nightmare on the first one .. We are about to hold our 5th one at the Power Balance Pavilion 8-7-11 and it has smoothed out and still continues to grow ...(it has almost tripled in size from our days at the Reno Livestock "dust bowl" Event Center ) anyway... my hats off to the Poorboys and you can count on my support and help for the 2012 ... where ever it is held .... we owe the Poor Boys club all of our positive thoughts ... and any suggestions should be given to them via a snail mail letter or private email that they can show to Gibson Ranch officials , the Sac Sheriffs and any other potential venue operators as a event organizer -- every where I looked I saw expen$e$ .. light$ ... porta pottie$ ... radio$ ....golf cart$ .... security patrol$ ... Band$ John Sweeney "In Rust We Trust" PS ...the goody bag had way over $20 bucks of cool stuff in it ..
Thanks to everybody who came out. And thanks to everybody who has ever been part of building up this show. The show has come a long long ways since the first one we had in T.J. Pagano's shop parking lot. That first year we were expecting maybe 50 cars, and had 250. Every year grows more and more. The hardest part about a new venue is actually getting the venue to believe how insanely huge the show has become. Bruce V., you know exactly what i am talking about... how many times have we heard "we can handle any crowd you can bring in"? This is not the first year we have had large numbers of people turned away. And if it was up to our club, when the venue can't handle the intake, we would rather see them just open all gates and let people roll in for free. But not everything was up to us. Sorry again for anybody who didn't get in. Thank you to everybody who came or tried to come. We love you all. -LEFTY- POORBOYS
It was a great show,Packed with cars and lovely ladys also. We left about 9 pm or so to avoid all the police hassle. See you all next year.
If you guys did warn him about the number of spectators that could show up then he was at fault for not being prepared. That's part of putting on this show, not only having enough room for show cars but enough parking for spectators, which is always a guessing game.
You are right bruce and should know .it was due to the fact of not hiring enough people to keep the flow of cars coming in .
recipe for stalled traffic: two lane feeder street to gate one lane road coming in to park stopping every car to charge entry fee/parking fee in that lane no traffic control on the feeder street
I got there at 5 and left at 10, had zero problems getting in or out. Apparently around 730-8 though, traffic was backed up to Watt so I know people who parked at Wal-Mart and walked! Overall I think it was a great show. I especially enjoyed the spot lights and port-potties everywhere. Only thing I would change is not having that pizza vendor back, charged $4 for a slice that was barely bigger than a dollar bill! No joke, that was lame. I would happily pay $20 to get in again and $20 on other food items.
it sure would be cool if these two events were on the same weekend. midnight mass saturday and the reno swap on sunday. just a thought....
With residences abutting the Gibson Ranch property, I wonder how many "nuisance" calls" were made ? At least, with Cal Expo, you don't have neighbors to deal with... Just a thought....... The Masses my wife and I have been to were great !!!!!!!!!!! 4TTRUK
Doublezo,... Do you mean combining Midnite Mass, with the Reno swap meet at Arco Arena ? See you at Thunder Valley ! 4TTRUK
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