Went to the Pate Tx swap meet, lots of great stuff, here are some pictures. Walked 17 miles in three days and didn't make it through everything, 14 roads about a mile each plus cars across the road. You can ride bicycles, minibikes in the morning and they rent electric carts. Well worth the trip, our third year there.
Been buying and selling at Pate for about 25 years now. Biggest one in our part of the world. I fould a truck load of bargains this year. Brought home way too much stuff.
been setting up a space or two for 33 years now....always look forward to seeing the friends we've made over the years....it's not so much about the money....
Pate is great! Out of respect, long time coordinator/worker & good friend, Don Currie of the Pate staff has just passed, as a result of an auto accident. He was involved with the meet since its beginning in the early '70's. He will be missed.
I went to the meet in the early 70's when it was on the grounds of the Museum. That was the first swapmeet I ever went to and the first one I ever sold at. I showed up one year with my panel loaded down with stuff and just enough cash to pay the fee for the space. I sold almost everything I took and bought almost as much stuff as I sold to haul back. I'd love to go down to it again.
Last year it was 85 bucks for an all day rental! We set up every year. Thursday is actually deal day if your early!
I drive a cart pulling a trailer for parts hauling and I can tell you that Thursday is dealer dealing day, you will see a pair of doors on the top side of the meet and see the same doors on the lower side of the meet with the price raised by $50.00 or more. Thursday is the most fun day of the meet for me. I start hauling parts Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to drive the cart, Friday and Saturday has too many people you have to watch out for and they walk the width of the streets so you have to be very careful, a little stressful and you cannot be looking all around for parts for yourself while you drive.
I am going to make my first trip down there next week. Leaving Indiana on Wed morning and driving straight thru. Can't wait. Anything I should know?
Wear comfortable shoes. Sun screen wont hurt. Umbrella or poncho comes in handy. Oh yeah, bring money.....lots of it.
Trying to find someone going to Pate from Austin to deliver a trunk lid to a guy to save him a trip ....Any help...Thanks.... Laura
The Jalopy Journal
