Rochester Hamfest - still what it was or fading out ??
 

So once again, shortly after Dayton there's the Rochester hamfest. Last
year, the Friday crowd was very limited and a great deal of vendor spaces
were again empty as they were the year before.

Is there anyone out there who was there on both Friday and Saturday who can
offer a first hand comparison on the two days? Was Saturday much better
attended both in vendors and buyers? Don't get me wrong here, Rochester is
still a nice fleamarket and we still manage to score some nice finds, but
it's not nearly what it was a few years back. Sure the Ham hobby is waning a
bit and we sure could use some fresh faces in our clubs, but other well
promoted hamfests are holding their own so to speak. Is it that Rochester's
Friday is fading out and Saturday is much better, or it the whole event
shrinking?

If someone who was there both days (or even just on Saturday and it was as
good as ever) could shed some light on this one as a few of us are deciding
on whether to try a Saturday instead or just to give it a miss this year.

'73
Bob.

Rochester Hamfest - still what it was or fading out ??
 

Bob wrote:
So once again, shortly after Dayton there's the Rochester hamfest. Last
year, the Friday crowd was very limited and a great deal of vendor spaces
were again empty as they were the year before.

Is there anyone out there who was there on both Friday and Saturday who can
offer a first hand comparison on the two days? Was Saturday much better
attended both in vendors and buyers? Don't get me wrong here, Rochester is
still a nice fleamarket and we still manage to score some nice finds, but
it's not nearly what it was a few years back. Sure the Ham hobby is waning a
bit and we sure could use some fresh faces in our clubs, but other well
promoted hamfests are holding their own so to speak. Is it that Rochester's
Friday is fading out and Saturday is much better, or it the whole event
shrinking?

If someone who was there both days (or even just on Saturday and it was as
good as ever) could shed some light on this one as a few of us are deciding
on whether to try a Saturday instead or just to give it a miss this year.

'73
Bob.

Assuming you're talking about Deerfield, then yes I was there both days.
I attended Deerfield years ago when it was sponsored by "Hoss Traders"
and I attended Rochester when it was moved. I stopped going after
"Rainchester" for a few years and never went to Hopkinton, which, I
understand, was a lot nicer - very much like the original Deerfield.

This year's Deerfield was very much like the early days. I'm guessing
there were about 2 - 3000 there. There were only two buildings open and
only 1 bathroom! I am guessing that it will build. There will be
slightly fewer there in the Fall and more in the Spring. For those
looking for bargains, Friday is usually a must. Most sellers (just a
guess, I don't know for certain) go on Friday and stay for two days.
Some sellers only go on Saturday. If I were a major seller, I would
probably leave early only if I sold what I wanted to.

The crowd was (I think) slightly larger on Saturday. Tickets were good
for both days.

If you have more questions, just ask away. Email is ok, but I am
leaving for NYC tomorrow morning and only check the newsgroup once a day.
--

Larry W1HJF
rapp at lmr dot com