The iconic baseball movie Field of Dreams hosts an equally iconic phrase; “if you build it, they will come.”  For Carlisle Events in 2021, it’s more like “if you host it, they will come.”  The Carlisle PA Fairgrounds might not be the Kinsella farm in Dyersville, Iowa, but the Miller’s field of dreams has been that and so much more for car lovers in 2021.  That passion was once again on display June 25-26 as part of a near record setting Carlisle GM Nationals; one that would turn out to be a top-5 all-time result for a car show that dates back to 2001.

Two amazing days of weather fueled over 20,000 guests and 1,026 show cars, the best car count at the GM Nationals since 2014.  Mix that in with passionate owners coming together to show off their rides, sell their products or go fast on the track and by the time the final awards were handed out on Saturday night, those leaving were wishing they could stay for more.

Special displays and activities went a long way to giving showgoers the kind of fix they needed.  This included open autocross runs and ride, the Solid Lifter Showroom in Building Y, GM Engine Swaps, the H-Platform and Vega feature, plus Comic-Car Con in Building T, the Novas under the pavilion, Corvettes for Chip (charity car show within the show) and even more amazing pieces of GM history on the National Parts Depot Showfield.  In fact, one of the biggest surprises of the weekend was the turnout of Fieros at the show.  There were so many in one place that Aaron Kaufman (Gas Monkey Garage, Aaron Needs a Job, Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman) remarked that he’d never seen so many together in one place…and he’s been to a lot of car shows.

Speaking of Kaufman, he made it to Carlisle by way of Denver where he was helping wrench a Pikes Peak Hill Climb car.  His Carlisle GM Nationals layover included two autograph sessions, a few concessions stand stops, a private tour of Lance Miller’s car collection and over 500 autographs signed.  Guests lined up non-stop for each of the two sessions to meet him, talk shop, snap a photo or get an autograph.  Kaufman even found time to peruse the Showfield, where he picked a 1959 Chevy Biscayne as his “celebrity choice” award winner.

In addition to Kaufman’s pick, many more event guests went home with awards, either via celebrity choice, Carlisle Elite, judging and more.  There were other awards too, as the UMI Performance autocross track hosted a real street shootout, plus the east side of the grounds welcomed more than a dozen drivers as part of the rolling exhaust contest. 

As the sun sets on the 2021 event, plans are already underway for 2022.  The event dates are June 24-25 and registration for the National Parts Depot Showfield is now open, including a 10% savings.  Learn more about the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals and all other events on the Carlisle Events schedule online at CarlisleEvents.com.

In less than one week the Carlisle GM Nationals take center stage at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  The two-day gathering of all things GM takes place June 25-26 and includes competitions, special displays and even some cool automotive guests.  Each guest is special for various reasons, but the one standing front and center on June 26 rose to fame in the eyes of the car community via a handful of popular car programs.  For one day only, Carlisle Events is pleased to welcome Aaron Kaufman, direct from Texas to Carlisle! 

Kaufman is a builder and TV personality who is known for his time alongside Richard Rawlings on Gas Monkey Garage.  In addition, he’s also the owner of Dallas, Texas based Arclight Fabrication.  Kaufman also ventured into solo TV projects, including Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman and Aaron Needs a Job. 

While noted that Kaufman is coming direct from Texas, more accurately, he’s flying in from Denver, where he’s training and preparing for the internationally famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb, taking place just hours after his autograph sessions in Carlisle.  The sessions are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, while the 99^th offering of the “Race to the Clouds” is June 27 at the famous nearly three miles high mountain known as Pikes Peak in Cascade, Colorado.  By the way, an autograph and photo opportunity with Kaufman is FREE once on grounds at Carlisle. 

*Please note, an earlier guest appearance announcement noted that Mike Finnegan, host of Roadkill on Motor Trend TV, would appear at the Carlisle GM Nationals.  Due to circumstances beyond the control of all parties involved, he will not be appearing. 

Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to learn more about the 2021 Carlisle GM Nationals, review photos of Featured Vehicle displays, register for the National Parts Depot Showfield or to be a vendor, purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance and more.  Call 717-243-7855 to learn more today.  

Fans of Ford and the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s were eager to return to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds to showcase and celebrate their prized rides in 2021, that’s for sure.  After an augmented 2020 event, showgoers only had to wait 10 short months to reunite in Carlisle for what WILL BE remembered as the biggest and best Carlisle Ford Nationals of all-time, welcoming a NEW RECORD 3,241 registered show cars.  This total topped the previous mark of 3,194 set in 2019 and was the second highest total for any car show ever hosted by Carlisle Events.

With the roar of engines, the shine of paint and the smell of car care products plus an amazing array of classic and collector cars on the National Parts Depot Showfield, the energy level of the event was very noticeable from 7 a.m. on Friday, June 4 until the final cars loaded out on Sunday, June 6.  In fact, with great weather throughout the weekend, there were even some lingering guests Sunday who were holding on for one more memory before a return in 2022.

But, what kept everyone so excited throughout?  Maybe it was the awesome Built Ford Proud display just inside of the main entry gate, or maybe it was Ford’s midway display.  It also could have been the bevvy of amazing cars within the special displays in and around Buildings T or Y?  Parts shopping was also a major aspect to the event, with the automotive flea market bustling from even before the event officially opened. 

Another great element, one that isn’t common for many events outside of what’s offered at the Carlisle Ford Nationals, was the product showcases, seminars and discussions held all weekend at the stage.  These seminars included multiple walkarounds focused on the NEW Ford Bronco, the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, classic Broncos with Gateway Bronco, how the GT40s got their sound in the movie “Ford vs. Ferrari,” the story of Al Joniec hosted by John Clor of Ford Performance, Ford Performance Club Connect and Ford Registry chats with John Clor & Marcus Cervantes, and SO MUCH MORE.  The stage was also bustling on Saturday for another reason; a pair of autograph sessions by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Hailie Deegan.

If all that wasn’t enough for a home run of an event, the cars were also in motion by way of a trio of autocross activities on the Gateway Classic Mustang course, a rolling exhaust contest and the return of the downtown Carlisle Ford Parade and Street Party. 

As the sun sets on 2021, guests are already making plans for the 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals.  Save the date, but the Ford family of fun returns June 3-5 in Carlisle.  Registration for the event is NOW OPEN! 

The GM family of vehicles are rich with history and tradition.  What were once stand-alone brands like Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, etc. now fall under the General Motors umbrella and are all equally celebrated at the Carlisle GM Nationals each summer.  This year, from June 25-26, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and Nationals Parts Depot Showfield come alive with over 100 years of history.  As part of this showcase, there are special displays, guests, cool cars and more.  In addition, GM Nationals weekend hosts a charity car show to benefit the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation.

It all starts early on Friday, June 25.  When the gates open at 7 a.m. guests will be met with throngs of unique displays.  For 2021, the must-see attractions include a nod to pop-culture by way of Comic-Car Con.   This display will have selected cars that represent TV shows and movies spanning decades of entertainment.  Further, guests can enjoy the 50^th celebration of the Vega and H-Platform, a GM Swaps display, a GM Nationals Showcase display and the annual Solid Lifter Showroom in Building Y.

Along with the cool cars are equally cool guests.  Just announced, spend a day at Carlisle on Saturday, June 26 and meet TV host and builder Aaron Kaufman of Gas Monkey Garage fame.  Kaufman comes to the GM Nationals for the first time ever and is anxious to see the cars and meet the enthusiasts.  In addition to Gas Monkey Garage, which Kaufman co-hosted with Richard Rawlings, he’s also the owner of Dallas, Texas based Arclight Fabrication.  Kaufman also ventured into solo TV projects, including Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman and Aaron Needs a Job.  His appearance time and on grounds location is TBD, but it is FREE to meet him and get an autograph once through the gates.

Cars at Carlisle don’t just show, they go too.  The Carlisle GM Nationals have a few competitions that excite the crowed.  This includes a rolling exhaust contest, real-street shootout and some fun with UMI Performance and autocross each day.  The shootout is Friday, while the exhaust contest is Saturday.  There are also seminars, installs with A&A Auto Stores and awards like Carlisle Elite, largest club and coolest club too.

Finally, ALL NEW in 2021, Carlisle Events and the Carlisle GM Nationals welcome the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, the York County Corvette Club and Corvettes for Chip.  This event, historically held in the fall, transitions to the GM Nationals and will welcome over 200 Corvettes to the grounds.  Corvettes for Chip is a fund-raising event geared towards raising awareness of and money for the CMAF and Amyloidosis, the disease that took the life of Carlisle Events co-founder Chip Miller in 2004. 

Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to apply for Feature Vehicle displays, register for the National Parts Depot Showfield or to be a vendor, purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance and more.  Call 717-243-7855 to learn more today.  

Cars bring people together!  It doesn’t matter if it’s a large-scale car show, parking lot cruise in, or a drive down Main Street U.S.A., when automotive art is present, people pay attention.  For 2021, Carlisle Events is proud to share that in conjunction with the Downtown Carlisle Association, two marquee events return to the main streets of America’s Automotive Hometown, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 

Those events; the Ford Parade and Street Party and Chip Miller Memorial Corvette Parade happen June 5 and August 28 at 7 p.m. respectively and are back after a one-year COVID hiatus.  Parades in 2021 are presented by M&T Bank.  The premise of both see registered participants from the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s and Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive cruise from the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds into the streets and square of downtown Carlisle.  The best spots for parade viewing are from the intersection of Carlisle Springs Rd./Route 34 and North Hanover St. through downtown and along Main St. near the Courthouse.  From there, parade participants park, while the community mixes and mingles with them and their show cars.

In addition, bringing cars and people into the downtown area has historically been an economic boom for the businesses that line North Hanover St., Pomfret St. and High St.  Part of the mixing and mingling process means shopping in stores that may not otherwise be open later on a Saturday or checking out a restaurant that might not be a common stop for those who attend.  The parades are also a large fundraising source for the DCA itself, so much so that after years of hosting the Corvette parade (launched in 1988), the Ford parade commenced in 2011.  Each have occurred annually since (other than 2020).

“The Downtown Carlisle Association/LoveCarlisle is happy to have these parades returning to our wonderful downtown again,” noted DCA President Glenn White.  “This partnership brings millions of dollars into downtown every year and it shows commitment from our regional stakeholders, like Bill Miller and Lance Miller of Carlisle Events who champion support in the community annually,” continued White.  “This is a time where you can see great American engineering and re-live personal memories through these great cars in a historic downtown.  Come down early and stay late!  Sip, shop and stroll to visit your favorite store or explore a new restaurant.  Plus enjoy the sounds of downtown and this amazing tradition that has become an annual part of the downtown.  These are all reasons why you will LoveCarlisle!”

Parade registration is an available add-on when registering for the respective events online at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.  Parade fees go directly to the DCA, who will also be on-site during Ford and Corvette weekend to sign guests up in person, while slots remain.  The Carlisle Ford Nationals run June 4-6, while Corvettes at Carlisle runs August 26-28.  Complete details about both events are available via the aforementioned web page.