A gorgeous weather week made Spring Carlisle 2023 an overwhelming success. From Wednesday to Sunday and every day in between, Carlisle was bustling with automotive excitement. Event highlights included a two-day classic and collector car auction presented by Carlisle Auctions, the automotive flea market, car corral, Manufactures Midway, AACA Car Club display, and the ARMO Hot Products Showcase. In total, the 8,100 spaces onsite were filled, including most spaces within the car corral. Best of all, everyone who came to Carlisle left with something, either a much-needed part, must have collectible, collector car, or great memories.
Gates opened bright and early on Wednesday, with the crowds steadily picking up into the afternoon. Thursday’s turnout was even more impressive, with the beautiful weather surely enticing the guests. Thursday was also the first day of the auction, where 450+ lots were up for grabs. While the auction happened a few blocks west of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, onsite excitement between Thursday and Saturday mid-day really helped solidify Spring Carlisle as one of the premier events of its type in the world. Aisles were packed shoulder to shoulder with guests who spent every available show hour picking, purchasing and mingling along the way. Vendor sales were also reported to be brisk and despite some wet weather, spirits remained high all around.
Car parts, merchandise, memorabilia, collectibles, and more were coming and going all day, every day. Cars and trucks were even finding new garages to call home as business was booming in all corners of the 82-acre facility. 2023 continues the upward trend for Carlisle Events, as vendor sales, spectator admission tickets, and overall attendance were up year over year from 2022.
The stage area was actually a popular spot for guests throughout Spring Carlisle. On it were members of the AACA Car Club. They returned to Carlisle to showcase cool cars from the club, solicit for new members, and promote their upcoming fall meet in Hershey. While the AACA was on the stage, the ARMO Hot Products Showcase was in front of it. ARMO brought some of the hottest NEW products on the market to the masses at Carlisle. ARMO is a council of SEMA, which is a private industry trade event held each fall in November. For most guests, this ARMO display gives them a first-hand/in-person look at ways to better their prized ride.
Spring Carlisle had a charitable angle too, as representatives from area Lions Clubs were staffing the gates and accepting donations for their own Lions International Disaster Relief Fund. By working three days, the Lions secured just over $2,000 in generous donations. They’ll return to Carlisle for a few more events this season, including the upcoming Carlisle Ford Nationals in June.
Another great element of Spring Carlisle was the two-day classic and collector car auction hosted by Carlisle Auctions. The auction tallied $6 million in sales (including fees) and can boast a 68% sell-through rate. The auction showcased the Robert Metzgar Collection, an All-Truck Hour where 72% of the trucks sold, and hit the $324,000 mark by way of selling Serial #100, a 1953 Corvette.
While Spring Carlisle is a wrap for 2023, Carlisle Events sets its sights on the next event, plus next year’s spring show. Up next at the fairgrounds is the annual international showcase of cars and trucks as part of the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals (May 12-13). As Spring Carlisle 2024 goes, the event is planned for April 17-23, with the auction happening April 18-19. Complete details on all things car show related, including the ability to buy spectator tickets in advance at a discounted rate can be found at CarlisleEvents.com.
