Barber Motorsports Park - Vintage Festival?

Does anyone have any experience attending the Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park?

This year's event is October 11th to 13th. It includes motorcycle races, air shows, swap meets, stunt shows, and museum seminars.

I'm thinking this could be a worthwhile trip.

Been to Barber's several times and the museum alone is worth the trip. However, I have also been there to attend the Vintage Festival and I really enjoyed myself. If you revel in old bikes, then it is like doing the motorcycle hadj to mecca...every motorcycle rider should make the trip at least once in their lifetime. If you are going to see Kawasaki's, then they are fairly thin in number at the festival...but there are plenty in the museum. Go for the races...they are very enjoyable if you know anything about vintage classes of bikes. If you ride your own motorcycle to Barber's, then sign up for the free lap (escorted, of course) on the track...just to do it. Be advised that three day's admission at the festival does NOT include admission to the museum...that is extra and also worth it and mandatory...they usually have the shop area in the basement open for tourists during the festival...the shop alone is worth drooling over, BTW.

There are activities at night (dinners, etc. auctions, etc.) and if you are a VJMC member (which I am) then VJMC also has a large presence there. The airshow was loud and enjoyable. The swap meet was moderately sized and aimed towards Brit bikes and Harleys. Some Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki stuff but almost no Kawasaki stuff. I bought nothing at the meet but was prepared to trade a child if anything excellent was found.

You must make the pilgrimage.

Mcdroid wrote: every motorcycle rider should make the trip at least once in their lifetime.

You must make the pilgrimage.

McDroid:

I really appreciate the unequivocal opinion. It sounds like a must do event.

Given that it's about 1,000 miles from Omaha I'm thinking I might drive down rather than ride. That'd give me a chance to take enough clothing for travel days plus three days at the festival.

How's the parking for both cars and motorcycles?

Well, I'm about 700 miles and it was well worth the drive, several times. There is ample parking at the Festival placed at several parking areas around the Festival. Get there early to assure yourself of a space and don't worry about driving to any of the events (some are too far to comfortably walk between, BTW). All events and venues are serviced by a frequent, free, tram service. Access to anywhere at the Festival is very well organized. Motorcycles can park anywhere they want...really! So, those who rode, can easily get anywhere they want, quickly. Those who drove cars, simply take the free tram.

My Daughter lives in Omaha. I live down in West Kentucky. It is 625 miles for me to drive to Omaha.

If you decide to go you can stop here and crash for a night to break up the trip. It would take me six hours to drive to malfunction junction in Birmingham.

I am thinking of going. I'll have to get my schedule lined out first.

I have friends that always attend this meet.

roy-b-boy-b wrote: My Daughter lives in Omaha. I live down in West Kentucky. It is 625 miles for me to drive to Omaha.

If you decide to go you can stop here and crash for a night to break up the trip. It would take me six hours to drive to malfunction junction in Birmingham.

I am thinking of going. I'll have to get my schedule lined out first.

I have friends that always attend this meet.

roy-b-boy-b:

Thanks for the offer.

I'm thinking I'm going to turn this into a week long trip though.

Day One - Omaha to St. Louis
Day Two - St. Louis to Nashville
Day Three - Nashville to Birmingham.
Day Three to Day Five - Vintage Festival in Birmingham.
Day Six - Birmingham to Memphis and Bull Shoals, AR.
Day Seven - Bull Shoals to Omaha.

A little music in Nashville and Memphis, some motorcycles in Birmingham, and a fall foliage tour through the southeast.