Barber Vintage Festival, B'ham, Al 10/12-14...... - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums

mark444 · #1 09-17-2012, 12:40 PM

Barber had its largest crowd ever at last year's event........the weather in 2011 (as well as most previous years) was spectacular.......highs in the low 70's and coolish at night (high 40's-50's if you are a camper). I have a Swap Meet Space there (space #H-30) with plenty of shade, a cooler, grill, and chairs for any stromtrooper who wants to come by and take a load off. Check out the link below for events:

Barber : Home

The Ace Cafe was KOOL last year.......some very detailed and intricate machinery on display. Jerry Wood and Company will be there a "new" type of Vintage Bike auction......I believe it uses "sealed bids" instead of a live auction format.....we'll have to see?? There is something "going on" during the whole 3-day weekend......Vintage Racing (roadracing, sidecars, MX, Trials and Hare Scrambles), vendor displays, the swap meet, vintage bike shows scattered about, and perhaps even some Demo Rides (TBD). The grounds are maintained like a Country Club and there are "Trams" cicrling the perimeter road around the track all hours of the day........free for spectators to get from one end of the park to the other. The Museum is world-class with over 800 bikes on display, covering 5 floors......and old George even opens up the normally-closed ground floor during this event so you can see first hand where all the restoration takes place. Barber employees are allowed to take vintage classics for a ride around the perimater road during the weekend so you can see, as well as hear, feel and smell, these classics in action!! Airshow again this year on Sat/Sun during the lunchbreak......4 planes flying in tight formations. If you have any questions about the event, hollar at me via a PM and I'll try to help. I believe the camping areas are already sold out but there are a few campgrounds within a 20 mile radius of the park.
Oak Mtn State Park
Cheaha State Park
Courtyard 25 Motorcycle Campground, Vandiver, Alabama
Talladega National Forrest
Lake Logan Martin near Pell City.....I'm sure there is camping somewhere around the lake?

The VJMC puts on great shows during the weekend there:
http://www.vjmc.org/calendar.shtml

The Jerry Wood and Company Bike Market/semi-Auction (see a few of the bikes that will be for sale):
http://www.jwoodandcompany.com/

If you have never been to Barber's Park, ask someone (besides me!!) who has.........the Festival is a once-a-year event that keeps growing, maybe surpassing Mid-Ohio Vintage Days in terms of events and racing.
Hope to see ya there!!
mark444

LesHeight · #2 09-19-2012, 11:09 AM

I'll be riding up with a group from Orlando on Thursday the 11th. I think there will be at least one other Vstromer in the group. I'll try to look you up at your swap meet space. I'm looking forward to the trip and a weekend of vintage bikes and bikers.

cbeam2 · #3 09-19-2012, 11:25 AM

I will look you up as well if I'm able to make it.

Chuck

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mark444 · #4 09-19-2012, 11:44 AM

Looking forward to meeting you guys. Be aware..........ALL camping spots inside the complex are taken if you have not already Reserved one........NO vacancy, according to their website. Also, not sure if anyone besides Racers & Vendors can enter the Park on Thursday.........the Museum will be open to the General Public on Thursday, just have to pay the Museum admission price........with Thursday probably being the best day to go to the museum. Friday thru Sunday will be "packed". Bring a folding chair if it will fit on the bike, as there are no "bleachers" to speak of to watch the races.....just grassy knolls and shady woods to pitch a blanket/chair. The Pit complex does have a second-story (or is it third??) viewing area open to the public where you can see most of the track, but not all.........overlooks the front straight.
I understand they might be charging a separate admission price for the Ace Cafe Area this year, which sucks........it was Free last year, and interesting.

BTW, there is a Bass Pro Shop nextdoor to the Barber Complex ifin you want to kill some time. If you have never been in one (Bass Pro Shop), it's like the Disneyworld of Sports Outdoors!! You can spend 1-3 hrs in there looking at everything.........and they sell Frogg Toggs + Garmin accessories.

Dketchum · #5 09-19-2012, 05:11 PM

I will be attending for the first time this year..Will be riding my Wee Strom out from San Antonio..have a camping spot reserved in Lot C and have purchased passes to the ace cafe area.

Leaving the 10th and arriving the 11th.

Looking forward to it!

cbeam2 · #6 09-19-2012, 07:21 PM

Anyone going from Birmingham area? I would like to meet some local troopers.

Chuck

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mark444 · #7 09-19-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbeam2

Anyone going from Birmingham area? I would like to meet some local troopers.
Chuck

Chuck, I'll be there at the Swap Meet all 4 days.........Space #H-30......with the 10'x20' silver canopy. I'll have a grill, ice chest, munchies, chairs, a massage table, a wave pool.........oops, wait, that was last year. Just bring yerself by there (Space H-30) and set a spell.
I'm hoping to see the following Stromtroopers there (not already posted here):
Fire Fox
Les Height
Kenneth Moore (tentative.......you KNOW you want to be there Ken!!)
Nick77 (Decatur....maybe not a member, but rides a nice DL1000)
Hoping to add to the list before then........

If anyone has any questions concerning the event, surrounding areas, food joints, roads, etc.........just PM me and ask. And, I'll try to have my truck/utility trailer available AFTER Sunday should one of you out-of-towners have catastrophic strom failure of any kind.....we'll get you back home somehow.

Stromin'Nroman · #8 09-19-2012, 08:56 PM

If the planets align...........................?

john sarver · #9 09-21-2012, 09:36 PM

S/N that the same excuse you used for the Ohio BBB! Mark I'll be down there, and I'll look you up---------John

mark444 · #10 10-01-2012, 11:12 AM

Week and half.........and counting. Nick77 will have some very NICE bikes at my place to sell: Honda GB500 and a ZRX1200....plus a few Zuma scooters. I'm bringing an FT500 Ascot, Yami Vino 50, and KE100 Kawi to sell.......plus mucho apparel/helmets/stickers/mag's/misc schtuff to keep the crowds interested!!

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