Car show in North Reading for charity...ideas? | FerrariChat
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Car show in North Reading for charity...ideas?

Discussion in 'New England' started by Birdman, Dec 20, 2004.

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  1. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    #1 Birdman, Dec 20, 2004
    Hi Everyone,
    I'm thinking of putting together a "cool car" show in North Reading this spring or summer. I'm looking for marketing ideas and trying to get an idea if people would be interested.

    A little background...

    In my neighborhood we have a park for the kids on a pond, with a little beach and swings, volleyball, basketball, slides, jungle gyms, etc. I'm a member of a local neighborhood organization of volunteers that puts on events (a haunted playground at Halloween, for example) to raise money to maintain the park. We get almost no money from the town. This park is very popular with families from all over the area because it is clean, safe and kid friendly. But it takes the hard work and volunteer efforts of a lot of people in our neighborhood to maintain it and buy new things.

    I threw out the idea at a meeting of having a "cool car" show to raise money for the park. The idea is that people who have cool cars will pay a small fee ($10? $5?) as a donation and people who come to see the cars will pay a small fee too. Hopefully, we can raise a little money and have a good time. The park volunteers would have their usual food for sale, music, etc.

    My idea for "cool cars" is that I don't want to be too specific about what kinds of cars can come (i.e. exotics, classics, muscle, etc.) If it's COOL, then bring it! (Minivans are not cool unless they have 400+ HP).

    If we put something on like this, would you Fchatters be willing to bring the horsies and show the kids your COOL CARS as well as maybe help spread the word a little? The park is a nice place for a car show...right by a pond, and plenty for the little kids to do with playground equipment, etc. It's kind of a "bring the whole family" kind of deal.

    What say you? Any ideas where/how to spread the word?

    Birdman
     
  2. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    #2 spider348, Dec 20, 2004
    Birdman I will be there, with the 348 spider. Good start with this post. Contact other members of local car club chapters. The Corvette club, Porsche Club of America are quite large and active in NE. I think they may still hold a cruise night near Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers(Wednesdays?). Lots of American Muscle cars, they might be interested. Good Luck! John
     
  3. BigHead

    BigHead Formula Junior

    Oct 31, 2003
    995
    Outside of Boston
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    #3 BigHead, Dec 20, 2004
    Excellent idea, and great cause. How much are you looking to raise? Try and keep expectations low, and the event low-key; everyone will have a good time, you won't die of stress, and you'll raise a few bucks! Be cautious of scheduling. I'm putting together my calendar for 2005, and pretty much every single weekend in May and June is already booked with something Ferrari-related. July and August (especially) is quieter.

    My suggestion - have it be open to all-comers, have it be casual. Charge $30-35/car, but toss in all the hot dogs and burgers they want to eat (it's amazing how a few free $0.50 hot dogs will make us happy). I think you'll be better off not charging admission, as it's a pain to police and handle and doesn't generate much revenue anyway. Better to arrange for some vendors, and charge THEM a fee (flat or %); the more people show up for the show, the more they (and you) earn. Maybe hit up some local merchants for a few bucks for "sponsorship", promise them that you'll get the local paper to cover it.

    The key is "community" - make it all about North Reading and/or surrounding area, and you'll get a better response.

    Just my $.02!

    vty,

    --Dennis
     
  4. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    #4 Birdman, Dec 20, 2004
    Dennis,
    All excellent ideas! Thanks! So you think we should schedule for late summer? Can you suggest a day that your current calendar says is clear still? I definitely don't want to interfere with Ferrari events!

    Our expectations are not high. For all the work we do on the other events (which is quite a lot) it's rare to make more than about $2,000.

    Best,
    Jonathan
     
  5. Tom S

    Tom S Formula Junior

    Jan 2, 2003
    295
    Northeast
    Full Name:
    Thomas Saupe
    #5 Tom S, Dec 20, 2004
    Jonathan,


    I've had the 328 at a few of the local car show/cruise events and found tha the best advertising is going to them and leaving flyers directly with the owners. That way you get to be selective and get the word around. Perhaps hitting some local merchants up for a few cheap trophys and having the usual "people's choice, "best this or that" awards can help bring a few cars as well. BTW, We'll be there if at all possible.

    Tom
     

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