I had a friend inform me today that there will be a $10.00 charge for the public to come to the car show this year. In my opinion thats a shame, I have many friends come out every year just to drop in a chat and see some cool cars, I am afraid many of them wouldn't pay $10.00 just to drop by for a look. In fact its a great opportunity for the non-owner to get a taste of Italian cars, perhaps becoming an enthusiast. I myself met Tillman and sat in his car three years ago before I owned a Ferrari and was with a group of 7 men and women that wouldn't of paid $70.00 for the guys to drool at some cars... Anyway I understand revenue has to be generated, I would rather pay more to enter a car and keep it free to the public, but thats me..
I'm with you Jason. I've told many people about the show in the past, and quite a few of them attended and enjoyed themselves. Most of them wouldn't go if they had to pay. I believe the 'official' line is that they want to make a larger donation to their charitable cause, but that sounds like spin to me. I'd guess the real reason has more to do with financial gains (or losses as the case may be). I'll still attend, but the event has lost some of it's original spirit.
+1 on both of those statements, and I've said as much to the organizers. I think the show is great, and I like the folks at ICCSW, but I won't be directing my coworkers and non-car friends to the show this year.
Admission will be $10 per person, with children under 12 free. Yes, our primary goal in adding an admission fee is to be able to make a sizable donation to our charity, Make-A-Wish. It is expensive to organize this show (reception, tents, hospitality boat and much more), so it will help the budget as well. But without our sponsors, it wouldn't be possible at all. Our goal is to continue to grow the show. We also hope to draw in more unusual, out-of-state cars. I personally enjoy seeing the wide variety, especially things like the 1935 Fiat and the 1930 Alfa from last year. We don't want to drastically increase show registration fees, because we believe we would start to lose entrants. Our goal is to be an inclusive, all-Italian show, from Fiat 500s to Ferrari supercars. It is tough to make everyone happy. Some people would prefer if there were not nearly as many spectators (particularly kids). They would probably like a higher admission fee, but thats not where we want to go with the show. I hope everyone will continue to bring their cars. And we hope visitors will continue to come out to look at the wide variety of beautiful Italian machinery. Two improvements this year are a new food vendor (Italian sausage sandwiches, etc.) and a Wine Pavilion where you can sample and purchase wine from local Grapevine wineries.
Well, I think too many folks are wrapped up in the 'car' thing. There's gonna be a lot of folks that typically come out with the intention of making a day of it and spending some $$ at the concessions, and this time, they'll drive up and see the entrance fee sign and turn around and walk back to the car. Then go right up the road to the lake(free), or out to a movie, or back home to watch the races or football.
Well, you could be right. Time will tell. But here is what I do know: For those who appreciate great Italian cars, motorcycles and scooters, there are few places they can go to see them gathered in a terrific setting like Oak Grove Park. And with the addition of the wine pavilion they will have something more to do. Visitors can now enjoy wine in the shade of a canopy as they admire Italian cars on turf with the lake in the background. And, if so inclined, they can meet our Honored Guest from Automobili Lamborghini. Registrations are well ahead of last year and we expect to set a record for the numbers of entrants and visitors. Please encourage your friends to come out. They will not be disappointed. -Jerry Lee Phillips 817 521-4400
The registration fees are high enough. So please, raise the $$ someway else. Tent space, a night at the gaylord and misc. expenses comes to around $550.00. That's too much for a couple of days in Texas. IMO.
It is a bit disappointing to hear, but I don't think $10 will turn me away as I spend at least 2 hours there. Of course, with folks who come with more than 1 friend, may not like it.
How many ticket entries does each car entry get? 2? I know in past each car entry received about 10 invitations to hand out.
It was a bit of a surprise to me due to the fact I mentioned the event to a couple of exotic car fans at my work. At least I didn't mention anything of it being a free event this year, I don't want any flak for assuming that it was. Time will tell if some of them will show but that depends on their dedication.
Hi, Rob- Registration includes access for the owner of a car or two-wheeler and their one guest to: ...Friday's Reception (complimentary drinks) ......Saturday's show ..........The Lonestar Lady (complimentary drinks) It does not include tickets for visitors to get into the show. Parking is free this year. We are no longer providing invitations to entrants as in the past to prevent any confusion since there is an entry fee for visitors. Information about the entry fee, which is common among all first class shows- has been posted at the ICF website, is noted on all flyers, all press releases and will be posted on signage for entrants as they drive to the show field. Please note that ItalianCarFest is one of the most elegant car shows in the US and is organized by a non-profit, the ICCS, as opposed to a for-profit promoter. It has been the policy of the ICCS since the first ICF in ’03 to give to charity the extra funds generated. This year, Make-A-Wish will be the prime benefactor. As a member of many clubs over the years, I can assure you this generousity is extraordinary. Further, none of the persons on the ICF show committee are paid, but they certainly put in many hours in the effort to organize the greatest all-Italian car show east of California. I do not think visitors will begrudge an admission fee that helps those less fortunate. One other note, when the Houston Chapter of the FCA requested an item to be auctioned for charity at the FCA Regional in 2006, without hesitation the ICCS offered a Prize Package. The package cost the ICCS several hundred dollars. We applauded the Houston chapter’s generosity by participating. -Jerry 817 521-4400
Are you planning to put a fence all the way around the event this year? I sure would not want to be the guy/girl working the gate this year. JJB
They have cops, but if the cop can't stop someone driving off obviously drunk and about running people over I'm not addressing this to ICF at all, just the cops that get paid for what they think is an easy gig and they try to ignore anything messy or would require paperwork.
Rather than an ugly fence, we will mark the perimeter with ropes or ribbons. Part of the perimeter is a natural tree line. Make-A-Wish volunteers will be spaced around the perimeter to guide visitors to the entrances. We do have a uniformed, armed officer on site for security. But as Rob said, they will probably make their own calls as to what is an "offense".
I agree, it's too bad it's not free. I was able to bring a few people out last year whose kids got to see Ferraris for the first time... I may not have called them and invited if they'd had to pay a cover charge.
Maybe instead of the hard ticket line, if it was a donation request one might be more receptive. Besides, isn't this in a public park?
Yes, Oak Grove Park is a City of Grapevine park. We have paid to rent Trawick Pavilion for Saturday's show. The city is very aware of the details of the show, as we work closely with the Parks & Recreation department and the Convention & Visitors Bureau. I believe the city's goal is the same as ours: to have a top-class weekend of events centered around Italian cars, with entrants and visitors from all over the metroplex, Texas and out-of-state as well.
Well... it's a tough call... either way. I have heard, via this board, opinions for both sides of the argument. Here's my two cent: From a marketing perspective, the more something costs, the more valuable it is. If something is free, it must be worth nothing. Now, that is pure marketing theory, not the real world. However, the real world tends to peek into our own worlds from time to time and we find ourselves required to respond. Personally, I believe the $10 fee will do two things: 1) Keep some people from coming through the gates that would have otherwise wandered through 2) Keep some people that paid the $10 fee from leaving too quickly. They want to get their money's worth. Anything else is purely speculation... wait... everything I just said is purely speculation... wtf... I'm gonna go and see how things roll. T
I think ICF is shooting for the likes of CI. For those that haven't been to CI, it is an unbelievable event. Where else can you see thousands of Italian cars in one place. It is a huge social event as long lost and internet friends get together in person once a year. Are there entry fees? Yes, expensive too. Is it commercial? Yes, companies and ads everywhere. CI is owned by individuals that do it for the love of the cars, but also profit. ICF no doubt has the love of the cars, not sure what all that profit will fund. I think the answer is charity. Anyway, offer your opinions to the organizers, but they aren't worthy of an attack. ICF is simply a different type of show that many aren't use to around here. Its not free walk-up and its not $20. I personally love ICF and hope to see it grow into a Southwest CI. There are plenty of other $20 shows through the year, something going for a little more is nice. I hope they succeed.
Do you think it's the high cost of Ferrari parts that makes the owners so darn CHEAP on everything else??? LOL! *munching Taco Bell* All they can do is run it up the flag pole and see who salutes...........it's like when the State of Texas decided to jack the cost of personalized plates from $40 to $75, thinking "no Big Deal, we'll make more money.." But they got ALS BRD, ALS MRC and all my other ones back! So they reverted to the $40 fee, and I still don't order them.....negative net gain! Best wishes to the show, enjoy and have a good time...Make A Wish does great things for those poor kiddoes......
sorry, maybe just a gang bang of feedback, nothing individual. easy for everyone to jump in with the crowd criticism and I wanted to offer another perspective this isn't the typical show.
Maybe the "thumbs down" symbol in the thread heading?? We can change it to read: "AWESOME show of Italian Cars for ONLY ten bucks!!!" and that'll spin it.....LOL! What's that, about 2.75 gallons of gas, these days???
As a past sponsor and from a potential future sponsors point of view I think that the admission fee is a great idea, I hope ICF can grow to the point of deserving admission fees of $100 plus - thats what you will spend at the Concorso to get in. Free is always great but from a sponsors point of view it is better to know that the guy or gal in your booth is a real car enthusiast and not just someone wandering through. If you want a 'destination' car-show that will grow into something substantial then go out and pay the money for a great day. It seems unlikely to me that the ICF will ever be able to draw the caliber of cars from outside the local area that will make the show grow into something special unless its attendance consists of true Italian car enthusiast - IMVHO.
