I found this on a Facebook cruise night page. Sad news for New England car fanatics. I've gone to this every year since I was 15 and the town fathers have finally got their way.
I understand the health issues being problematic but am curious what the restrictions were that the town placed on the meet.
It's an outdoor music venue that's been open since the late 80's and hosts concerts from May until October. This two day event has been held there since the early 90's and over the last few years, the town managers have tried very hard to nix the event - even upping the amount of police details (that the club most likely pays for) thereby forcing the club to double the cost of swap meet booth spots. They also cite campfires at night (by people who drive a substantial distance in campers) as one of the reasons and also public drinking. I'd be willing to place a hefty wager on the fact that they have more incidents during any of many concerts than this two day event. It's just a sad power play by a town that really doesn't even want the concert venue any more.
I bet they now have thrown an insurance requirement in the mix too. I'm seeing a lot of "farmers market" type events that demand a certificate of insurance in order to vend. I understand being responsible and such, but sometimes they take it too far.
I'm trying to reach out to the club organizers because I've potentially found a better venue in a different town that's in a much better location. Still waiting to hear back.
I couldn't get over the police presence last time. Paddywagons and everything. You'd have thought it was an outlaw biker festival. that's the best thing to do. move location. way I heard it Mansfield has been a fight each year for awhile.
A couple of years ago Mansfield tried to charge the flea market promoters $25,000 for police details for the event. Mansfield doesn't want it in their town.
Nope. I'm convinced they don't want the venue period. I worked at the former greyhound track in Raynham for a long time and reached out to one of the owners. He's on board but I still need to contact the organizers and feel them out.
Combined with aging club members who've basically had enough of the town brow beating them at every corner, I'm not surprised they're pulling the plug. I spoke to a member last night and that's essentially what he told me. He also suggested I attend a club meeting next month and pitch my new venue idea. Somehow I think I'm going to be knee deep in this very soon and don't know thing one about running an event of this magnitude.
If you worked for the Raynham dog track you probably know my sister-in-law, Kathie. She's been there forever.
Property values go up and fun stuff gets shut down. Just the way it is. Drag Strips, shooting ranges etc. The snob effect.
