Every May in Carlisle, some of the rarest, exotic, and most unique vehicles converge for an international automotive flavor of sorts by way of the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals car show. This year the event takes place on May 12-13 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, and on Saturday the 13th, in addition to the automotive flavor, guests can enjoy the taste of some of central PA’s finest breweries by way of the ALL-NEW Carlisle Brew Mixer.

The inaugural brew mixer runs between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday only with a prime location centrally located on the fairgrounds and adjacent to the food court.  This location is conveniently located near both on grounds parking and the car show itself.  Best of all, it allows all attendees the opportunity to purchase a pour from the participating Carlisle Brew Mixer breweries.  In addition to the liquid excitement, those who trek to Carlisle for just the brew mixer can also enjoy some of the coolest cars from around the world.

Confirmed Carlisle Brew Mixer participants include Big Bottom Brewery, Desperate Times Brewery, Devils Eye Brewing, Market Cross Pub and Brewery, Shy Bear Brewing, Whiskers Brewing, and Wolf Brewing Company.  There are even more breweries in discussion for the fun at Carlisle, but with the confirmed roster, this first-ever event within the event is bound to become an annual standard at Carlisle.

Participation is simple, in that guests who are at Carlisle for the car show or those who specifically come for the brew mixer have access to both for the same admission costs.  Spectator parking is $10 and as noted, is available on the grounds.  Spectator admission is $12 at the gate, cheaper online in advance or in person with a military ID.  Speaking of IDs, the brew mixer is for those 21 and older.  IDs will be checked, with wristbands being issued for eligible participants. 

Each brewery will operate individually, offering full pours for a reasonable price point, while also making available merchandise specific to their business.  Further, the Carlisle Store, located in Building T, will have a Carlisle Brew Mixer t-shirt for sale which will include logos of many of the confirmed breweries.  There will also be live music from Green Tangerine between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Don’t miss their sounds as they are positioned within the brew mixer footprint, offering a nice ambiance of sorts to the fun of the day.

The brew mixer isn’t the only exciting element of the car show. There is a nice mix of food in the adjacent food court and the Showfield includes decades of cars, representing automakers from around the world. The event has always had a festival atmosphere, and the addition of the Carlisle Brew Mixer is THE perfect complement to this international automotive celebration.  Learn more about the mixer and car show today by calling 717-243-7855 or online at CarlisleEvents.com!

Friends celebrating similar interests and spending time together, that was one of the many things the late Elliot “Chip” Miller loved about the car community.  The notion that it didn’t matter what automaker you supported, that when car lovers and like-minded people come together, good things happen.  After all, even in the days before his untimely passing in 2004, he firmly believed life was indeed good!  His legacy is honored annually by way of his namesake Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation (CMAF) and the events it hosts and for 2023, an all-new event will not only benefit the foundation but bring Ford lovers together on the Friday of the largest all-Ford-themed car show in the world.

Beginning with the doors opening at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 2, and continuing with a 6 p.m. dinner at the Carlisle Expo Center (100 K. St. in Carlisle, PA), the Saleen Club of America, Steve Saleen himself, the CMAF, and Ford enthusiasts from around the world converge for a special dinner, car unveiling, and one-of-a-kind camaraderie that can’t be duplicated outside of this event.

The inaugural event not only offers participants a one-on-one chance to mix and mingle with the legendary Steve Saleen, but other Saleen-themed guests too.  Stories will be shared spanning 40 Years of Saleen, a special Saleen unveiling is planned, plus a great mix of food and drinks are on the menu, all sourced by Pepsi as well as a local Carlisle business.  Best of all, there are multiple ways to support the CMAF, both by admission to the dinner and via planned raffles and a live charity auction.  Prizes vary but will include a Carlisle Ford Nationals VIP Package, which yields a three-night hotel stay, plus National Parts Depot Showfield registration for the 2024 event.

As if the chance to mingle with a legendary name and his creations isn’t enough, consider this.  Carlisle and its surrounding towns have many great dining options, but there aren’t many opportunities for large groups, car clubs, etc. to all come together in a mixer of this size.  With that in mind, supporters of the CMAF and Carlisle Ford Nationals attendees should consider making this all-new event part of their Friday evening plans.  Dollars support a great cause too.  The cost per person is $70 through April 18 and $80 thereafter.  Tickets include the dinner menu (highlighted online) plus a special commemorative gift for each participant. 

The dinner is only one amazing portion of the Carlisle Ford Nationals.  Steve Saleen will also be part of the fun at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds June 2-4.  He’ll be there in support of the 40^th Anniversary of Saleen display.  Saleen (the organization) will have vehicle walkarounds at the stage and Steve will be available to sign autographs for showgoers.  Additional displays include SVT, Coyote powerplants, the Lightning, the Malaise Era, and more.  Call 717-243-7855 to register as a vendor or Showfield participant.  Discounted spectator admission tickets are also available online, while kids 12 and under are FREE!  Don’t delay.  Space is limited all around, so be sure to visit the Carlisle Ford Nationals portion of CarlisleEvents.com to sign up and get involved. 

Every year spanning the final days of October and the early days of November, the automotive universe converges on Las Vegas for the pinnacle event of the hobby, the Specialty Equipment Market Association show, also known as SEMA.  While SEMA isn’t “open” to the general public, it serves to showcase some of the best vehicles in the world as well as showcasing hot or new products coming onto the market.  Before many of those items end up on a retailer’s shelf, they make an east coast appearance by way of Spring Carlisle (April 19-23) at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds as part of the ARMO Hot Products Showcase.

Unlike SEMA, Spring Carlisle is open to the public and has been an annual destination event for car lovers since 1977.  One of the marquee features of the spring show is the aforementioned ARMO display, centrally positioned on the grounds near the stage.  ARMO is short for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization and is a council of SEMA itself.  ARMO directs its efforts toward preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry and annually at Spring Carlisle, offers its showcase for the nearly 100,000 guests and thousands of vendors who converge on fairgrounds for the days-long automotive spectacular.

With the showcase at Spring Carlisle, show-goers can see in person the latest and greatest products coming onto the market, and this will also serve as the first time many of these items are seen in person by retailers and consumers alike.  Best of all, the product experts are available within the ARMO display to talk person to person about each item.  Having these kinds of conversations best helps everyone understand what is being displayed and how the products can work for any vehicle, regardless of its era.

For 2023, products will also appear in an online Showcase display and guests will vote for Best New Product Awards electronically. Further, those New Product awards, a special “People’s Choice” award is reserved for only products onsite in the Showcase tent at Spring Carlisle and will be chosen only by guests onsite.

“The ARMO Hot Products showcase is the largest east coast restoration product event of the year,” said Randall Bates, Auto Custom Carpet/Chair of ARMO.  “It’s the perfect way to kick off automotive events season and view the latest and greatest in restoration parts and products,” continued Bates.  “ARMO, in conjunction with Carlisle Events, is proud and excited to host the Hot Products Showcase. Come by, walk the show, view the products, join in with the ARMO crew and see how ARMO and SEMA can help you and help the hobby we love.”

Don’t miss the ARMO Hot Products Showcase – it’s centrally located and welcoming for everyone at the event!  Learn more about ARMO and Spring Carlisle online now at CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, register to become a vendor, sell in the car corral, or purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance of the event.  Call 717-243-7855 with any questions you may have regarding the event or the display.

The cars and the people have been coming to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds since 1974 and since 1990, cars have been parading into downtown Carlisle.  First, it was the Downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade, Park, and Party, then in 2011, the Fords started rolling in with a similar event.  While the route these iconic vehicles have taken has been virtually unchanged for years, 2023 will offer a little something different as the look of downtown Carlisle continues to evolve.

JUST ANNOUNCED, the Corvette and Ford parade routes and staging will change beginning this year.  The change is due to road work and construction near the intersection of North Hanover St. and Spring Rd./Route 34.  As such, vehicles will now stage at the Carlisle Expo Center (100 K St.) and roll exclusively on Pitt St. before turning onto High St. and fanning out at the square in downtown Carlisle.  Instead of vehicles parading into town by way of Clay St. or Spring Rd./Route 34, then turning onto North Hanover St., vehicles will embark on this new route, meaning new scenery for participants and fresh views for spectators.

The new path, carefully evaluated and crafted in a combined effort by the DCA, Carlisle Events, and local authorities, still allows the community and non-participating guests alike to line the streets of downtown Carlisle and enjoy the parade.  That means that while the cars will be coming from a different direction, the chance to shop and dine in downtown Carlisle remains unchanged.  Better yet, this new route allows those who line up along High St. between Pitt and the town square to have an all-new opportunity to see the full parade, including the front of the special VIP/front of the pack cars and special guests.  Historically, this parade segment would travel exclusively on North Hanover St.  

“The Downtown Carlisle Association routinely partners with Carlisle Events to host the Park & Party parades during the Ford Nationals and Corvettes at Carlisle shows,” noted DCA Director Stacey Gould.  “For 2023, to continue with this tradition, we needed to identify an alternate course to bypass the planned construction of the new roundabout on North Hanover Street, slated to begin this summer,” continued Gould.  “Optimistically, we believe the revised route maximizes the benefits of efficient parking and safety for everyone involved. The amended plan reduces the number of street closures, specifically the state highways, which directly impacts the traffic flow through the downtown. The direct route also offers an improved experience for parade participants and spectators.”

Registration for both parades is currently available by way of CarlisleEvents.com on the Carlisle Ford Nationals or Corvettes at Carlisle web pages.  In addition, complete details about both car shows as well as every other event on the 2023 Carlisle Events schedule can be found online too.  In addition, car show registration, vendor sign-ups, discounted spectator admission tickets, gift cards, and more are all just a click away within the Carlisle Events web store or by calling 717-243-7855.

New Parade Route Map - Click Here