Central Florida is home to many great entertainment options.  This includes family fun hot spots such as Lego Land, Sea World and Magic Kingdom just to name a few.  There’s also a bevy of non-theme park related fun such as boating, fishing, nightlife and plenty of car/automotive themed activities.  One such car event, Winter AutoFest, is held annually at the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland each February. 

The event, powered by Pennsylvania based automotive promoter Carlisle Events, has taken place in Lakeland since 2013 and has grown exponentially since its inception.  The three-day offering includes a quintet of car show options, an automotive flea market and two-day classic and collector car auction.   Following a best-ever 2020 offering the Carlisle Events team was eager to return to Lakeland, February 19-21, 2021 for Winter AutoFest, however; the Coronavirus had other plans.

As with many aspects of the past 8+ months, Carlisle Events and Winter AutoFest 2021 have fallen victim to Coronavirus.  Because of ongoing COVID related concerns, the planned 2021 event has been canceled for 2021 ONLY!  The event as it’s been known and recognized for the past few years WILL RETURN IN FULL in 2022, running February 25-27. 

While Winter AutoFest has been put in the garage for an extended period of time, there are two aspects of the weekend that will continue.  First and foremost, the auction element of the event will be happening at the facility during its originally planned dates.  Carlisle Auctions, the sister company of Carlisle Events, will move forward with its two-day classic and collector car auction, Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction.  This socially distant event takes place on the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus grounds, within a trio of spacious hangers February 19-20.  Start time is 10:30 a.m. daily and interested parties can bid and buy THREE great ways, in person, online and on the phone. More details on this event will be shared in the coming days via a separate news release.

Feature two is the annual Air & Coach Concours.  This gathering of luxury motorcoaches has become a popular destination for those who enjoy the motorcoach lifestyle.  The $299 participation cost includes three overnights at the spacious SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, TWO bidder’s passes for the auction, plus four coupons, power hook ups and more. 

For complete details on the 2021 Carlisle Events, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.  Enthusiasts interested in auction specific information should visit CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400. 

2021 marks the 40^th iteration of Corvettes at Carlisle.  This event, presented by Top Flight Automotive, was the FIRST brand/car specific event on the annual Carlisle Events schedule and dates back to 1982 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  From August 26-28, every generation of Corvette comes to Carlisle and with a special spotlight on those from 1971, so does a special partnership for the display itself.

Carlisle Events is pleased to welcome, beginning in 2021, the C3 Vette Registry.  The C3 Vette Registry will be the featured sponsor of the 50-year/1971 Corvette display and will have a presence on-site (under the grandstand) during the event as a means to promote and interact with C3 Corvette owners.  Recognized as THE best resource on the net for the third generation Corvettes, their web page (C3VR.com) sees thousands of monthly page visits, not just from 3^rd-Gen owners, but Corvette lovers of all generations. 

While Carlisle Events might bring cars and people together, the C3 Vette Registry serves as a means for C3 owners from all walks of life to interact, mix and mingle.  The registry also aims to help every C3 owner get the absolute best out of their beloved Corvette.  In fact, getting involved with the C3 Vette Registry is quite simple.  Born from a conversation between two friends in 2001, the registry just celebrated its 19^th year of serving Corvette lovers.  Interested parties can visit the registry online and learn about the various levels of registry membership, ranging from basic to lifetime.  Best of all, the basic membership level is FREE.

“C3 Vette Registry is happy to sponsor the 1971 Corvette display at Corvettes at Carlisle 2021,” noted registry founder Adam Wartell.  “Since we are all about celebrating the longest running generation of Corvette models (the C3), we hope to make even more C3 owners aware of our club so we can help them enjoy their C3 as we already have with thousands of C3 owners since we were founded in 2001.”

The display will be located just off Dukes Blvd. and consist of 20 of the best from 1971.  While the ’71 display presented by the C3 Vette Registry is limited in capacity, even more 1971 Corvettes will adorn the Fun Field.  Links and details for how to apply for the display and/or register for the Fun Field are available at http://CarlisleEvents.com.   

“We’re excited to have the C3 Corvette Registry partner with us for the 50th Anniversary display during Corvettes at Carlisle in 2021,” noted Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events.  “Adam Wartell, C3 Vette Registry Founder, is no stranger to the event and we’re excited to have them become an intricate part of the event,” continued Miller.  “If you’ve got a C3, be sure to become a member. We’re happy to have them.”

Finally, Carlisle Events and the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds remain COVID compliant and plan to offer detailed health safety measures at all 2021 events.  Complete details on the COVID plan, specifics on how to secure a vending or car corral space, register for the ’71 display, the Fun Field, links to purchase spectator tickets and more can be found at the aforementioned Carlisle Events web page or by calling 717-243-7855.

Carlisle Events has officially backed the annual Auto Mania event in Allentown, Pennsylvania since 2014, with the event itself calling the Allentown Fairgrounds home since 1990.  For 2021 ONLY, the event will take place at the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and WILL return to Allentown in 2022. 

Running January 15-17, 2021, Auto Mania offers buyers and sellers alike a chance to shop indoors (in a heated setting) for automotive pieces, parts, merchandise and collectibles.  This is a great way to further in progress projects and/or start a new as the calendar flips from December to January and car hobbyists begin those winter projects. 

Besides the new, temporary location that’s 99 miles and two highways from “home,” Auto Mania will see some added changes during these unique times.  While the Carlisle Expo Center is quite spacious, its overall footprint is smaller than that of the Agri-Plex building in Allentown.  Carlisle Events does expect Auto Mania 2021 to be sold out, even with a reduced capacity.  Vendors will be positioned indoors and outside space (weather permitting) will be available too.  Outside space will also allow for cars to be sold via a car corral.  Here, buyer and seller can work direct to make a deal on cars spanning decades of production. 

Further, it’s anticipated that 150 vending spaces will be available for the three-day offering.  Another new feature for the 2021 offering is that spectators can now purchase tickets two different ways, in-person as they normally do OR online and in advance of the event.  In all, Auto Mania offers new products for sale, memorabilia, tires, car parts, collectibles, car care products, tools, vintage automobilia, vintage advertising and more.

Ample parking is available on the street sides leading up to the Carlisle Expo Center and just a few blocks east of the building is the spacious Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  Parking will be FREE per car, while spectator tickets are $10 when purchased at the door, $9 when buying online.  Event hours vary (Friday/12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday/9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday/9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Finally, Carlisle Events and the Carlisle Expo Center remain COVID compliant and offer detailed health safety measures at the venue.  Complete details on the COVID plan can be found at http://CarlisleExpoCenter.com.  Once indoors, guests will find restrooms and a wide open event that aims to fill the automotive void created by the cold, dark winter months.  As food options go, Marcello's, a Carlisle based eatery will have options available for their stand within the Expo Center.  

Complete details about this ONE-TIME move, specifics on how to secure a vending or car corral space, links to purchase spectator tickets and more can be found at http://CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Great weather goes a long way when having an outdoor automotive event…a long way.  In a year like no other, Carlisle Events welcomed a passionate group of buyers and sellers to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for Fall Carlisle and “off the charts” weather was on the menu all five days.  From Wednesday, September 30 to Sunday, October 4 mother nature gave everyone something to remember.  The visuals weren’t just spectacular, the event itself was too.  Needless to say, those who were able to be part of Fall Carlisle 2020 went home happy. 

One of the coolest features about an event like Fall Carlisle is that those who come to sell, arrive early…like really early.  A lot of times, vendors and midway partners are coming to Carlisle upwards of one week prior to the event.  This offers ample time to unload, set up and showcase their wares.  It also allows everyone who comes to sell a chance to peruse the grounds and do some pre-event wheeling and dealing to boost inventory from or mix and mingle with their fellow vendors.

An event like Fall Carlisle is all about selling, either within the automotive flea market, midway or as part of the car corral, but for 2020, Fall Carlisle took on some added special features.  At Fall Carlisle 2020, the spotlight shined on “Anymotive vending” and the AACA car club.  Anymotive is a fun phrase coined to call out the vendors and their stuff that might not be car themed but still powered by an engine.  This includes (and was seen/sold at the event) items like lawn mowers, coolers, generators, weed whackers, power washers and more.  These vendors have always been part of the automotive flea market, but for 2020, their stuff meant even more to those who were buying or selling.   

For the AACA car club, 2020 meant a major hurdle to club promotion and participation.  Their Fall Hershey meet was canceled as were many other key events for the club, but with Fall Carlisle happening, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and the main stage made for a perfect spot for them to showcase some cool vintage cars, motorcycles and promote their 2021 event in Chocolate Town, USA!  In addition to their cool cars and recruiting efforts, there were many AACA vendors peppered in and around the automotive flea market too, meaning more pre-war pieces, parts, merchandise and collectibles for sale.

Something else that made Fall Carlisle 2020 so special was the fact that people who came to Carlisle to sell were motivated to do so, while those looking to buy were also eager to spend.  This was true within the car corral, the automotive flea market, midway AND the adjacent two-day classic and collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Folks were also in a giving mood at this and all events on the Carlisle schedule, as donation tins and bins were set up with offerings benefiting Project SHARE and the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County respectively.  Project SHARE’s vision is ‘Nourishing Our Community…Awakening Hope,’ while United Way’s donations go directly to local non-profit organizations in the Carlisle community that were impacted by COVID-19.

While 2020 is a wrap, 2021 is already in the planning stages.  Fall Carlisle 2021 runs September 29-October 3 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  In addition, the two-day auction returns too, spanning September 30-October 1 at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Learn more at www.CarlisleEvents.com.

When Carlisle Auctions last offered an event it was in February and things as we knew it then were fairly normal.  Little did anyone know, it would be more than seven months between events with some first-ever cancelations mixed in.  Since knowledge is power, those seven months were used to learn, monitor and strategize ways to best host an in-person auction.  Backed by industry support, a solid set of health/safety guidelines and a hungry core of bidders and sellers, Carlisle Auctions successfully hosted and executed its two-day Fall Carlisle auction (October 1 & 2) at the Carlisle Expo Center. 

Powered by two great partners, the AACA Museum, Inc. and Classic Auto Mall, over 400 lots of all eras or production crossed the block.  More than ever before, dozens of pre-war consignments were available, with many selling.  Also highly sought after were muscle cars both past and present.  Carlisle Auctions even ran a nice mix of modern rides, including the top seller, a 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Midwest Automotive Design Passage Van.

Another great feature of the Fall Carlisle auction was an all-truck hour on October 1 at around 5 p.m.  While the top four don’t include any of the more than two dozen trucks that crossed the block, it was a widely popular feature that will absolutely return to a future event.  The top selling truck of the group ended up being a 1947 Kaiser Street Rod truck at $55,100.  This truck came to Carlisle Auctions via the partnership with the AACA Museum, Inc.

As noted in the headline, the sell through rate and dollars generated were a stunning result for the Carlisle Auctions team given world events and more than anything, a testament to their efforts and the passion of those who participated in the auction.  63% of all consignments sold, with $4.4 million in total sales.  Sales totals do include all buyers and sellers fees. 

Top 4 at Fall Carlisle 2020:

1. 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Midwest Automotive Design Passage Van - $91,000
2. 1970 Buick GSX - $80,250
3. 1967 Nova SS - $65,000
4. 2012 Bentley Continental Flying S - $63,600

While those are the top four selling lots, there are many more vehicles still available via the Classic Auto Mall still for sale showroom.  Full results for the auction are available at http://CarlisleAuctions.com.  In addition, vehicles that are still for sale will be available online for a few weeks following the event and noted by a special graphic within the listing.  Finally, while the Fall 2020 auction has concluded, the Carlisle Auctions team is already prepping for 2021.  At this time, the first scheduled auction is February 19-20 in Lakeland, Florida as part of Winter AutoFest.  Following that event, the auction team returns to action in Pennsylvania as part of Spring Carlisle 2021.  The spring auction is April 22-23.