Every Carlisle Events show page has a “what’s fresh” activity listing.  This is done to indicate the new and fresh happenings for each of the 10 shows in the Carlisle Events season schedule.  For 2019, the events aren’t the only thing sporting something fresh, as Carlisle Events is pleased to announce some changes to its staffing structure as well as its concession options.

The biggest staffing change at Carlisle comes in the form of Scott Amig being named General Manager & Operations Manager of Carlisle Events.  Scott has been with Carlisle Events since 2011 and much like every other staffer in the office, he wears and has worn many hats.  He’s been a building manager, an event manager, still oversees the maintenance and facilities team and now, with years of leadership experience under his belt, will also direct day to day operations on behalf of Bill Miller, Jr. and Lance Miller.

Additional management level changes include Ed Scholly being tapped as Director of Event Development and Associate Sponsorship Development.  Scholly has been with Carlisle Events since 2000, working as an event manager for the former Carlisle Bike Fest, York Open House and numerous other past events as well as his current role in the regionally popular Carlisle Truck Nationals.  In addition, his role with sponsorship development aides in securing high-end industry leaders as part of the Manufactures Midway not only at the truck show, but at all events on the Carlisle schedule.  For 2019, Scholly will also oversee each event manager, while continuing to work hand in hand with the marketing team to assure that all aspects of the event, from promotion to execution run smoothly.

One other management role that changed for 2019 is that Tami DeMark is the new Director of Customer Relations.  DeMark has transitioned into this roll following the retirement of long-time Carlisle Events staffer Diane Vaughn.  In addition, DeMark also oversees bookings, logistics and overall management of the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center. 

Speaking of events, two staffers have seen increased event planning roles for this season.  Ed Buczeskie, who historically has been the event manager for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals and Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals adds Spring and Fall Carlisle to his resume as well as being the one to oversee the Hurst Showcase which happens in conjunction with the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  Down the hall and around the corner from Buczeskie is Jodi Morrison.  Jodi was hired in 2011 and over the past eight seasons has transitioned from just the Assistant to Ownership to the Executive Assistant, Concessions Manager as well as the event manager for Corvettes at Carlisle and Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, Florida.

Finally on the staffing front, Carlisle Events will be naming a new Director of Marketing in the near future.  This position, once filled, will oversee all marketing efforts for the company and its events.  The position will also oversee a staff of four who bring more than 30 years of combined service to the table. 

Staff changes aren’t the only thing fresh for Carlisle Events in 2019.  Through the efforts of Jodi Morrison, yet another 501c group is joining the already impressive list of vendors in the concession area.  The Big Spring High School Band Boosters join groups like the Boy Scouts, Carlisle High School Band and Carlisle High School Football as local non-profits who earn support via the car community each summer.  This connection, plus other local businesses like Horner’s Corner BBQ, Marcellos Ristorante & Pizzeria, Brusters Ice Cream, Market Cross Pub and Desperate Times Brewery continue to spotlight Carlisle Events’ desire to do business locally first, helping a community that’s helped us since 1974! 

All the fun starts with Spring Carlisle on April 24 and continues through the final day of Fall Carlisle on October 6.  Complete details about the season can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855. 

A staple of the Carlisle Truck Nationals, presented by A&A Auto Stores is monster truck action!  Annually, a pair of trucks, plus some additional thrill-based action comes to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and offers guests edge of their seat excitement.  Those trucks and whatever is accompanying them, join forces with the Virginia Giant ride truck to give Truck Nationals guests the thrill of a lifetime.  In 2019, the fun includes Over Bored, Miss Over Bored and Transaurus.  

The show itself starts early on Friday, August 2, with Monster truck shows taking place Friday, twice Saturday and once more Sunday.  Hosted by Diehl Wilson, owner of the on-site Virginia Giant ride truck, Over Bored and Miss Over Bored will square off to the delight of enthusiasts of all ages.  Since year one of the truck show in 1991, trucks have been THE form of entertainment and with these monster truck shows, event excitement is taken to a whole new level.  So…let’s meet the participants!

Over Bored & Miss Over Bored:  Monster Jam trucks Over Bored and Miss Over Bored come to Carlisle for the first time ever.  These mid-western based trucks are a husband and wife team.  Their time at Carlisle is either entertainment for guests or matrimonial bragging rights for them…not sure which yet.  

Virginia Giant Ride Truck:  As mentioned above, this truck is owned by former Monster Jam regular Diehl Wilson.  It’s cool because it’s interactive.  It’s interactive because guests can climb aboard the iconic truck and go for a heart pounding, car crushing, no holds barred edge of their seat ride.  Ride, crush, enjoy and repeat!

Additional fun features include the return of the metal eating, car crushing, fire breathing Transaurus.  Transaurus is the world's ONLY jet powered, transforming, car eating dinosaur.  This beast is hungry and needs fed and that will happen on Saturday ONLY of truck weekend.  The problem is, it’s only powered by a steady diet of sub-compact cars.  We plan on having a full buffet available so as to appease this monster!  Before, during and after its feast, it just might belch fire too!  Transaurus will perform twice on Saturday only of the show, so don’t miss out!

A ticket for the Carlisle Truck Nationals is just $15 with kids 12 and under free.  All monster truck shows are FREE with an admission to the grounds, though a nominal fee does apply for rides on the Virginia Giant.  Seating goes quickly for each show, so guests are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy all that the truck show has to offer and then find a spot.  Complete details on truck weekend including how to show a truck or BUY TICKETS can also be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

As the 19^th edition of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals takes shape, one thing is for sure.  The weekend of June 21-22 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds will be unlike anything ever seen before at this annual summertime gathering.  If cars were stars, which to the thousands of guests at Carlisle they are, then this year’s event is star-studded to say the least.  From special displays to guests, activities and more, being a part of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals is a MUST for any tried and true fan of the brand.

Gates open at 7 a.m. for this two-day event.  Once on grounds, showgoers will immediately be taken back to a time when Detroit and Chevrolet (as well as other products under the GM umbrella) were king.  From Pontiac to Buick, Cadillac to Oldsmobile, Camaro to GTO Judge, El Camino to Chevy Trucks and so much more, the National Parts Depot Showfield has it all!

While there are many great highlights to the event, THE highlight of the entire weekend happens on the back half of its final day.  At 1 p.m. on June 22, guests can enjoy the Bandit Jump.  This is the first event of its type ANYWHERE in 2019 and the first time it’s ever happened at Carlisle.  Join the Northeast Ohio Dukes as they honor the late great Burt Reynolds and Smokey and the Bandit with this jump on the south side of the grounds.  The jump is free for all on-site, but for prime viewing, a VIP ticket is required.  The VIP ticket pack is available now at www.carlisletickets.com. 

Other great celebration features in 2019 include a judged Showfield specific to Chevy and GMC trucks spanning the era of 1947 to 1987.  In addition, the Chevy Blazer gets a nod with a display spotlighting 50 years, while El Camino lovers honor 60 years of their beloved coupé utility.  Another 50^th showcase includes the GTO Judge while Carlisle Events as a company also invites enthusiasts to help honor the iconic Summer of ’69 with a 50-year focus of cars and trucks from that era.

50 and 60-year old honors aren’t all that will come out of Chevrolet weekend, as the Nova Nationals invade the fairgrounds, plus the Solid Lifter Showroom returns to Building Y.  A judged Showfield of nearly 1,000 cars plus a strong automotive flea market and midway help make this event one of the best of its type in the region.

Chevrolet weekend also plays host to a two-day dedicated Hurst Showcase.  This display, located under a tent, features dozens of top of the line Hurst branded cars.  There will also be Hurst engineers and others associated with the early years of Hurst.  In addition, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, Linda Vaughn is scheduled to appear at the event for the first time in more than a decade.

But wait, there’s more!  In keeping with the theme of Chevrolet Nationals weekend being bigger and better, guests should also plan a stopover at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center for a full day of collector and classic car auction excitement.  Backed by Carlisle Auctions, the Summer Sale spans a good portion of Saturday and will host over 200+ consignments.  A free shuttle will transport guests between venues to best quench their automotive appetites too.

Judging, competitions like burnouts and autocross, awards, an awards parade, seminars and so much more.  Register today or by single day/weekend tickets at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  To learn more about the auction, visit www.CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400.

The 2019 Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals run June 21-22 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and have many great features and guests slated to appear.  One such guest stands head and shoulders above all others due to her iconic affiliation with an equally iconic brand.  Linda Vaughn is coming to Carlisle to honor the Hurst brand as part of a very special Hurst Showcase.  This is Vaughn’s first appearance at the Chevrolet Nationals since 2008, making this a much anticipated return to this special event weekend.

In an automotive world dominated by men, Vaughn, also known as Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, burst onto the scene in the early ‘60s and perfectly blended Hollywood, sex appeal and women into the ranks of motorsports.  She is, without question, the First Lady of Motorsports and was the trophy girl at nearly every type of major motorsports competition, including Indy Car, Formula One and NASCAR.  She’s been crowned the queen of many different tracks, products and organizations, but her attachment to the Hurst brand in the ‘60s propelled the one-time dental assistant and local beauty to an international superstar.  She was so popular that she did USO type tours to Vietnam and even had similarly “built” assistants work as stand ins (Hurstettes) during the height of her popularity due to demand.

As part of her visit to Carlisle, Vaughn will meet fans, sign autographs, pose for photos and talk about her time in the automotive world as one of its preeminent beauty queens.  The Chevrolet Nationals is a can’t miss two-day happening and when combining that show with the long awaited return visit for Vaughn to Carlisle, there is no reason not to get involved. 

“When you think of the Hurst brand you almost instinctively think of Linda Vaughn.  They are almost inseparable,” said event manager Ken Appell.  “From an event planning perspective, getting Linda to the show was arguably as important as anything else and I’m glad we were able to make it happen.”

Again, autographs and photos are free and her appearance schedule will be announced closer to event weekend.  Rest assured, she will be in Carlisle throughout the weekend to meet everyone who wants to meet her.  Complete details about the Chevrolet Nationals, including the Bandit Jump, special displays additional Hurst guests, links to purchase single day or weekend tickets, specifics on Ms. Vaughn’s time at Carlisle and more can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

In November of 2010 Carlisle Events purchased a 50+ acre plot of land south of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds referenced by many as the former IAC or Lear Plant.  This footprint included a massive factory, plus acres of parking.  While the initial purchase was made to preserve parking, which supports the annual automotive events at the fairgrounds, Carlisle Events also had plans to redevelop the industrial landscape for mixed use commercial and residential.

As the work has progressed, the landscape on the southside of Carlisle along Route 34 (Carlisle Springs Rd.) has changed dramatically.  Trees have been planted where a factory once stood, lining streets that will connect parts of town that haven’t been directly connected in over 100 years.  While some trees have gone in, others have come out on the opposite side of the road.  This was done as a precursor to a much-needed storm water runoff area. 

Another aspect of the project that has necessitated a temporary new look to the landscape was the removal of a large rock, some shrubs and more importantly, a war memorial plaque.  The plaque was positioned on the west side of Carlisle Springs Rd. near the parking area closest to Hamilton St.  It was placed there decades ago to honor and remember factory workers who served and sacrificed via military action/service as part of World War II.  The plaque, while a long-standing fixture at the facility, was not visible to the masses as of late due to overgrowth in its area.  In addition, it was affixed to a large rock, which over time and due to various aspects of attrition, had deteriorated and crumbled to a point where it could no longer be maintained or fixed.

This plaque will return as soon as possible (likely mid-summer).  With its return to the factory site, the plaque will continue to honor those who worked at the factory, served our country and made many sacrifices along the way.

Complete details on the project can be found at https://www.carlislepa.org/carlisle-plan/.  In addition, car show season commences in less than six weeks with Spring Carlisle.  Parking areas adjacent to the main project footprint will be open, but guests may experience some delays as it is an active construction site.