Instead of OCF?

[Ed Baudoux]

What are my Michigan T friends doing the weekend of the OCF this year? Chuck Martel and I have discussed an informal T tour around northern Michigan.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I'm gonna walk around in a daze, with a blank look on my face, (not too different than any other day), because, my entire life, I have been at OCF on that weekend. I don't know how to do anything else...


By the way, tell Chuck Martel that Jerry Van says hello!

[Dropacent]

I’m with you Jerry. Around here, it’s really THE old car thing we all enjoy the most. I just love to find a shady spot and watch old cars drive around for 3 days. Think positive, maybe next year!

[Ed Baudoux]

It has been brought to my attention that there is a tour planned between Alma and Houghton Lake that weekend, with a stop at Wellington Farm Park in Grayling. I cannot recommend stopping there. Last time I was there, I was the only applicant for the annual antique car show. I hung around for two hours to see if anyone else had signed up, as I was told their show attracted brass and steam cars. Upon returning to my Fordor, I found four employees of the park setting in my car. I think perhaps that is the reason for the poor attendance. I gladly give rides, and let people touch and handle both of my T's, but I was a little taken aback by the experience at Wellington.

[TMiller6]

Every year I miss a special dinner on the same weekend of the OCF. I have also used the OCF as a reason to be late for relatives' weddings.

This year my wife has made it clear that excuses will not be tolerated and I will be taking her to the dinner.

The cancellation of the Old Car Festival is really upsetting my life. Keep in mind I got married on the same day that Henry Ford drove the Quadacycle so I would never forget my wedding anniversary. Old cars are a major passion for me and I miss the shows.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Every year I miss a special dinner on the same weekend of the OCF. I have also used the OCF as a reason to be late for relatives' weddings.

This year my wife has made it clear that excuses will not be tolerated and I will be taking her to the dinner.

The cancellation of the Old Car Festival is really upsetting my life. Keep in mind I got married on the same day that Henry Ford drove the Quadacycle so I would never forget my wedding anniversary. Old cars are a major passion for me and I miss the shows.

Tom,

I certainly remember your early days at OCF. Not to bring up unpleasant moments, but I recall a certain Coupe in a "backing up" race. That was a memorable demonstration of a Model T's flexibility!

[TMiller6]

Hard to believe tHat was 40 years ago Jerry,

It took a while for them to fill in Miller’s Divot and my friends were fond of dragging me over to see it.

A couple of years ago they tried to set up a another reverse race on the field. My wife ran over and educated the younger employees so there wouldn’t be a repeat.

[TMiller6]

I also like to remember the stainless steel coffee urns and the doughnuts on Saturday morning. And also finally being allowed inside the chicken wire.

I also remember the first Motor Muster where they staked out the lower field to OCF dimensions. When the gigantic fifties cars showed up we had to do hasty re-stake of the ropes.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I also like to remember the stainless steel coffee urns and the doughnuts on Saturday morning. And also finally being allowed inside the chicken wire.

I also remember the first Motor Muster where they staked out the lower field to OCF dimensions. When the gigantic fifties cars showed up we had to do hasty re-stake of the ropes.

Oh my gosh Tom, I was thinking about those doughnuts just yesterday! My mother used to hound my dad to get moving on Saturday morning in order to not miss the doughnuts. Remember the banquets at Lovett Hall?

[KeithG]

Tom and Jerry, Yes, I remember a banquet at Lovett Hall. It was the closing dinner for the 1974 MTFCA Tour that was based in the Dearborn, our first tour. A wonderful place for a banquet. I don't think it's the same now - isn't that where the Benson Ford Archives are located?

Keith

[Atomic Amish]

I think that's the weekend of Michigan's youth hunt, right? Around the 17th? I was going to try and avoid going 'up north'(Gladwin, where my in-law's cabin is), but now I may have an 'excuse'.

Hmm....

[TMiller6]

Keith,

Lovett Hall is alive and well. The Benson Ford is an annex tied to the south end of Lovett Hall. They still cater many events at the Lovett but not the Old Car Festival dinners that you and Jerry may remember.

From memory I believe the dinner was discontinued around 1979 and a buffet at the original carousel shed was offered in its place. The following year the Lovett Hall banquet returned but it was an additional fee. It was discontinued the year after.

On the other end of the carousel shed was an ice cream place where you could park your car and walk in. I miss that.

Disclaimer -These are my personal recollections and I do not speak for the Henry Ford.