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-   2018 Camaro Fest (VIII) (https://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=310)
-   -   My impressions of Camarofest (https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533966)

Wtgrantham 07-15-2018 08:04 PM

My impressions of Camarofest
 
This is my second CamaroFest, met up with a friend of mine last year and took my wife down with me this year. Both years stayed across the street at the Courtyard by Marriott. I love seeing all the Camaros and everybody’s custom touches, also loved going to the track and watching the races as well as seeing all of the vendors and u tube folks I see often online.

My biggest disappointment I think both years is how fragmented or segmented the crowd is. I always think it will be a huge party with a lot of folks that have a lot in common but it just has the feel of different groups of friends staying to themselves. Everyone is very friendly if you approach them and ask questions but they aren’t seeking you out. I thought the meet and greet would be a great place to socialize but just ended up being lots of people getting in line to get the stuff they paid for and getting a plate of free food, not very social. Even the Camaro folks in my hotel stayed to themselves and never struck up conversation, heck, couldn’t even get a wave on the street from most Camaro folks while driving my own ZL1.
I guess everyone is busy doing there own thing and hanging with their clubs and friends and hanging around their own cars.
I’m not being critical of the event, I’ll go again, just sharing my disappointment in the social aspect of it. I wanted to hang out with some cool Camaro folks and drink some beers and chat about our cars, but just never felt a place to do that.
Maybe its due to our hotel being across the street and not having a car or “camp” in the main parking lot, I’ll try that next year I think.

I’m curious of the number of cars this year vs last year, felt like less to me. Wonder if that was just my impression because of the change in where Camaro parking was this year?

Anyway, much appreciation to all the folks who put in the work and allow us to have CamaroFest

laynlo15 07-15-2018 09:07 PM

I think your correct about the socializing.

Hypez 07-15-2018 09:08 PM

I enjoyed it very much and this was my second as well. You're not alone in those thoughts though. I didn't know many people and so I would often find myself just walking around solo, just looking. I had to end up bringing a local friend with the rest of the time to avoid feeling awkward lol. Even with that said I can't wait till next years. I plan on trading mine in for a 1LE and tracking it sometime before CF9!

Vtor_ZL1 07-15-2018 09:10 PM

Next year.. Hello my name/forum name/youtube channel is tags for everyone.

Ace0751 07-15-2018 09:39 PM

Think the heat has a lot to do with the socialization. After a long day of being at the track, out in the heat, a lot of people are just out of it. Or just need more social juice in the system lol.

Hypez 07-15-2018 10:13 PM

I'll bring some corn hole boards next time and we can have a tournament lol

dfwcowboy 07-15-2018 10:58 PM

My experience with similar venues is the larger they become, the less social they are. People tend to stay within their own circle of friends, so if you come alone you find yourself on the outside looking in to some degree.

Dustya 07-15-2018 11:14 PM

Never being to Camarofest before and I didn't go with anyone I actually have the opposite feeling you do.. there was some very social people.. I just walked up introduced myself and got some feedback on why they came what they were driving etc.. which then blends into other conversations.. I made some new friends ( I think ) met a group of great people that I didn't know existed (gotsS2Go racing ) Met with people I anticipated meeting ran into people that anticipated meeting me.. there was never a point where I felt socialization was lacking... Zeus is hilarious he just struck a conversation up with me while I was talking to Deadpool about his Camaro. My biggest complaint is trying to learn everyone's real names.. I met people from the Facebook groups and people from here. Like I said at no point did I feel the lack of socialization.

Snowblind 07-15-2018 11:47 PM

1 Attachment(s)
My 1st year attending CamaroFest and I only came with the wife. We made friends with a Bunch of people. I found everyone I chatted with friendly and nice. I did communicate on Facebook with some people beforehand that I would like to meet them, and did. I ended up hanging out with some GotSS2Go Racing peeps, we bonded (now we feel like family) and we are pictured in the center/back of their group...I hadn't met any of these fine folks before this weekend.

Attachment 946215

Hypez I will hold you to the corn hole boards for next year..lol

KirkH 07-15-2018 11:56 PM

I talked to so many folks that my voice was shot! Could’ve been talking above all the ROAR! Too much fun!

its a syn 07-16-2018 02:17 AM

It is a group of Camaro enthusiasts. I does seem clickesh, trust me it is not! You can talk Camaro with all. This is my 6 plus 1 Fest. I missed the host hotel the last 2 times. I wish we could have the party be a 3 lot party. This year really cramped the lot party at Holiday Inn. This would be a great opportunity to make it a 3 lot party. Cones were brought up, I think it is okay. Maybe big groups need waivers to do it. I would really think if we get away from host hotel party lot and do 3 it would make socializing better. I liked this year, bike group might have caught us some new angles! We need to make sure all events are novice friendly. NCM is the greatest event, so many novice friendly classes. Camarocross has a spot for all!. I have not done the drags, it also is novice friendly as far as the participants say. This has to make sure 1st time Fest people try at least 1 event and are not intimadated yet escorted to have a good time. Another Fest In the books, another great time!! See ya next Fest!!!

hrpiii 07-16-2018 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wtgrantham (Post 10250667)
This is my second CamaroFest, met up with a friend of mine last year and took my wife down with me this year. Both years stayed across the street at the Courtyard by Marriott. I love seeing all the Camaros and everybody’s custom touches, also loved going to the track and watching the races as well as seeing all of the vendors and u tube folks I see often online.

My biggest disappointment I think both years is how fragmented or segmented the crowd is. I always think it will be a huge party with a lot of folks that have a lot in common but it just has the feel of different groups of friends staying to themselves. Everyone is very friendly if you approach them and ask questions but they aren’t seeking you out. I thought the meet and greet would be a great place to socialize but just ended up being lots of people getting in line to get the stuff they paid for and getting a plate of free food, not very social. Even the Camaro folks in my hotel stayed to themselves and never struck up conversation, heck, couldn’t even get a wave on the street from most Camaro folks while driving my own ZL1.
I guess everyone is busy doing there own thing and hanging with their clubs and friends and hanging around their own cars.
I’m not being critical of the event, I’ll go again, just sharing my disappointment in the social aspect of it. I wanted to hang out with some cool Camaro folks and drink some beers and chat about our cars, but just never felt a place to do that.
Maybe its due to our hotel being across the street and not having a car or “camp” in the main parking lot, I’ll try that next year I think.

I’m curious of the number of cars this year vs last year, felt like less to me. Wonder if that was just my impression because of the change in where Camaro parking was this year?

Anyway, much appreciation to all the folks who put in the work and allow us to have CamaroFest

Quote:

Originally Posted by its a syn (Post 10250967)
It is a group of Camaro enthusiasts. I does seem clickesh, trust me it is not! You can talk Camaro with all. This is my 6 plus 1 Fest. I missed the host hotel the last 2 times. I wish we could have the party be a 3 lot party. This year really cramped the lot party at Holiday Inn. This would be a great opportunity to make it a 3 lot party. Cones were brought up, I think it is okay. Maybe big groups need waivers to do it. I would really think if we get away from host hotel party lot and do 3 it would make socializing better. I liked this year, bike group might have caught us some new angles! We need to make sure all events are novice friendly. NCM is the greatest event, so many novice friendly classes. Camarocross has a spot for all!. I have not done the drags, it also is novice friendly as far as the participants say. This has to make sure 1st time Fest people try at least 1 event and are not intimadated yet escorted to have a good time. Another Fest In the books, another great time!! See ya next Fest!!!


Both are correct. You have to initiate some conversation with others to get to know them. I walked around the lot, introduced myself, and at the track, I spoke with everyone sitting around me watching the racing. When I was walking around the cars for the car show, if I saw something I liked or was interested in, I definitely spoke up and asked questions and let them know what I liked and stuff. You can't be shy now, you have to be a little open to conversation yourself. There are groups that traveled to the event together, and in the evening they are getting back together to share the days experience with each other. Most likely tired from the long day, long night, a few beverages, but they will talk your ear off if you pull up a chair.

I had a couple guys each night pull up a chair to our group and OMG, they each made a wonderful impression on us and made the night to remember in the parking lot. What a wonderful, funny, and I am talking fall out of my chair laughing funny people.

So you kind of take away a little of what you put into it. Just my thoughts and hope your next experience is better.

oneredry 07-16-2018 01:36 PM

Since we are on the subject..
this was also my first year, I loved every aspect of it. My only concerning comment was. Sunday when the awards went out. I think it was to dragged out. for me, They should have announced the car show awards way long time before the end. people were already packing up and ready to go, while my wife and I had a 5hr drive we waited till the end. To me if one thing were to change, I would place at least the car show awards maybe around 3:30 to 4Pm so that way we can get going a little sooner..

ohh and the announcer........ please someone tell him to stop saying "and uhh.." ...and uh...." lol.

BAD DAB 07-16-2018 07:53 PM

I’ve met new friends every time I attend a fest and reconnect with past ones. All I do is walk up to some one and start talking. Somebody walks up to me........I offer them something to drink be it water or beer and the conversation is on. I love coming to this event.


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