The East Coast has their Carlisle, the Midwest their Dell’s. But until now there has not been a traditional gathering annually for Fiero folk in the Western states.
Would you believe that there really IS a Western Fiero gathering that happens annually?? A segment on Two Guys Garage last Fall let the cat out of the bag. If you missed that show, here is the edited footage (Please bear with the first few seconds showing frame welding): http://s164.photobucket.com...FCatGunnison2008.flv
The Mile High Fiero Club has been a part of this show for a few years now, and has received club recognition for the past two years. There has been talk by the event organizers to make the Fiero the featured car at the 2009 show - - that is if we can get enough participation to support that honor.
Now, anybody that knows me personally will fully understands that I am not a show type of guy. But in spite of that distinction, I can honestly say that I LOVE this Gunnison event!! So there must be a lot more than a car show going on - - And there is!!
The entire downtown area of this mountain college town is cordoned off solely for the participants on Friday night. The entered cars are parked on the Main Street, a couple bands fire up - and there is a street dance that lasts until late in the evening hours. On Saturday there is the traditional car show, with judging solely by participants and the public. Oh, and there is a separate Fiero class with trophies in Original, Restored, and Modified.
But that ain’t all! Saturday night there is a huge Poker Run, with some pretty decent prizes. And the fun doesn’t stop there - - the icing on this weekend happens on Sunday. There is a gathering in a large parking lot on the north side of Gunnison, and a caravan happens. People living in mountain cabins and homes on the scenic route stand on their decks or in their yards and photo or video the passing cars! This caravan will run for about 25 scenic miles from Gunnison to the famous and quaint town of Crested Butte, where once again all the participating cars are parked on the Main Street there. The last car is leaving Gunnison about the same time as the first car is arriving in Crested Butte . . .
The only cars allowed on the Main Street of Crested Butte this Sunday morning are the Gunnison participants, and they are parked on either side and up the middle of the street. While the townsfolk and tourists admire these cars, the participants are seated in a couple restaurants, and a delicious breakfast is served.
The Mile High Fiero Club has reserved an entire motel at special rates just for Fiero folk attending this event (there are 12 rooms still available as of this writing). And we extend an invitation to anybody in the Western States (or anywhere else, for that matter) to join us at Gunnison this August 21 - 23.
My husband and I attended the Gunnison event the past two years. It is a really nice event. An entire weekend of activities, beautiful cars, great people, good food among the beautiful mountains. We are from the east coast and turned it into a vacation. Well worth it. Would like to attend again, we'll see. I highly recommend if anyone can go, you will be glad you did.
Looks like a lot of fun and it would be great for them to show off a bunch of Fieros.
But I do think there would be a number of people who would disagree with you about not having an annual Fiero event in the West. We have a couple of big ones in CA, and there are others as well. And they are actual Fiero events instead of Fieros mixed in with other cars as well.
quote
Originally posted by cadero2dmax:
The East Coast has their Carlisle, the Midwest their Dell’s. But until now there has not been a traditional gathering annually for Fiero folk in the Western states.
Would you believe that there really IS a Western Fiero gathering that happens annually??
I should have worded my posting a little differently (didn't intentionally exclude the West Coast).
What I should have emphasized is that there is not a major show between Dell's and the West Coast - a huge geographical void that Gunnison seems to be about in the middle of. This show is "Fiero friendly", and serves that 2000 mile gap nicely.
And (of course) the Left Coaster's are also welcome to traverse the 1000 miles to Gunnison, we could use the support . . .
This looks like a lot of fun and the area is beautiful! I am going to check my work and other schedules and see if I can make it. Who do we contact for the hotel information on the rooms that are blocked? Thanks
The first year WestFest happened it was in Vegas.. WestFest has only been going on for 5-6 years. It is the show that replaced the old FOCOA show.
You're right, George. This is a big void in the western mid-west area. There is Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, California.... But nothing there in the middle. And Colorado is beautiful too. I lived there for a while when I was a kid. You could do worse for scenery for a Fiero show.
This looks like a lot of fun and the area is beautiful! I am going to check my work and other schedules and see if I can make it. Who do we contact for the hotel information on the rooms that are blocked? Thanks
Anybody interested in coming to Gumnnison this year can e-mail me directly at cadero2dmax@hotmail.com for a room, more info - - anything!
G
[This message has been edited by cadero2dmax (edited 02-16-2009).]
NO!!, I have been bugging him for years and he won't move it out of cali since all the cali people whine. (Cali people don't start whining cause I said this, its true)
Too bad that show is way too close to Burningman, I would never be able to go to that show.
Come on now... Like I said, it was in Vegas in 2001 and has been in Truckee twice since. That is almost out of CA. That's not too bad in the run of WestFest considering how far John has to drive to do all the planning and set up. I make the Coast Run trip several times a year looking for things to do and trying to keep it exciting and it stays in the same place all the time. Wherever the show ends up being, I guarantee you that John ends up making the drive at least three times before the show. If he is willing to do all of that, I think people shouldn't complain about driving it once to have that much fun with their car.
But you are saying the same thing I said, although I said it with a little more tact. On the other hand, none of you Vegas guys showed up at the Coast Run even though some had registered. And that is not a far drive from Vegas. It's like I said, no matter where it is, people are always going to say why is it always so far from me... The Coast Run is almost equal distances from Redding, San Diego, and Vegas. No need for any of those folks to feel left out. But even at just 6-7 hours for a great Fiero time, seems like it is too far... Refer to my comment above about our East Coast events.
[This message has been edited by Songman (edited 02-16-2009).]
Yea, the coast run is great! Thanks for hosting it. Even if you don't bring a Fiero, it's still a blast.
WestFest should be great as well. Start saving now, so there won't be any excuses about high gas prices come summer. (Yes, it will happen again, it happens EVERY year. Gas prices go UP in the summer. It's a fact of life)
Going back to 1991 there were 2 shows in Reno,2 shows in Las Vegas and 2 shows in Truckee.Some were hosted by FOCOA,some by the Reno club and some by the Westfest group.How many shows have the Vegas people hosted?
I doubt my car will be painted by then, but should be good for the drive down there.
There will be a couple cars coming through Cheyenne en route to join the caravan from Denver if you want to join up. Keep an eye on the Club Events and Announcement section at www.milehighfieros.com
[This message has been edited by cadero2dmax (edited 02-16-2009).]
I might say "I'm in", if there were't about 1000 miles of Texas between me and the northwestern state line. Sounds like a great place for a get together tho!!
I have listed a few examples of distances traveled from various cities in the west to Gunnison. It is about a day’s drive from these cities. I am sure West Fest is cool but it is too far for most in these cities, so we are trying to start an alternative western states event that can be driven to in a day or so. It is a 1,000 miles from Denver to LA and it is much farther for people in some of the States listed, It is just more distance than a lot of people can afford to drive and take many days off of work to attend an event in CA. Other Fiero events do not just have Fiero’s like The Carlisle show in PA is now going to be combined with the GM nationals. I do not think the event needs to be Fiero exclusive to be fun. The Gunnison event is a lot of fun and has a lot of good activities and spectacular scenery to view on the drive there.
Denver to Gunnison 200 miles Salt Lake City UT to Gunnison 400 miles Phoenix AZ to Gunnison 620 miles Cheyenne WY to Gunnison 300 miles Albuquerque NM to Gunnison 350 miles Oklahoma City to Gunnison 730 miles Lincoln NE to Gunnison 680 miles Amarillo TX to Gunnison 480 miles Las Vegas NV to Gunnison 630 miles Wichita KS to Gunnison 675 miles
These are just some examples of driving distances from major cities in the western states so you can see how Gunnison could be an event you might be able to attend if you live near any of these cities. So if you want to go to an event and cannot go to the east coast or the west coast give Gunnison a try it is a lot of fun.
We are not trying to compete with the west coast events or the east coast events we are just offering a fun event in between the coasts.
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2619515 “The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” -Cicero, 55 BC,-
I might say "I'm in", if there were't about 1000 miles of Texas between me and the northwestern state line. Sounds like a great place for a get together tho!!
I checked the mileage and had the same conclusion...the 1,000 miles of Texas is kind of a turn off, but I bet it would be a nice drive once I made it to Colorado.
My apologies to those who think I hijacked this thread. I simply stated the error in the statement that there are no annual Fiero events in the West. I have no problem with an event in Colorado. I think it is great. I just don't want anyone acting like we are not out here when we spend a lot of time, money, and effort into putting on our events. BTW, it is only 940 miles from Bakersfield to Gunnison. I've driven almost three times that far to Fiero events several times since I have been in CA. I don't think it is too far.
With that said, I will retire myself from this thread before I cause any more trouble...
Denver to Gunnison 200 miles Salt Lake City UT to Gunnison 400 miles Phoenix AZ to Gunnison 620 miles Cheyenne WY to Gunnison 300 miles Albuquerque NM to Gunnison 350 miles Oklahoma City to Gunnison 730 miles Lincoln NE to Gunnison 680 miles Amarillo TX to Gunnison 480 miles Las Vegas NV to Gunnison 630 miles Wichita KS to Gunnison 675 miles
<snip>
And the majority of those routes are in 75mph speed zones - so 85 is rule of thumb
My apologies to those who think I hijacked this thread. I simply stated the error in the statement that there are no annual Fiero events in the West. I have no problem with an event in Colorado. I think it is great. I just don't want anyone acting like we are not out here when we spend a lot of time, money, and effort into putting on our events. BTW, it is only 940 miles from Bakersfield to Gunnison. I've driven almost three times that far to Fiero events several times since I have been in CA. I don't think it is too far.
With that said, I will retire myself from this thread before I cause any more trouble...
Actually, it wasn't you that was trying to make this into a California thread. You correctly questioned my incorrect statement - it was others that wanted information, argued and discussed all the merits of the Left Coast events.
FWIW, I am glad you corrected me! It gave me a chance to clarify and amplify.
G
[This message has been edited by cadero2dmax (edited 02-17-2009).]
I wanted to make this run last year and tried to make it work but the time of year is wrong. I have a son in college playing college football and one in High school football My weekends are tied up with Football from August til November....... Someday I will make it!
Blue Mesa is close by if your are into fishing then you will love this place, come before the show or stay after and do a little fishing, hiking and sight seeing.
I checked the mileage and had the same conclusion...the 1,000 miles of Texas is kind of a turn off, but I bet it would be a nice drive once I made it to Colorado.
It's actually, 738 miles of Texas (my house in Houston to Texline "yes it's a town") and 359 miles of New Mexico and Colorado. The good thing is you go through the southern part of Colorado on the interstate and it's a winding, rolling freeway...but watched for the unmarked troopers in Colorado...more of them than marked cars.
Maryjane you're further West than us so you can make it as well.
It's actually, 738 miles of Texas (my house in Houston to Texline "yes it's a town") and 359 miles of New Mexico and Colorado. The good thing is you go through the southern part of Colorado on the interstate and it's a winding, rolling freeway...but watched for the unmarked troopers in Colorado...more of them than marked cars.
Maryjane you're further West than us so you can make it as well.
I am NE of Houston about 50 miles, but Jane & I are discussing this event. We have not been to Colo before and Jane has been dying to go out west before we get too old to travel. Won't be taking a Fiero tho--if we go. Might see something I want to buy out there so we would take the truck.
I'll tell ya folks what. When we have bunches of Colorado, Arizona, Utah and Nevada people coming to Westfest, I'll consider organizing a show further east.
Another thing to remember...we have to do at least one scouting trip to put together a show. It's tough to organize a show if you live 700 miles away.
....we have to do at least one scouting trip to put together a show. It's tough to organize a show if you live 700 miles away.
Which is why the annual fall get together in Texas is on a rotating basis. (Red River Ruckus) A different part of the state each year, hosted and put together by a volunteer (s) from that locale.
I'll tell ya folks what. When we have bunches of Colorado, Arizona, Utah and Nevada people coming to Westfest, I'll consider organizing a show further east.
Another thing to remember...we have to do at least one scouting trip to put together a show. It's tough to organize a show if you live 700 miles away.
No organiziation needed, this is already in place, all you need to do is show up.
Well where ever you choose it to be is anyone from Arizona going for sure so I can caravan along with others?
Are you comming to the Gunnison event? This thread was started to promote the Gunnison Colorado event, but it has had a lot of posts about another show that is unrelated to our Gunnison event, so I am confused about which event you are going to attend.
Are you comming to the Gunnison event? This thread was started to promote the Gunnison Colorado event, but it has had a lot of posts about another show that is unrelated to our Gunnison event, so I am confused about which event you are going to attend.
I'm going to the Gunnison event if I have to drive my Fiero to southern most point of Argentina! But I'm coming from Tucson, AZ and was wondering if anyone else was going from Arizona and wanted to drive in a group?
I'm going to the Gunnison event if I have to drive my Fiero to southern most point of Argentina! But I'm coming from Tucson, AZ and was wondering if anyone else was going from Arizona and wanted to drive in a group?
I am glad you a re planning to come to Gunnison it is a lot of fun. Join our forum to keep up with the event news or just to chat with us. http://milehighfieros.com To see the hotel and rooms we reserved go to this thread. http://milehighfieros.8.for.../viewtopic.php?t=771 Send a PM to Cadero2dmax at the thread to reserve a room. The hotel is small, is newly remodeled, and is right across the street from the main event area we had 18 rooms reserved, and we have 8 left as of today. Maybe more people from AZ will decide to come. Maybe you could contact your local club and see if anyone is interested in caravanning with you to Gunnison.