Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack
After some musings and in-depth discussions with various vendors and shooters regarding the experiences encountered at the most recent Vintage Cup event in Wellsville PA, I put together a compilation of comments and impressions of the event. First, my own: ( I have attended most all of the Vintage Cup events from the very first one held at Addieville RI up through last year"s event at Hidden Hollow).
- The roads around the shooting grounds are so poorly marked they defied even the most robust GIS navigation systems. "Sandwich board" or balloon-decorated signs are a must at well-marked intersecting roads to the range.
- The porta johns were clumped (3 at one location near the equipment shed to the far right end of the big field) and not readily visible for ID and subsequent use (2 were near the canopy tent adjacent to the food trucks but not easily seen unless you trekked down to the clubhouse).
- Strictly as a side note to the previous observation, the individual who presumably had a "fecal emergency", leaving the large potta john at the end of the big vendor tent in its designated "out of order"' condition, should have been identified, apprehended, and charged with restoring the facility to operating condition and and sanitary standards. Those of us who attend these events and are subjected to these accomodations are very familiar with the "thief in the night" soiling and departure tactics of these individuals.
- The vendor tent needs to be bigger (longer) so as to offer more space between the aisles to move about to play with dogs, look at guns and write checks.
- The food trucks continue to be a great idea for these events and I don't know why more promoters/hosts don't solicit them. There were at least 2 trucks on site for 2 days, 3 on one day, plus a freelance BBQ guy from Amish country cooking wursts, feet, snouts and other porcine treats next to the clubhouse one day. People who ordered and ate inside the clubouse said the food was good but the service was slow. (First-time eventers take notice!).
- I did not shoot nor compete but heard a lot of complaints about the opening morning readiness in terms of trap malfunctions and target regimens not being clearly defined, which lead to much confusion. Hosts of these events have to understand that when the program says shooting starts at 9AM, when the gates open a herd of cars comes into the cart area, loads up their gear, signs up at the office (if not already registered), and hits the course ready to shoot! Well-prepared venues handle the initial crush like a gentle swell at the beach vs. a veritable tsunami. Good examples are Ernie Hausmann's Hidden Hollow and Mike Koneski's Rock Mountain shoots.
- I thought the array of vendors was very good and the selection of nice guns for sale was above par for a first-time event of this nature at an essentially unknown venue. There were some beautiful guns there and some outstanding bargains for those who looked carefully. I give a lot of credit to the large number of established vendors who "took the chance" displaying and selling at a heretofore unknown facility and location.
- A pet peeve of mine (I'm old now!) at these events has always been the lack of adequate nos. and placement of trash cans; the amount of packaging trash generated at one of these shoots is amazing. Much to their credit, the VC hosts hurriedly placed BIG cans strategically thoughout the grounds.
- The Vendors Cocktail Party on Friday night was a very nice touch - good wines, tasty appetizers, and very cordial company.
- The weather was absolutely oppressive heat and humidity wise and the drive home to NOVA went great down Rt. 15 till Emmitsburg, at which point the sky opened up and rose merry hell with torrential winds, driving rain, and a little hail thrown in for good measure. I pulled off the road twice in very un-manly fashion in deference to my toy rental car which seemed barely up to the task. No control over Mother Nature so she gets a pass!
- My travel time from home in NOVA was c. 2 hrs., much more relaxing than the 5 or 6 up into the hinterlands of PA (sorry Ernie & Mike!!).
So these are my observations, suggestions, and mini-rants. Overall I enjoyed the event and am likely to return next year as a "civilian" with my own booth.
- I am interested in other comments and observations regarding this event - collectively we can help make it better!
Thanks for your interest!
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