No Umbrellas at National Shows

[craigzygmunt]

On a related note, while at the Ocean State Nationals the Sunday after judging, a guy came by with his kid. The kid was well behaved and really really liked my car. I let him open the door so he could see the interior better. Then I told him to get in so his dad could take a picture - you should have seen his face light up. It made that kid's day, and pretty much made mine too (notwithstanding the first place in modified division I got later that day). He was grinning from ear to ear. Thats the reason I show my car.

Awesome! I've done the same thing, even sometimes let them start it up. They get the biggest kick out of it. Maybe someday that kid will be parked next to you at a cruise-in with his Mustang because of the impression you made on him. More likely than if you brushed him away with an umbrella.

[valandrich]

I attended the MCA Show in Warwick, RI. I'm a member of the MCA and Mustang Club of New England. I am in full agreement with the polices of no umbrellas, strollers, and unattended young children. I too, cringe at the sight of unattended children running around my car. I also agree advertisements should not be distributed at any type of car show.

I believe the MCA officials should consider at future events, setting up several tents for spectators and participants to escape the heat and sun. Let's face it, most of the participants are over 40 years old and can't manage that kind of heat. If no umbrellas are allowed, some sort of alternative should be planned. The hotel is certainly an escape, but it is not preferred as it takes us away from keeping an eye on our cars.

In addition, the amenities were not ideal. Better food vendors could have been made available. Someone walking around selling water and non-alcoholic beverages would have been a great service. Better merchandisers could have participated. Used car magazines and old "how to" manuals were somewhat pathetic. Overall, I thought the RI show had good participation, it was rather unpleasant in terms of comfort and amenities.

I have attended car shows in Orange, Ct sponsored by the Lions Club that are quite enjoyable. They have a nice location, shade, good food vendors, good merchandisers, and excellent participation. It is open to all types of cars, with a very respectable showing of mustangs and vets. (Always good to keep the rivalry going!). The organizers of the Warwick, RI show could take a lesson.

I do not mean to be overly critical, but for a national show, I expected more, especially with the local on coastal RI. It was a disappointment for a national show and I'm glad I only traveled 100 miles to attend.

[JimS]

To first address the gentleman who started the string.

I do believe and umbrella would do very little to stop the ultraviolet rays of the sun, but like someone said in the string, proper dress, and sun block would go a long way. Also we did have a cool off tent next to the red cross open to all who needed to get out of the sun. The rule of no umbrellas and tents is a good rule, and we did enforce it the best we could. Maybe conming out earlier, taking breaks, and proper dress would of done you much more than an umbrella. Back about ten years ago a tent flew up and went across a 1979 silver pace car with 100% original paint. You can guess how the owner felt when that car will never be to its potential anymore.
About children and the responsibilities of parent, I agree that in the future maybe a hand out to all spectators on not touching the cars and other things to insure the safety of the cars.
Lastly were the show was on the hotel grounds we could not bring in any other food vendors because they would be competing with the hotel. The only thing they allowed was the lemonade stand, sorry
We can all on both sides of the fence do things to make it a more enjoyable event, and safety of the cars and all the people are paramount. We had an American Red Cross station there with free water to everyone who needed it. Did we advertise the free water, no but it was available. I guess if we did we would be out in the first 10 minutes of the show.
We did the best we could, I do hope the overall weekend was fun for you all.

Jim Silverman
President Mustang Car Club of New England

[goldeneagle752]

[QUOTE=jpplaw;16967]I understand about the reasons for the "no umbrella" rule. Unruly kids and careless adults are a different story, and theres not very much we can do about that. More "rules" may not be the answer.

On a related note, while at the Ocean State Nationals the Sunday after judging, a guy came by with his kid. The kid was well behaved and really really liked my car. I let him open the door so he could see the interior better. Then I told him to get in so his dad could take a picture - you should have seen his face light up. It made that kid's day, and pretty much made mine too (notwithstanding the first place in modified division I got later that day). He was grinning from ear to ear. Thats the reason I show

[goldeneagle752]

[QUOTE=aroth28;16902]Amen on the dogs. Please leave the animals at home where they belong.[/QUO

[aroth28]

some people have to bring dogs to the shows I do I bring my service dog every where I go even goes to the hospital with me when I have to go.so please watch what you say about people with dogs

You know well enough that I was not referring to legimate, legal service animals. Please don't insinuate that I was. I am referring to the tiny lap dogs and others who are brought to these events.

I respect and understand the role of true service dogs. But if any animal takes a leak on my car I am drop kicking that thing for an eighty yard field goal !

I think we got off point though. Jim made an excellent observation about sun protection. The rest of the topic (dogs, chiildren and umbrellas) was just members expressing concerns about their vehicles.

[goldeneagle752]

[QUOTE=8-T-Tree;16871]I went to the Ocean State National last weekend. I was 3 weeks out of knee surgery and on Antibiotics. I was blind sided by the "New" rule of on No canopies or umbrellas, even hand held. I was in the mist of cleaning my car and was holding it to shade myself from the sun as per doctors orders. I told this to the wonderful person who told me I had to put it away. So now I'm stuck. I can't finish cleaning my car because I can not stay out in the sun even after taking a bath in sunscreen. I've won 6 firsts with my car and received a 3rd this time around. This I'm not complaining about,I knew it wasn't as clean as it could have been.
My question is, Will the MCA cover a persons medical expense for sunburns because all shows are held out in the open and hopefully on sunny days?
I know why there shouldn't be any canopies on the show field, but hand held umbrellas? Not like it's going to fly away from a persons hand.
I believe the "New" rule, which by the way wasn't written in any of the show material, should be modified to allow hand held umbrellas.[

[gtpony94]

I think this thread has gotten a bit skewed in a different direction. The original post was concerning someone being told that umbrellas were not allowed on the show field in Warwick. The concern was that some people need the protection from the sun that an umbrella would provide on the show field. I posted that rules such as no umbrellas or tents were made by the host club and not MCA. Most are made for good reason since wind and umbrellas and tents do not get along well in and around show cars that represent many thousands of dollars of automobiles. I do not think anyone meant to offend or imply that persons with disabilities would not be accomodated at a car show, and we all know there can be extenuating circumstances in every situation. Everyone just needs to use good judgment in these situations.

Now, all that said, letting dogs, persons operating bicycles, scooters, or skateboards in an irresponsible manner, and errant children run unattended through the show field should not be allowed or tolerated and the host club would be responsible for ensuring that it was not.

None of that has anything to do with not allowing diabled or handicapped persons or their equipment on the show field as one of the most recent post seemed to indicate that was being implied. At the same time if a handicapped or disabled person damages a car with the equipment they are using, they should understand that they can be held liable for that damage. Lets all just be careful and responsible and have fun.