Phil, if I could "like" a post more than once, I would do it for yours.
I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a car "show".
The local gathering, "car shows" here in rural Indiana are basically, extended "family" get-togethers. What I mean by that is, everybody knows everybody, and their cars. Heard the stories, know the details, so just sit in a lawn chair and talk. Pretty boring to me, after awhile. The guys that I'm close friends with, already stop by often, in the summer, if my shop door is open.
I like big venue shows, because you see those national vendors, and, in the case of Goodguys, there are ACTION things to do. Autocross, vintage drag racing, poker runs, etc.
The thing is, Goodguys shows are big business. The cost to produce one would probably surprise a lot of people. A fleet of semi trucks traveling the U.S., rental on the venue, emergency personnel have to be paid, liability insurance, Goodguys full and part-time staff, radio and TV advertising, the list goes on.
As I sit here looking at the Goodguys Reg. form for Columbus, Ohio, next summer, the cost to enter as a gold level member would be $45, for the whole weekend. That includes two adults and their kids under 16 for the entire weekend, plus other goodies. I think that is not too bad of a value. N.S.R.A., Louisville, would be similar, I think, without the fun "blow your car out" stuff.
You have to be a member, or pay more to attend. The thing is, membership brings some discounts with vendors, that can return your cost if you are building a car. They also have a fantastic magazine, printed on real paper and mailed to your home. (I like that when I'm in the middle of nowhere in the cab of a truck.)
I disagree, to some extent, John, that spectators should pay most of the cost. They are the potential future enthusiasts, that might help the hobby live on. I get a kick out of the youngsters that show interest, and ask questions.
The comment on the U.S. economy is correct, Phil. We are being fed lies every day on that. This year has been the slowest in my business in many years. Several factors have contributed to that, but, I see "cracks" in the economic foundation, that look much worse to me than the summer of 2008.
I must be an immature, old coot, because I can't wait to drag race and autocross my 50 Chevy.
In the case of the Indianapolis show, I think Goodguys made some fatal errors. They used to have the show out at Raceway Park, in Clermont, In., a dragstrip in a suburb of Indpls. They decided to move it to the Indiana State Fairgrounds, for whatever reason. Not a good neighborhood. I was told by several out-of town people they would not be back, because of that. Plus, the vintage drags were still out at Clermont, so, you had to go there to participate in that. Just, bad, decision making...
Columbus, Ohio is a long drive for me, but, I'll probably go...
Steve.
. We had a lot of driving the old truck approx 40mi one way to the fairgrounds all 4 days. 
