Frogs

lofat46 · August 20, 2017, 12:07:25 PM

Anyone heading to E'ville next weekend?

Okiedokie · August 21, 2017, 10:30:17 PM

Yes, I am. First time for me, looks like good weather.

lofat46 · August 22, 2017, 11:14:28 AM

Your gonna love it! Best pre-'49 show around. Usually get 3500-4000 cars, huge swap meet. Looks like the weather is going to cooperate and be in the low 80's and sunny (I hope). Stop by my club's tent and say hi. Our usual spot is right in front of the registration building. Large white tent that has the state of Illinois and Midwest Street Rod Association in it.

FYI, One of my club members found this road work announcement that was supposed to start yesterday. Could effect those rodders using Rt. 41 coming/going from the south or using I-69 and exiting north on 41.

http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/work-starts-monday-on-us-41-paving-project/491742181

416Ford · August 23, 2017, 07:51:54 AM

And he is easy to spot too. Tall older guy with a goatee wearing a hot rod shirt.

lofat46 · August 23, 2017, 09:23:25 AM

Quote from: "416Ford"And he is easy to spot too. Tall older guy with a goatee wearing a hot rod shirt.

You forgot to mention the other identifier that makes me stand out. I have gray hair.

UGLY OLDS · August 23, 2017, 10:26:14 AM

Quote from: "lofat46"
Quote from: "416Ford"And he is easy to spot too. Tall older guy with a goatee wearing a hot rod shirt.

You forgot to mention the other identifier that makes me stand out. I have gray hair.

Hair is sooo overrated ....

Bob...

416Ford · August 23, 2017, 10:32:41 AM

Sorry Tony, I am like Bob. Hair is something that grows in you ears and on your back.

lofat46 · August 23, 2017, 10:46:54 AM

Quote from: "UGLY OLDS"
Quote from: "lofat46"
Quote from: "416Ford"And he is easy to spot too. Tall older guy with a goatee wearing a hot rod shirt.

You forgot to mention the other identifier that makes me stand out. I have gray hair.

Hair is sooo overrated ....

Bob...

I'll be getting a haircut before Kzoo. Do you guys want me to save you some?

lofat46 · August 28, 2017, 10:54:03 AM

Here's a shot of the street rods waiting for the gates to open at 6 AM on the first day of the 2017 Frog Follies last Friday. This is only one angle and does not include the two lines of rods on the main driveway, some of which had been parked since the previous Friday August 18th! Each line of rods had approximately 15-20 rods in it and there were around 15 lines. I got there at 4:00 AM and I was the fourth car in the seventh line. If you have never experienced the gates opening at the Frog Follies, it reminds one of the old westerns and the Oklahoma land rushes, everybody charging to get their little piece of real estate for the weekend. The last number I heard on Saturday was 3,540 pre-'49 street rods registered this year. If you have a street rod and have never been to the Frog Follies, it is one run I strongly recommend.

58 Yeoman · August 28, 2017, 11:18:29 AM

I think that may be part of the problem that Morris, IL told the Hunnert Car Pileup to go somewhere else. There were cars backed up on Interstate 80, plus the side highways. I can't believe that Morris didn't find a solution, as that had to bring in a LOT of money for that weekend.

I don't think that I'd have the patience to wait in line that long. How was it for the spectators? Were those lines long also?

lofat46 · August 28, 2017, 12:04:52 PM

Quote from: "58 Yeoman"I think that may be part of the problem that Morris, IL told the Hunnert Car Pileup to go somewhere else. There were cars backed up on Interstate 80, plus the side highways. I can't believe that Morris didn't find a solution, as that had to bring in a LOT of money for that weekend.

I don't think that I'd have the patience to wait in line that long. How was it for the spectators? Were those lines long also?

You can't compare the Grundy County Fairgrounds in Morris with the Vandenburgh 4H grounds where the Frogs are held. The Vandenburgh grounds are much larger, rolling hills even a small lake (large pond?). A huge area for vendors and a swap meet that dwarfs the swap meet in Louisville. The Evansville Iron lets the cars onto a certain area of the grounds basically at all hours to line up to keep them off the roadway. Some park their car in line and leave it there over night and come back before the gates open and move their cars, some may sleep in their cars and others just drive there at 0-dark thirty and get in line wherever they wind up. The gates open at 6:00 am and all the cars you see in the picture are gone by 6:15. They move them in quickly one line at a time. I think they are able to move them in so quickly because the grounds are so big and the cars are going to every corner. They have two spectator entrances and two large spectator lots. There are small backups at times but the E'ville Iron and local law enforcement do a pretty good job of keeping it moving.

Personally, I like getting to the grounds early. For me it's fun watching the event come to life as the cars roll in as the sun starts to come up. At Frogs a couple club members and I get there early to make sure our club can get our regular piece of land. But sometimes I'll wake up early and getting in line at 4 or 5 AM beats not being able to sleep and sitting around a hotel room for a couple of hours. I can nap in the car while in line. But that's just me.

kb426 · August 28, 2017, 01:07:01 PM

I'm planning on that in the future.

papastoyss · August 28, 2017, 03:25:49 PM

Quote from: "kb426"I'm planning on that in the future.

Once you go. you'll be hooked. I got hooked around 1989 & have'nt missed one since. Weather was great this year, low 80's high temps, we were actually a bit chilly in the am, much nicer than last year, we about melted. This run is all about having a good time, not trying to squeeze the last $ from the rodders. E'ville Iron club says it will always be pre 49 only. They pack the place w/rods & spectators. Motel rooms sell out quick, plan ahead if you do attend.

kb426 · August 28, 2017, 06:07:45 PM

What is sunday like?

lofat46 · August 29, 2017, 11:01:57 AM

Sunday is still pretty full. That's when they have the awards and giveaways. This year we had to skip Sunday and head home but in the past we've stayed and there are still plenty of cars there.
Pappastoyss is right, once you go you are hooked. Pre-registered get a T-shirt, dash plaques and a special Hot Wheels type street rod made especially for the Frogs. And all the food is inexpensive. burgers are $2.50, haystacks (Fritos, lettuce, chili and cheese) are $2.50. A huge pork chop sandwich $4.50 and their famous McFrog breakfast sandwich (sausage, egg, cheese) is also $2.50. Bottled water is a buck. Compare this with other shows. I did hear that after years of charging $15.00 for pre-entry, it's going up to $20.00 next year. Still a bargain. If there was a downside, it's that some of the hotels are taking advantage of the popularity and gouging people. One hotel some fellow club members stayed at raised their rates $30.00 from 2016 and are raising them another $5 for next year and are requiring a 2- month cancellation policy and charging a $200.00 cancellation fee if cancelled less than 2 months before the event! HI won't mention the name but it's by the airport. Shop around for a hotel but do it early, as in now. They fill up fast.