KF3M	Hanover Area Hamming Association Hanover, Pennsylvania

Mini Fest 2007

Sunday - August 19, 2007

It is 0500, it is dark, and there are few drops of rain hitting the windshield as we drive to the Mini Tail Gate Fest. This is not a good sign. We are starting out with two strikes against us. First, a neighboring club has moved its hamfest to the same day. Second, we never got ours sponsored by the ARRL. So we have lost at over half of our customers and we have lost a major source of advertising. And now it looks like rain.

We got set up and enjoyed coffee and donuts before the "big rush" starts. The first vendor showed up about 0630. Usually half of the vendors are set up by now. The first buyers show up just after 0700. So did several small rain showers. It is really slow! Eric, WB3FPL, our ARRL Section Manager showed up. To a non-sponsored hamfest on a rainy day no less. By 0800 this is not looking good. By 0830 is it pouring down rain. Strike three! The entire hamfest moved into the little pavilion for shelter. Actually, it was a very social gathering and we enjoyed the conversation. When the rain ended, everybody just packed up and left. Several of us adjourned to the South Hanover Dinner for brunch.

We made a profit! Only 5 percent of normal - but a profit.

We owe a special Thank You to Mike, N3KTX. Mike took the idea of a mini tail gate fest and organized it into a successful operation. For seven years he gave us an enjoyable and profitable hamfest. But now the demands of a second job and a family that would like to see more of him, he will not be able to continue as Chairman of the Hamfest Committee. We are sad to hear this. Thanks Mike, for seven great hamfests.

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