An estimated 30,000 classic car lovers from across the nation will flock to Turlock this weekend for one of America's marquee antique auto events, the Turlock Swap Meet.
The 47th Annual Turlock Swap Meet will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, located at 900 N. Broadway.
The Turlock Swap Meet, which is always held on the last full weekend in January, began in 1965 at the McHenry Shopping Center in Modesto. Due to immediate popularity, the event quickly needed a larger venue and made the move to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in 1966.
Since then, the event has been nationally known as the Turlock Swap Meet and has become one of the premier events in the hobby of restoring and collecting antique and classic automobiles. Hundreds of vendors sell antique vehicles, hard-to-find car parts, and everything a discerning gear-head could want.
The Modesto Area A’s, a chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America, has sponsored the event since its beginning.
Due to high attendance, Turlockers should expect heavier amounts of traffic around the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds throughout the weekend. The Turlock Police Traffic Safety Unit has recommended that those not planning to attend the Swap Meet should pick another route around the area, as to avoid frustration with the increased amount of traffic.
Vendors and cars for sale will be staging on Friday afternoon, bringing traffic congestion as early as noon.
Golden State Boulevard and Fulkerth Avenue seem to experience the highest amount of traffic congestion, with vehicles backed up west of Highway 99 in years past.
To help ensure that the Swap Meet runs as smoothly as possible, the Modesto Area A’s enlist the help of both community service clubs and youth organizations, including the Newman High School Future Farmers of America, Turlock Kiwanis Club, Turlock High School Future Farmers of America, and Turlock Police Department Volunteers in Patrol.
No dogs (except service dogs), firearms, or controlled substances are allowed on fairground property. Also, cruising of motorcycles, bikes, cars, golf carts, mopeds, scooters, or any other motorized conveyance is prohibited due to fairground rules. Only small handicapped vehicles designed for and used by handicapped persons are allowed at the event.
This weekend’s event will take place from 7 a.m. To 5 p.m. Saturday and from 7 a.m. To 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10.00 at the gate on Saturday, and $5.00 on Sunday. An ATM is available on site.
For more information regarding the 47th Annual Turlock Swap Meet, please visit www.turlockswapmeet.com.
