We have always gone to GoodGuys Columbus (only about 1.5 hrs away)
but this year decided instead to go to Carlisle (as noted, it's the same
weekend) for the first time since when HemiDenny's green Hemi Duster
was first completed in 1997. It was featured on the cover of Mopar Muscle
the week before we arrived.
The Columbus GoodGuys is the largest Goodguys in the country and if
you go, make sure you cruise the host hotel from 5:00 pm until as late
as you can stand it. There is a constant stream of cars cruising through
and the parking lot is like a collection of best-of-show winners.
You can eat outdoors - they have a huge food service and bar in the parking lot.
I have had a beer in the hotel bar with Boyd Coddington (RIP) and ate dinner in
the shade of the front portico at the table next to Chip Foose. Dennis Gage walked
by while we were checking in. Everybody is there.
The cars attending are from all over, including the west coast. If you
read Rod & Custom, The Rodder's Journal, Hot Rod, Car Craft etc there
will be many familiar creations right at your fingertips.
If you make a weekend of it, on the same dates, the Arthritis Foundation
hosts a massive car show on the west side of Columbus in Dublin at the
Wendy's Restuarant corporate headquarters that features mostly exotics
from Italy, Germany etc. The whole city is on automotive overload.