“Renewed enthusiasm for travel among consumers and no major obstacles on the horizon mean the U.S. travel industry will enjoy a good summer travel season in 2007,” the TIA reported, “with leisure travel increasing 1.4 percent over last summer.” By car and by air, Americans are expected to take a record number of trips in June, July and August this year.
Even with an expected increase in air travel, automobiles remain the transportation tool of choice. According to the TIA, automobiles are used to reach about 8 in 10 vacation destinations. For many, the car trips will be trips to see cars and other automotive culture. Below are ten must-see attractions for Blue Oval fans.
1. Carlisle’s All-Ford Nationals (June 1-3, 2007) – Held annually at Carlisle (Pa.) Fairgrounds, the All-Ford Nationals is one of the largest events of its kind and brings together a wide range of enthusiasts to celebrate the best products, old and new, from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. The show – part swap meet and part car show – routinely draws more than 50,000 people, nearly 600 car clubs and approximately 2,500 show vehicles. They say you see everything at Carlisle, even melted tires in the annual burnout contest. This year’s event will include a Mustang Mach 1 gathering and a celebration of the Mercury Cougar’s 40 th anniversary. (Go to: www.carsatcarlisle.com/ford )
2. Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet (June 14-17, 2007) – Held annually in Tulsa, Okla., this powered-by-Ford convention includes everything from Cobras and Fairlanes to Panteras and GTs. The fun includes drag racing, track time, a swap meet and car show. It all begins at the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills and fans out from there. As an added attraction, many enthusiasts head downtown for the annual Tulsarama, a classic car show too big to miss. (Go to: www.midamericafordmeet.com and www.tulsarama.com)
3. Professional Bull Riders’ Dallas Classic (June 23-24, 2007) – As tough as Ford Trucks and as big as Texas, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) provide some of the hottest family-friendly entertainment in America. PBR has over 1,200 bull riders competing in more than 300 sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. There are currently four tours under way, including the Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler. They roll into Dallas in late June for two days of bull-riding, hat-flying action at the American Airlines Center. And Texas, you know, is still Ford country. (Go to: http://www.pbrnow.com)
4. National SAAC/SVTOA in Miller Motorsports Park (July 6-9, 2007) – Look for a convergence of Ford performance in Utah this summer as the Special Vehicle Team Owners Association (SVTOA) holds its national convention alongside the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) national meet (SAAC32). Never before has the largest owners’ club for SVT Mustang Cobras and Ford GTs celebrated a national get-together with the legendary classic Shelby owners’ club. The epicenter of this four-day combined celebration is a notable destination as well. Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, is home to the Ford Racing School of High Performance Driving. It is a picturesque, state-of-the-art facility with the longest road course in North America. With Shelby and SVT together on that track, it will be an event not to miss. (Go to: http://www.saac.com and http://www.svtoa.com)
5. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (J uly 22-29, 2007) – This annual fly-in organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is called ‘the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.’ It routinely sees 750,000 people in attendance, as well as more than 10,000 aircraft. The 55th annual convention will be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis. Highlights will include a commemoration of the Air Force’s 60th anniversary, an aerial demonstration by a USAF F-22 “Raptor” and war bird shows with dozens of historic aircraft, pyrotechnics, and fly-bys. The Goodyear blimp will be in town – for the first time in nearly 20 years – and the Beach Boys will deliver the sounds of summer on Monday evening in an opening-day concert presented by Eclipse Aviation and Ford Motor Company. (Go to: www.airventure.org)
6. Cowboys Training Camp in San Antonio ( July 24-Aug. 8, 2007) – Ford recently extended its title sponsorship of the Dallas Cowboys through 2018 and has expanded the relationship to include title sponsorship of their pre-season training camp. The “Built Ford Tough Dallas Cowboys Training Camp” will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio this year, marking the training camp’s return to Texas. There will be plenty to see, lots of giveaways and fun for all as football fans and ‘ America’s team’ get ready for the 2007 NFL season. (Go to: www.dallascowboys.com)
7. Toby Keith Rocks Sturgis (Aug. 6, 2007) – A Ford Truck man to the bone, Toby Keith will be on the road this summer with his “Big Dog Daddy Tour.” Keith has sold 30 million albums and is one of the most awarded artists of all time. To see him live is to understand why. Named for Keith’s upcoming album which hits stores June 12, the Ford Truck-sponsored “Big Dog Daddy Tour” has more than 50 dates scheduled through September. Catch him in Sturgis, S.D., as the Harley-Davidson faithful arrive for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. There will be a half-million Harley-Davidson motorcycles and owners in town for the annual rally and more than a few Ford F-Series Harley-Davidson® trucks as well. (Go to: www.tobykeith.musiccitynetworks.com and www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com)
8. Built Ford Tough 225 (July 14, 2007) – There are 25 stops on the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series race schedule and, by design, each is competitive and entertaining. The BFT 225 is presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers and held at Kentucky Speedway, a 1.5-mile tri-oval in Sparta, Ky. As with many NASCAR events, the seats up in the grandstand provide great views of the track – but the real fun is down in the infield among the campers. More than 60,000 race fans are expected to attend this year, so arrive early and be ready to cheer for the Fords. (Go to: www.kentuckyspeedway.com)
9. 75th Anniversary of the ’32 Ford ‘Deuce’ Coupe (Aug. 9-12, 2007) – Can’t make it to NASCAR at The Glen? One good alternative might be The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich., at the celebration of two automotive and cultural icons – the 1932 Ford and famous ‘Flathead’ V-8 engine. Activities to mark the anniversary include a swap meet, a concours d’elegance, cruises, specialty vehicle displays, and a gathering at The Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village. Edsel Ford will serve as Honorary Chairman while Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will be Grand Marshal. (Go to: www.deuce75.com)
10. Woodward Dream Cruise ( Aug. 18, 2007) – The Dream Cruise has grown into the world’s largest one-day celebration of car culture and routinely sees attendance in excess of 1 million, with more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods and customs. This celebration of classic metal is literally a rolling museum of vintage Fords. Cruisers will be driving a16-mile route along Woodward Avenue. As in past years, Blue Oval fans will gather in Shane Park in Birmingham, Mich., where Ford will sponsor product displays, entertainment, food and drink. (Go to: www.woodwarddreamcruise.com)
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