'The GAthering of Bolters Fest (GABFest)

    Read stories from past events. You'll find more in the Events Forum.

Southern Stovebolters
2008

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Copyright © 1995-2008
Mechanicsville, Maryland

The First GABFest -- Montana Andy's Stovebolt Gathering -- Montana, 2000

Read some of the stories from past events. Plus you'll find WAY more in the Events forum.

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So, when are we gonna get together?

          Man, if we'd received a nickel every time somebody said that, we wouldn't need sponsors, advertisers or donations! Between that and folks thinking we're a club, we decided it was time to start letting folks in on a not-so-big secret. You see, Stovebolt.com is an electronic magazine, an online community for folks with a common interest (owning, restoring and driving antique trucks) to learn from each other. We're not a club in the usual sense. (We are more a "collective")

          But as the site grew in size and popularity, 'Bolters increasingly wanted to meet in person! Thus we decided that rather than create yet another truck club, we would create a new paradigm that supports existing truck clubs (and events), as well as meets the needs and desires of Stovebolters to gather with their on-line friends! Why rediscover fire? Everybody benefits!

          So, Stovebolters have been gathering on their own in larger and larger numbers over the past few years (starting with Montana Andy's gathering in 2000). The "Texas Connection" (Bolters) have been meeting on their own for several years now. We rallyed the 'Bolters at the ATHS National Show in Baltimore in May, 2006. For the third year, a large gathering of 'Bolters made it to KCMongo's event in Kansas City in September, 2007 -- THE Stovebolt event of the year! The British Columbia (Canada) Bolters have been meeting monthly for a year now. (And more than just meeting ... come see!)

How this works

           We target good shows to piggy back on. We have found the best ones are shows that aren't so big or well-established that they would not be interested in our plan. The small to medium-sized shows seem to work well, as those shows appreciate our help in bringing in trucks that might not otherwise attend. Then, we identify a Stovebolt Coordinator for each particular show. All a coordinator needs to do is make contact with the show staff to secure a parking area for the Stovebolters, act as a show ombudsman for attending 'Bolters and hand out door prizes.

          This works because it happens at the grassroots! Members of the Stovebolt.com online community will need to determine, and coordinate, their own events.

We need Events & Coordinators!

          We can't do all of this ourselves, you know! We need a little help!! If you have a show you think would make a good venue for a GABFest and you are willing to coordinate 'Bolter attendance, let us know! Being a GAthering of Bolters Coordinator isn't as hard as you think (check some of the details from Alvin "AChipmunk" Parris and the Southern Stovebolters GABFest -- he's got it nicely laid out). The beauty is that you don't have to set up an event (that's done by whoever sets up the show we're attending / supporting / freeloading off of...). All you have to do is

• Call the show coordinator to introduce yourself
• Explain what we are doing
• Ask for a reserved parking area for the 'Bolters
• You should be able to answer questions about the area and tell folks where the parking area is (in the Events Forum).
• Lastly, on show day, you get to hold an informal meeting to hand out door prizes (that we send you!)
• Take a group picture.

          That's it!!! So easy, even John can do it!!

          So remember, whenever two or more 'Bolters are gathered... GABFest !!!!

2009 Events & GABFests

          Check the Events Forum for details on each event.

          Be sure to check out our new Calendar -- Know of a good event? Add it to our calendar!

OLD TRUCKS ROCK!