The 8th Annual All Firebird Lawn Show Saturday July 10, 2010

Guys I won't be going; change of plans and the forecast for tomorrow isn't promising.

Last night there were 27 cars at the cruise/barbeque and probably another 30 in the hotel parking lot, some coming all the way from Montreal. I am going to play it by ear but I won't be leaving really early until I know whether the show is on or off.

Thanks to the Charter Oaks guys (Rick H and Brad B) for coming up to do the cruise and the show. BTW, Rick is also a member of FNONA thank you very much. Here is a brief diary of how the weekend is going so farm

A small group of long haulers arrived at the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Thursday night for the Meet & Greet. There were about 6 trailers parked and a handful of Firebirds parked in the area. Everyone sat out in lawn chairs on the pavement rubbed up with anti-bug spray and 60s, 70s, and 80s music playing in the background. We all talked Firebirds and cruises and shows and repairs and mods and upgrades and parts and prices and all the stuff that Firebird people talke about when they get together on a carefree warm summer night on vacation. Thursday night was just a peaceful easy feeling.

By 2pm on Friday, many Firebirds and trailers were arriving at the show hotel Fairfield Inn and Suites. Sitting in the hotel lobby, it seemed that Firebirds just kept coming and would never end. By 4pm, the lot was fairly full of Birds and trailers. Very soon after, all of the Firebirds left the hotel and headed north.

Most everyone attended the Friday Night Cruise; I think it is fair to say that everyone had a very good time. We met at the Saratoga Auto Museum and started arriving around 4:30pm with the last cars arriving around 5:15pm. The SSPD were there early, but kept getting called away to protect the citizens and fight crime. They were called out twice before the criminals stopped acting up!

At last, we had 3 of Saratoga's finest lead us in a round about way through winding country roads at normal speed limits to the Saratoga Springs Police Benevolent Association picnic grove and hall. This was all thanks to FNONA VP Joe Carey who is also one of Saratoga Springs' finest. Crazy Herb's Texas Barbecue was already there and waiting to serve us. His two hot honeys did a great job and Herb was right on the ball. Although we arrived late (about 5:45) and I told him we would be there at 5:15 pm, he never complained and served everyone up with exellent food at reasonable prices very quickly and in a very efficient and polite manner. I did not hear a single complaint. I for one can say the pulled chicken barbecue was excellent and a with nice large portion for $6.00, it was a very good meal.

The driveway into the PBA grove and the parking lot were all paved so there was no dust, no dirt, and no smoke from Crazy Herb. Behind the main building is a large covered pavillion with multiple picnic tables. Some cruisers opted to dine in the pavillion, while others opted to dine in the air conditioned banquet hall at a bunch of banquet tables.

FNONA member Sandy Smith brought 125 2010 show t-shirts for early purchase and many of the cruisers took advantage. Many purchased 2-3 t-shirts each and remarked on what a great t-shirt it is. Most loved the black tee and loved the metal flake gold phoenix with red lettering. A few tall slim blond ladies bought a 2X and 3X t-shirt for themselves. I remarked that those shirts were way more than they needed, but they smiled and said, 'night wear'.

Crazy Herb was happy with the turnout, the cruisers were happy with the SSPD escort, and the PD was happy when FNONA member Sandy Smith handed each of the 3 officers a 2010 show t-shirt paid for by FNONA as a token of our appreciation for their help getting us safely from the Museum to the grove.

FNONA held a 50-50 raffle for just the Cruisers present at the Grove. Total pot was $137 dollars and one lucky cruiser took home 1/2 of the pool.

After everyone had eaten their fill and the sun was starting to set on a beautiful warm cloud-free summer night in Saratoga, most cruisers jumped on I87 South and headed for the Show hotel, the Fairfield Inn and Suites at I87 exit 12 in Malta. The hotel lot was full of Firebirds from a number of US states with all generations represented including stock and modified examples, and a few Firehawks. There were a number of trailers throughout the lot. And there was a large contingent from Quebec Canada with about 8 Birds that had made the group cruise south including a few Canadian trailers.

At about 8:30, 3 members of the staff of the Fairfield Inn and Suites walked among the Firebirds, assisted by FNONA member Keith Fuerst to describe the different body styles and generations and differences. The FFI staff consisted of 2 young female honeys and 1 young car guy. They totally enjoyed feasting on Firebird eyecandy. They asked me how to decide which car should win, since they were not Firebird experts or even Firebird owners. I told them to walk on the field, do not try to judge the cars, just look at all the years and generations and colors and body styles and graphics styles and wheels and etc. After you have seen each one under the hood and in the interior and the body, think to yourself, if I could get away with it, which one would I like to steal and take on a 200 mile joyride?? :-) :-D :cool: :eek:

The girls and the guy all smiled and knew what I meant. Now they walked the parking lot with purpose and excitement and wonder and joy. After spending a lot of time with each car and even talking with many of the owners, the young Fairfield Inn and Suites staff all agreed they would most love to steal the 1968 Blue Firebird driven by another young couple. The FFI foks made the presention to the young couple and everyone in the crowd applauded and approved of the choice.

It was close to 10:00 pm when the dark ominous clouds started to roll in from a distance and the party started to break. All in all, Friday night went off without a hitch and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Satuday will be a day for friends and families to check out Saratoga Springs, Lake George (with the of 6 Flags indoor water park), Saratoga Lake, Malta Drive-In, shopping, golf, fishing, the Saratoga Racino and Vipers night club, and all of the other things the area has to offer. Then it is back to FFI and prep the Firebirds for the Sunday show. Sunday is supposed to be a nice 82 degree day, mostly sunny with low humidity, so it should be a great show day.

Thanks to all who came on Thursday and Friday and attended the Meet & Greet and the Cruise. Thanks all who are toughing out the Saturday rain and storms and staying for the Sunday show. Thanks also to those who will leave very early on Sunday morning to come to Saratoga and be part of our All Firebird Lawn Show, a show that is becoming an annual sojurn to so many Firebird enthusiasts from so many states and Canada. It has truly become an annual meet of Firebird friends and family to enjoy Firebird Nirvanna with low stress and friendly people.

2010 8th Annual All Firebird Lawn Show Commemorative Show T-Shirts in size SM, MED, LG, XL are just $15. XXL and XXXL shirts are $18. These tees are Hot Hot Hot!!! They are all black with Metallic Red Lettering and a Metal Flake Gold Phoenix! This is a One Year Only offering. All are in stock and will be available at the registration trailer. We have a few t-shirts left from 2009 and 2008 and DASH PLAQUES left from previous shows which will be available at blow out prices, so grab those too! T-Shirts will be available at the registration trailer throughout the day while supplies last.

A few 2010 All Firebird Lawn Show T-Shirts are still available.
Jump here and get yours now! http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=firebirdnationofnorthamerica/show.html

Show T-Shirts sold like crazy this year. New and for the first time ever, T-Shirts were Black with Red Letters and a large Gold Phoenix. (See picture above) Some T-Shirts are still available if you would like a few more or if you missed the show due to the Rain Date. If you want a Show T-Shirt, just follow the link above, get the form, fill it out, mail with your check or money order. Quantities are Limited so hurry!

thanks,
Tom.