PCA Parade - how do you feel about going

[ard]

I haven't been to a PCA Parade. I am considering attending the 2023 one in Palm Desert, but I am on the fence.

How do people feel about parade? The PCA magazine devotes an entire issue singing the praises, but that's one side of the story, I feel. I like looking at concours cars but my car is a driver and I am not up to the task of cleaning it to "concours level". Autocross might be interesting; I tried it once but my recent experiences skews more toward the track. Also, and I ACK that this could sound a little spicy but given that PCA's tagline is that "It's about the people", I candidly don't recognize myself as one of "those people" that are shown / featured in the PCA magazine. I definitely don't want to be / come across as a cynic and if I go I want it to be a great experience but I just don't get what's so special about Parade. I've been to Werks Reunion a couple of times and half a day seems about enough for me. I am not convinced that spending a significant portion of my annual vacation on Parade is the most fun I can have.

Chime in. I am willing to be proven wrong.

Cheers

[WolfeMacleod]

I went to Portland Parade in 2006. Loved it. Took 1st in class for autocross.

[GH85Carrera]

I have gone to 20 Parades. I will be going again to Palm Springs. I have many friends from all over the country that I met at Parade. Mostly I go to see the different parts of the country.

I enjoy looking at the Concours cars, but my car is a driver and not a shoe car.

My wife likes the tours that go to interesting locations, on a day trip and back to the hotel.

Palm Springs is going to be HOT HOT HOT in June. Air cooled car drivers will be struggling to stay cool. I will be sure my AC is in prime condition before the long drive to Palm Springs.

[Noah930]

Swing on by afterwards, Glen, and we can go tour some of the local LA canyons.

[Cajundaddy]

I have never been but several friends go every year and it is their social highlight of the year. Many of the folks planning this one in 2023 are very dedicated and want it to be extraordinary. I am sure it will but...

It will be real hot. Searing 110F is likely every day with 90F in the evenings. A cool shirt with fresh ice in the cooler will be pretty handy on the tours. I don't concours and banquets are not really my style but the tours will probably be great and the pool parties will be a blast.

[unclebilly]

I went to Spokane with my 76 930 and my then 6 year old son who is a huge Porsche fan and car nut.

I felt that the event was dedicated to old men and their newly acquired Cayman GT4s which in most cases was their first Porsche.

The concours was the highlight, the rest was not our scene. There were daily driven Cayennes in the concours. At the recommendation of this crowd, I started going to Luftgekuhlt and this is the car event highlight of our year now (apart from racing). We left 2 days early and took our time driving home.

YMMV. We won’t go to another Parade.

[stevej37]

Too far from MI to drive this year. In the past, I have been to the ones in CO, Traverse City, French Lick, Charlotte, Savannah, and Chicago.
Also the one at Monterey, but flew there.

They were all worth going to...imo.

[Rtrorkt]

If anyone is driving through Scottsdale, please drop me a line. I will probably go and would love a caravan to get there.

[berettafan]

Went years ago when it was in Hershey and loved it. I went to see the cars, not meet the people that owned them. That said i've met some fantastic people over the years through the hobby. Yes there are some real duds but if you are passionate about the cars you'll recognize those who are similarly afflicted.

BTW, AX is where you are far more likely to find the good sort of P car owners.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Too far from MI to drive this year. In the past, I have been to the ones in CO, Traverse City, French Lick, Charlotte, Savannah, and Chicago.
Also the one at Monterey, but flew there.

They were all worth going to...imo.

Wimp!

I have been planning my route out. These are the times and distances according to Google Earth.

To Amarillo, TX 260 miles 3hr 50 min
To Clovis, NM 106 miles 1hr 46 min
To Socorro, NM 248 miles 4hr 7 min
Socorro, NM 614 miles day one (10 hours)
Day Two:
Very large Array, 51 miles. 53 minutes
So Low, AZ 157 miles 2hr 32 min
Prescott, AZ 187 miles 3hr 29 min
Aguila AZ 69 miles 1hr 25 min
Palm Springs CA 207 miles
671 miles day two (15.5 hours)

I want to make a side trip to Amboy, CA just to get a photo at the gas station there with my car getting some gas.

I thought about driving over to the most south west point in the continental US at the Mexican border and the ocean. I am still researching if that is really a safe area for a lone white man to be in. I have a photo of me in my car at the Key West monument.

[gduke2010]

To hot. Was in Palm Desert 5yrs ago in May and the temp hit 110*.

[Rtrorkt]

when does registration open?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

when does registration open?

Feb 1st.

[pwd72s]

Last one I attended was '78. No idea how they're done today. Perhaps something a Porsche guy should do at least once?

[ted]

Did 1 parade but found the Rennsport events at laguna Seca much more interesting.
At Rennsport many new Porsches and more Porsche racing history, historic race cars and drivers.
https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/05/17/rennsport-reunion-to-return-in-2023.html

[GH85Carrera]

Parade for me is a chance to meet up with old friends. As a long time PCA member, I have some great friends from all over the country. Really nice folks.

My wife usually goes with me except to the hot ones. She will stay home this time. Attending Parade is one main reason I have had the chance to travel to 41 states and Canada. 2023 is Palm Springs. 2024 will be in Birmingham, AL.

Last year on the way to the Poconos in PA we had the chance to stop and spend the entire day at Gettysburg, and 1/2 a day at Valley Forge. Both are sites all Americans should see. We have been to countless national parks as well. Mexican Hat is another place all Americans should visit, and drive through Monument valley. Arches, National park, and hit just a few of the near endless parks in Utah.

One reason I have kick butt AC in my 911 is to travel through the desert in total comfort. Needles, CA was 118 when I when trough last time.

[ted]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Wimp!
I thought about driving over to the most south west point in the continental US at the Mexican border and the ocean. I am still researching if that is really a safe area for a lone white man to be in. I have a photo of me in my car at the Key West monument.

The most southwestern place in San Diego is called Imperial beach and you will be safe there.
But I would plan to drive up from PS to Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA and relax in the the cool mountain altitudes.

[GH85Carrera]

Google Earth shows Friendship Park as the most southwest place I can drive to. I was there in 2007 for the San Diego parade, but I forgot my camera and I did not have a smart phone with a camera back then.

[ted]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Google Earth shows Friendship Park as the most southwest place I can drive to. I was there in 2007 for the San Diego parade, but I forgot my camera and I did not have a smart phone with a camera back then.

If that's what you like to do, so many nicer places to visit closer to Palm springs.
Go to the TJ bull ring and get some bull tacos while you are down there.

[rrental]

Did the Parade with the 930 in Salt Lake City and Monterey bay. Very well organized event but I didn't feel "at home". Maybe not if you are a long time PCA member and joined like 50 parades before. And yes, lots of new water-cooled stuff. I did enjoy some of the tours and Concours.

From your post I feel that Rennsport Reunion will be more fitting to you.

And yes, when we did the one in Salt Lake it was very, very hot. Can't imagine Palms Springs in mid summer.