Caravan To Hershey From NYC Area

[marc weintraub]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I am setting up a caravan from New York City and the surrounding area leaving Saturday morning. The normal meeting place I use is the first full facility rest area after the Lincoln Tunnel, which is less than a mile from the tolls.

Please contact me. I will be setting up alternative meeting places on route 78 and 81 so people can pick us up on route to Hershey. If anyone knows of decent spots along the way that doesn't take us off the road, please feel free and chime in.

All are certainly welcome.

We will be meeting at the first spot at 7 am which will get us into Hershey no later than 10 with traffic or cops. Last year it took me just under 2 hours, but a string of Porsches has to be a cops dream to pull over, so I tend to take it easy.

Marc

[Jgordon]

What time do the festivities start at Hershey? I've never been before, I was thinking about leaving at 6 or even 5:30. Let me know if I'm just being over-eager.

Thanks.

Jared

[cegerer]

Anybody got a crystal ball to predict the weather? Trying to decide whether to drive the P-car or the truck! -- Curt

[Phoenix]

Marc - I'd love to join you but I'm leaving Friday night (bringing soon 2 b fiance = B&B )

It would be great to organize a time/ place to meet at Hershey. Perhaps we could all park in one specific area?

[marc weintraub]

To All,

The Gates Open 07:30 AM & Close at 4:00PM Rain or Shine.

You enter at the main Hershey Park entrance and you will be charged a $5.00/vehicle parking fee at the gate, although last year I was never charged.

There is reserved Porsche ONLY Parking for more than 700 cars !

Jared... I always anticipate this event, so leaving a bit earlier has never been out of the question. I picked 7am because so many people are leaving from other locations and more importantly.. because my wife will kick my butt if I ask her to wake up even earlier.

I will setup a meeting point at the event if people get split up.

Marc

[Rustbucket]

They are supposed to have a vintage hillclimb event somewhere nearby on saturday and sunday.
Anyone thinking about going to that too?

I like the idea of a central meeting point at Hershey for caravans arriving from points north, south, and west, too.

[marc weintraub]

I was thinking about it, but I am not too sure if I will have the time. Should be fun though.

Marc

[gaijinda]

Marc: I will be coming from LI, so I think I will be coming over the GWB. (I HATE that road!)
Let me know a time and a place further along, and I will meet you fellows..
Thanks, Bill

[jsmarcus]

I wish I could go.....realized today that it is my fiance's bridal shower and I have a part in getting her there.....and I'm going to need to pick her up and get her gifts home somehow.

Sucks, too because I figure by going, I have a better shot at selling my car......anyone interested?

[Jgordon]

JS -- I'm headed there with my father, who I'm trying to convert to the path of light and Porsches. If he's amenable to the idea, he could take your car, and I'd take mine. We could put a "for sale" sign in the window and leave a pad and pen for interested parties. Just a thought.

And we wouldn't work her TOO hard in the hill climb.......

[jbripps]

Hey guys,

What route would you take from Jersey? I'm in Rockland County, and would consider taking my car with you, if I could at least find a spot a keep a lookout for the caravan. I would most likely go up Route 287. Any feedback?

regards,

[David McLaughlin]

Is anyone leaving in the afternoon on Friday? I'd like to find a caravan to ride with. I'll be leaving the Boston area around noon and have been told it would be about 9+ hour ride.

TIA,

[Jgordon]

9+ hours certainly doesn't stand up. I do Boston to NYC in 3.5 hrs, give or take, and Marc's estimating 2 hrs. to Hershey. if you bypass the city, it'll take even more time off the trip.

From Boston, take the mass pike to 84. Bypass downtown Hartford on the Charter Oak Bridge, and take that to 91(the road that goes from hartford to new haven). Get off that at exit 16. That'll put you on the Merritt Parkway, which is usually running about 85 mph. that'll bring you down to the GWB, and from there, you can meet up with the group.

From the math of planning a trip, which is obviously optimistic, it'll be roughly 6 hrs. count on 7.

Hope this helps.

[marc weintraub]

Just wanted to update everyone... We are up to about 15 P-cars and hopefully still growing.

Marc

All are welcome P-cars or not.

[304065]

Man, this sounds like a bunch of fun. Unfortunately I'll be at DE at Pocono with Metro NY and will be unable to make it.

Some of the most fun I have had on public roads is joining up with other Porsches. On the way to Pocono last year I rolled into a caravan of air-cooled cars at around 6:15 in the morning: with the front door and back door covered it was possible to cruise at license-revocation speeds all the way out I-80.

Somebody be sure to grab a picture. Extra points if you set up in "finger four" formation.

JFC

[mike f]

I hope to make it. Is anyone bringing their kids or wife? I may be bringing all or part of them. Post final plans so we can hook up. It should be fun I'm going to try to convince 2 other guys to go also-944's for each of them.

[jthwan22]

Ah, what is at Hershey this weekend?

[marc weintraub]

Hi Mike,

I always bring my wife... she enjoys this event. As far as the kids... I will check for everyone to see if Hershey Park will be opened to the public. If it is, it's a great time for everyone.

If nothing else, there is a free ride showing the process by which chocolate is made and then they give you some free stuff. Just what we all need to be is hyper.

jthwan22, this event is the largest east coast porsche only event held at Hershey park in Pennsylvania.

[marc weintraub]

Hi All,

I will be contacting everyone that has replied to this, but wanted to give everyone a quick update and ask a question.

Since everyone is coming from a different area in the tri-state region, is it a fair assumption that we all want to get to Hershey Park before 10am? I was planning on setting up the first meeting point on the New Jersey Turnpike (first full service area on the NJ TPK after picking up the ticket) at about 7am, but we can change this. I am setting up various pickup points in NJ on RT.78 for other people to meet us as we drive.

Also, some individuals voiced interest about bringing their respective significant others and children. Hershey Park is open for business according to their website (http://www.hersheypark.com/), but please verify this. Also, look at what they charge and make sure you want to spend your money on the entrance fee instead of Porsche parts... just kidding!

Please also note, that I talked to a friend of mine that knows a few State Troopers in New Jersey and as he was told... please tell your friends to keep their speeds down (72 in a 55 should be fine), since they will be out in force. Now, that would make an entertaining photograph... 20 Porsches all in a line getting tickets. We could help beautify the state of New Jersey with the revenue they could make from us if we really put our foot down.

Any thoughts or ideas are always appreciated, so please don't hesitate to email me.

All The Best,

Marc Weintraub

[David McLaughlin]

Jgordon,
I lost track of this message and didn't get a chance to thank you on your input/ directions.


The gate opens for vendors at 6:30, so I'll be staying in the hotel Friday night to be well rested for Saturday. The good part about being a vendor is scoping out the good stuff before the public arrives. The bad part is that I need to sell some wares before I can buy anything. Sorry I'll miss the caravan, besides y'all wouldn't was a bum in a Golf following you anyway.

See you all there,