Parade - who has been there? What was good? Was it OK with kids?

[unclebilly]

I am planning on goingto Parade this year with my 76 930 (I might take the 86 930 instead). I plan to go with my boy who will turn 4 the week after Parade.

What events should we take in? Can we do the Rally?

What about meals? Can you buy food there if you dont preregister for it ($25 / meal for a 3 year old seems a bit steep since he has a small appetite).

What about the concours? Is this for drivers or for trailer / garage queens only?

[304065]

Please see my comments in this thread

Concours, what do they judge ?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I am planning on goingto Parade this year with my 76 930 (I might take the 86 930 instead). I plan to go with my boy who will turn 4 the week after Parade.

What events should we take in? Can we do the Rally?

What about meals? Can you buy food there if you dont preregister for it ($25 / meal for a 3 year old seems a bit steep since he has a small appetite).

What about the concours? Is this for drivers or for trailer / garage queens only?

I don't have kids so I don't know how much activity a 4 year old can take. There is an entire Parade for kids but I don't know what age is appropriate. I can't help you with that.

The food at Parade is crazy expensive and the hotels and local businesses have food, but that is expensive as well. The food at Parade is usually excellent.

The concours has a class for driver cars. It is called the street class. You will still need to spend a lot of time cleaning to have a chance. I know some people that think it is fun. I am driving in from Oklahoma City and after 1,500 miles there is no way to clean it enough to not be embarrassed at any concours.

The Rally is intense. You did not mention a spouse. You will need a navigator to do the rally. You have to read instructions and fill in forms. We did it several times and did not enjoy it at all. The gimmick rally can be fun, but you still have to have a co-pilot.

The autocross is fun if you are an autocrosser. Since your cars are older you are like me, stuck in the production class. The production class allows autocross tires. I am driving 1,500 miles each way. Autocross tires are just NOT highway tires. Don't try driving with tread wear 40 tires in the rain. There is no way at all for any driver to make up the advantage that autocross tires gives over normal street tires. Finally next year the rules change and the guys that run gummy tires will be bumped out of production. I hope the rules change goes through. I quit bothering with the Parade autocross several years ago. I drive on all season street tires. There is just no way to be even slightly competitive against autocross tires.

My wife and I enjoy the driving in the parade tours. We will be driving on a tour for three days.

Parade is a lot of fun. Enjoy your time there.

[DRACO A5OG]

Get ear mufflers for your boy to protect his developing ears :-), he will curse you when he is a teenager looking at those photos but he will thank you when he is in his 30's+, after 5yo he should be okay. Have fun :-)

[Manny Alban]

My kids have been going to Parade since they were born. They absolutely love it. The 19 year old is looking forward to his third year of autocrossing and his 17 year old brother will be doing his first Parade autocross. My 14 year old daughter will be catching up with her 'Parade' friends like she has been every year. My brother is bring his daughter, who will be almost two to her second Parade. There's a kids program and it's really applicable to all ages. The kids, though, also find their own fun. I can't tell you how many guys have said "I didn't realize it was such a family oriented event, I wish I would have brought mine" after they attend Parade solo.

Concours is what you make of it. I entered my 964 and probably came in last place. I say probably because I didn't really pay attention to the scores. I paid to have it parked on the field. Cleaned it and parked it. Simple as that. Had a great time talking to people about it and taking photos.

[Jack Stands]

The parade certainly can be quite a family event, and our kids attended many of them over the years. They do try to have things for the kids to do, and we were always able to find some other member's kids to babysit so we could attend the banquets (which would bore the kids in my opinion). Monterey is also a nice place to visit with lots of other things to keep you occupied. If you check the parade website, they should have information of what is available for the kids (though 4 may be a bit young to enjoy all the events).

I understand that the tours are sold out (or just about so), but it should be a nice week regardless.

[unclebilly]

What would you suggest I do? I guess the drives and checking out all the cars would be the extent of this for us?

[Cooper911SC]

We are taking our 18 MO (will be 20 MO) son Hudson.

This is our 4th Parade. 1st with child in tow.

Driving up from SoCal in the 993. Working on adding anchor for rear child seat now!

We signed up for the welcome banquet.

We are going to spectate at the Concours, this is held at the host Hyatt Hotel this year.
Nice if you have a room there.
I would not recommend showing your car at Parade Concours as a "first Concours" experience. Just enjoy the other cars. I am active in Zone 8 Concours and prepare cars professionally. It is always a fun experience, but is a big time commitment at the top level.

We'll also be at the Concours banquet. They offer child care at a very reasonable extra cost. (This will be our first time leaving Hudson with "strangers" for care! Hope he is OK with it, and us too! Gasp! and hahah for the more expierenced parents).

We are doing the Big Sur drive and the Gimmick Rally.
We figure we can bail out early if Hudson has had enough.

We have also planned a "day off" trip to the Monterey Aquarium.

For food on the tours you MUST order in advance. I hear you on the cost per meal for a 4 YO. How much does he eat? We are sharing with Hudson and supplementing with snacks from local grocery stores.

If you see us at Parade come say HI and ask Hudson for a high 5!

Looking forward to another fun Parade.

Cooper
Car #537

[Cattler]

I went to the DC-area Parade in 2007 with my wife and two kids. The kids, at the time, were 11 and 7. Both loved it and we enjoyed having them there. We didn't AX, etc., but did the opening brunch, club drive, and car show with the kids. My wife and I went to the club dinner without them. It was worth the time and money--and was a good "welcome" for the rest of my family to the club events. I'd go again if local, esp. now that my kids are 17 (leaving for college) and 13 (entering high school).

Best,
Dave