In 1973 two friends, Bill Miller and Chip Miller (no relation) devised a plan to start an automotive event that served the interests of “car people like us.” Less than a year later in September of 1974, on a rented Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, their vision and a company called the "Fleamarketeers" came to life with an event known as Post War ’74. 50 years later, Post War ’74 (now Fall Carlisle) and the Fleamarketeers (now Carlisle Events) are thriving and stronger than ever.  

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of Carlisle Events in 2024! The celebration spans the entirety of the 2024 Carlisle Events car show season. When you come to our shows this year, you’ll notice commemorative signage, merchandise, photos, and more! Each show will have a unique ode to the 50th Anniversary, so be sure you check out the event guide per show! Debuting in 2024 is the ALL- NEW Carlisle Events Historical Timeline Wall located in Building T that will be completed by Spring Carlisle.

Want to be a part of the celebration? We’re looking forward to some feedback from you by way of video submission/testimonial specific to your memories of Carlisle and your event(s) of choice. You can submit a video or set up an interview time to share your memories of Carlisle Events! We couldn’t have done the last 50 years without you! 50 is nifty and we’re looking forward to seeing at Carlisle very soon!

When you pre-register, you cruise up to the Showfield Registration office, bypass one line, pick up your packet and return to your car. Place the registration on your window and you and your guest can cruise onsite with minimal delay.

Save time and get your car on the Showfield!! Visit the Carlisle Registration Store to pre-register TODAY!

Pre-Register your Car

The Import & Performance Nationals Automotive Flea Market is a great place to sell the parts, accessories, automotive memorabilia and literature that have been collecting dust in your garage. Put your parts in front of thousands of Import & Performance enthusiasts and buyers. If you are a vendor, be sure to take advantage of the following offers:

- Book vending & car corral space(s) prior to 45 days of the event at a discounted rate.
- FREE Product Listings in the Event Guide & the Carlisle Events App.
- Early bird renewal discount of 10% when you renew your space(s) at the event up until Friday after the show. 

If you have any questions or need helping booking your space(s), give us a call at 717-243-7855. 

Buy Your Vending Spaces Online   More about Vending at Carlisle

Spaces will become available online on August 29, 2023. The renewal deadline date is August 15, 2023. Please call 717-243-7855 with any questions.

 

The Import & Performance Nationals car corral provides classic to late model vehicles in all varieties of make, model and condition for sale. You can shop, compare and make the deal directly with the owner. Notary Service will be available. If you need anything else for the purchase of a vehicle, our staff in Guest Services can provide a contact list. If you are a car corral vendor or would like to become one, be sure to take advantage of the following offers:

- Book car corral space(s) prior to 45 days of the event at a discounted rate.
- Early bird renewal discount of 10% when you renew your space(s) at the event up until Friday after the show. 

Please Note: All vehicles in the corral must be for sale, in running condition and cannot be displayed on trailers. Spaces are approximately 10’ frontage x 20’ depth per outside space for the entire event.

If you have any questions or need helping booking your space(s), give us a call at 717-243-7855. 

Reserve Your Car Corral Space Today   More about Vending at Carlisle

Spaces will become available online on August 29, 2023. The renewal deadline date is August 15, 2023. Please call 717-243-7855 with any questions.

Steve Saxty worked as a designer for Ford in the UK and later in various roles for BMW, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Nissan, Volkswagen, and more. He eventually turned his focus to writing. Steve will give a presentation at the BMW-CCA tent each day of the show at 2pm. His books will also be available for purchase at the event. 

Outside of that, he will be available for autographs as well as meet & greet opportunities or just to talk cars. Three of Steve’s books focus on BMW and he will be in the BMW-CCA tent at the show. However, Steve will be more than happy to speak to anyone about any of his automotive experiences.

Learn More about Steve Saxty

Ricky and Krystal Licerio, better known as Modded Motors on their social channels, will be at the show on Saturday. Their channels primarily deal with Alfa Romeos but they have other automotive content as well. The majority of their content is based on the Giulia and Stelvio where they critique the vehicles, modify them and just generally have fun with them!

Ricky and Krystal are coming to Carlisle as guests of the Central PA Alfa Romeo Club and will likely spend the majority of their time in that area of the Showfield. If they aren’t with the Alfas, they will probably be out roaming the event and filming content. You can learn more about them and their adventures on their social channels!

Modded Motors YouTube                       Modded Motors Website

Every year the Import & Performance Nationals has a variety of rare and unique vehicles such as foreign market models as well as other cars and trucks that aren’t common in the US. We’ve decided to gather as many as we can for a special indoor display called The Freak Show. If you have something that you think fits the bill, we encourage you to apply at the link below.

Vehicles in this display will be featured indoors and receive other special perks. As part of this exhibit, we will be creating a special logo that will be used in our series of limited-edition decals, display banners and more. The decals will be FREE as part of the Passport Program. The banners will be displayed in the building during the show and can be purchased in Guest Services. If you’re one of the lucky ones to get a banner, we will ship it to you after the show. Typically, only about 5 banners are produced per design so if you see one you like, go to Guest Services first thing Friday morning to reserve yours!

Apply for the Featured Vehicle Display                     Register for the Showfield

We’re calling all Rabbit and Golf owners to bring their cars to Carlisle in May 2024, which will be exactly 50 years since the Rabbit/Golf went on sale in May 1974. Showfield registration is open now for 2024. If you register before March 26, you’ll save 10% and you’ll get your credentials in the mail so you can drive right in without waiting in any lines. If you have a Rabbit, Golf, Caddy or Cabriolet/Cabrio that you think stands out, we encourage you to apply to be considered for the special indoor display. Links to both options are below. 
 
A unique logo will be created to commemorate the festivities and that logo will appear on a limited-edition decal, cool banners and more. The decals will be available for FREE as part of the Passport Program. The banners will be on display in the building and will be available for purchase during the event at Guest Services.

Register for the Showfield                            Apply for the Featured Vehicle Display

Annually, the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals host a display deemed "Vehicles from Around the World" within Building T. The display ranges from the best of the best imports, tuners and performance sport compacts. It is open to all makes and models to apply. Many featured display cars are featured in national magazines as a result of being on display. There is no charge to participate if your vehicle is selected, admission is provided as well as truck and trailer parking. The international flavor of the display offers something for everyone. Don't miss out! 

Featured Vehicle Display Consideration - Apply Today

The Import & Performance Nationals Race Car Paddock has been an annual highlight area of the event for several years and the vehicles are treated as a Featured Vehicle Display. That means you can display your race car at no charge! The Race Car Paddock is reserved exclusively for vehicles that are set up for racing including road racers and autocross to drag and rally cars and more. See the cars as part of a true garage display within the Pavilion on the east side of the grounds.

This display is hosted each year by our friends at the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association but all true race vehicles are welcome to apply. For those that have the urge to get some track time in during the event, you can do so by taking a few laps on our onsite autocross. 

Experience drive through judging at this year's show! Judging is hosted by eJudged.com. Join them for a weekend of fun! Last year they judged hundreds of vehicles without a hitch and the process gets better each year. Register your car today for the Judged Showfield!

If you are a winner, you can see in person as the winner's list will be posted at Guest Services on Saturday night as well as online at the same time. Check the event guide for the exact time.

Also, if you are not on-site to receive your award, you may either pick it up during regular business hours at the fairgrounds or we will ship awards for $20 each. We hope you will join us throughout the weekend, however; to celebrate the vehicles that are honored as winners.

Register for the Judged Showfield  Judging Standards    

If you have already registered for the Showfield and need to make a change, please complete our online "Update Showfield Vehicle Registration Form"

Not sure whether to register your car under a stock or modified class? Check out our handy guide to help you make that decision before registering!

For over twenty years, the partners of eJudged, have been actively judging car shows. Starting as enthusiasts, the eJudged team has built award-winning vehicles that have been featured at SEMA, CES and national automotive events. Now they are on the other side using a state-of-the-art administrative tool that calculates results in real time. eJudged has been used for Carlisle Events Car Shows, the Mothers Shine Award at SEMA, Bimmerfest, OC Car & Truck Show and much more!

Part of what makes Import & Performance Nationals what it is, are the clubs that attend! If your club is not yet deemed an Officially Recognized Club, the first step is to apply. Officially Recognized Clubs have the ability to rent a club tent as a place to hang out and socialize throughout the show!

If your club gets a club tent, you also have the chance to compete in our Hemmings Club Challenge & Coolest Club Contest! The Hemmings Club Challenge Award is presented to the three largest official clubs, based on the number of registered show vehicles. The Coolest Club Contest is based on if we feel like your club tent is the place we'd want to hangout in. Whether that be the atmosphere, decorations, or anything else that makes the club stand out!

We hope to host your club gathering at Import & Performance Nationals this year! 

Register to be an Officially Recognized Club  Learn More about the Club Program

NICOclub.com, the largest and most comprehensive online resource for Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun enthusiasts once again is coming to Carlisle for their annual NICOfest at the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals show. Their draw gets bigger and better each year and pulls attendees from the West Coast, Florida and Chicago. Reach out to NICO today to make this year even bigger and better. Please note, you must be registered as a non-judged participant at minimum during Import & Performance weekend to be eligible to participate in track activities with NICO. Make sure to review the NICO Club Rules before attending. Helmet guidelines have been updated and outdated helmets will be refused entry.

Register for NICOfest    NicoClub on the Web    Register for the Showfield

Made popular by video games like Forza, Drift Limbo will take over the drift course on Saturday of event weekend. Back by popular demand, this competition incorporates the skill of the driver to not only control the car but to also drift through a set window of space. The way drift limbo works is two cones will be setup as a window to drift through. Each competitor will have to drift through the window. As the competition rounds progress the window will slowly get narrower until a winner is crowned.

A competitor must be registered for the non-judged Showfield at minimum and have completed the necessary registration and tech through our friends at NICO Club at least one hour prior to this activity's start. Sign-up for the contest at the NICO Club tent! Join us at the autocross track Saturday for the fun. Refer to the Event Guide for the official time (published two weeks prior to the event).

View the Past Winner's List  View the Event Guide 

On Saturday evening of Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals, visit the track to get your fix for tire burning excitement during the Rolling Burnout & Donut Contest!

This contest will feature multiple ways to get your burnout going. Participants can chose from the following:

1. Do a rolling burnout down the track!
2. Do a donut on the fresh donut pad!
3. Do a wicked rolling burnout into a donut onto the pad! 

The contest is limited to 10 contestants and sign-ups will begin Friday at Guest Services. You must be a registered participant at the show and provide your driver’s license & insurance card when signing up. Refer to the Event Guide for the official time & location (published two weeks prior to the event). 

View the Past Winner's List   View the Event Guide 

Don't miss the Rolling Exhaust Competition as cars will start in a line behind the pavilion (close to Gate 6) and roar as they accelerate up the hill to the north side of the grounds. This contest will be judged but take note, the best overall sound will take home the prize, not necessarily the loudest!

The contest consists of two qualifying rounds, with each round hosting 20 cars. You MUST sign up in Guest Services prior to each round. To participate, you have to be a registered participant at the show and provide your driver’s license & insurance card when signing up. From the two qualifying rounds we will select approximately 20 cars to move on to the finale on Saturday. You must participate in a qualifying round to have a chance to participate in the finale! 

Refer to the Event Guide for the official times & location (published two weeks prior to the event).

View the Past Winner's List  View the Event Guide 

Instead of measuring from the driver door or the roof, we figure the best way to see who is lowest is to make them limbo. We will have a vehicle limbo bar set-up in multiple increments. Each car or truck must make their way under the bar without smoking tires and without knocking the limbo bar over. The last vehicle not to knock off the limbo bar wins!

To participate in the contest, you must sign-up at Guest Services. A show sticker (i.e. registered for vending or showfield), driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. The activity takes place Saturday in front of the stage. Refer to the Event Guide for the official time (published two weeks prior to the event).

View the Past Winner's List  View the Event Guide

Getting a FREE souvenir has never been easier or more fun. To win the limited edition souvenir, all you need to do is walk around and enjoy the show. As you’re checking out all of the cool rides, simply stop by the Checkpoints for each country and get your Passport stamped. Your Passport can be found in the FREE event guide, which is available at the various gates as well as Guest Services. Once you have all eight (8) stamps, simply proceed to Guest Services to receive your Import & Performance Nationals souvenir glass. Please Note: There is limited quantity of glasses. First come, first served. You can only participate once!

Exciting news for 2024: We're introducing a special prize for kids aged 12 and under who successfully complete the passport program!

Carlisle Events' staff will be roaming the Import & Performance Nationals Showfield on Friday of event weekend in search of their ten favorite vehicles to become the newest members of the Carlisle Elite. To be picked for the Carlisle Elite, your car doesn’t have to be rare or a high dollar, professional restoration. In fact, the only real criteria is that it catches our collective eye. Make sure your car is registered and parked on the Showfield on Friday to be eligible.

View the Past Winner's List  Register for the Showfield

If you’re coming to the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals to look at the classic and collector cars on the Showfield, don’t forget, not far from those rides are an amazing mix of automotive flea market (a.k.a. swap meet) and midway vendors.  

Learn more about our event vendors and their location(s) today by downloading the Carlisle Events App or once available online (or in person), check out the vending pages and map of our event guide. Online, the guide and map are posted about one week prior to the event.  At the event, it’s available at Guest Services or any main point of entry.

Check out the Event Guide/Vendors       



Download the Carlisle Events App

The Manufacturers Midway is central to the action of the show and is the place to find new parts and accessories from the top new parts dealers. Many vendors choose Carlisle as the place to debut new products and project cars; be sure to visit the Midway and to see what’s new this year!

Reserve Your Midway Space

When you bring your kids to this year's Import & Performance Nationals, there will be different things they can participate in at the show! Check them out below: 

Kid's Goody Bag- Available for pickup at Guest Services for kids 12 and under! Parents will receive a goody bag coupon for each kid when they pick up their Showfield Goody Bag or coming in with a spectator admission ticket. Some goodies within the bag are a coloring book, free cup with a coupon for a free drink at the food court and much more! Limit one person, child must be present. 

RC Car Giveaway & Kids Cash Grab- Kids 12 and under can sign-up to potentially win an RC Car! When signing up for the giveaway, they are also eligible to be chosen for the Kid's Cash Grab. The Giveaway sign-up is located in Guest Services. Winners of the RC Car & kids selected for the Cash Grab will be contacted via phone!

Kids Choice Award- Kids can cast a vote for their favorite car within Building T and the owner of the car will get an award!

We hope to see your whole family at the show!

More Kids at Carlisle Information

Carlisle Events takes pride in the partners we work with and we’re excited to partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley again in 2024.

This year Ronald McDonald House Central Valley is raffling a 2024 Corvette Stingray, a 1962 Corvette, a beautifully restored 1970 Chevelle SS, and even a Hawaii Getaway Package. Proceeds from their fundraiser will go towards providing a “Home Away From Home” for families while their children are being treated in a local hospital. Each room at the Central Valley Ronald McDonald House has two queen size beds, private restroom and satellite TV. Guests share common areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and other common living areas. Some families stay for a few days, while others stay for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of their child’s illness.

Tickets start at only $5 for 1.  Use code CARLISLE for special ticket offer!

Click Here to Enter

Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals welcomes our sponsors and partners, where the industries best companies share their passion for automobiles with enthusiasts. Learn more about our sponsors and how they can help you! 

JJ Best Banc & Company - Offering financing opportunities for your next collector car. 

Hemmings Marketplace - The Marketplace for buying and selling anything collector car.

Visit all our Sponsors and Partners

We are happy to introduce CarShowGear.com—your go-to spot for year-round Carlisle Events merchandise! Brought to you by our exclusive Merchandise Partner, Green Mountain Monogram. Dive into a collection of premium gear celebrating all things Carlisle Events! From comfy apparel to past event t-shirts to must-have collectibles, it's the perfect way to stay connected to Carlisle Events all year. As always, you can still buy your exclusive Carlisle Gear at any show this season in the Carlisle Store within Building T. 

Shop Now

Thanks to Scootaround, the exclusive scooter and wheelchair rental service for Carlisle Events, you can rent mobility scooters & wheelchairs for the event. Scootaround allows you to reserve your scooter in advance online or by calling 1-888-441-7575. The only way to guarantee scooter availability is to reserve on line prior to the event!

Please Note: Online reservations close the Friday before the event week. 

Reserve a Scooter

For decades, buying a ticket to a car show at Carlisle meant arriving the day of, pulling out your wallet and paying cash at the gate. While that still is an option, you can plan ahead and purchase your admission ONLINE! When you purchase tickets online, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail with a bar code. This code will be scanned at the gate for access. It’s that simple! Oh, did we mention that tickets are cheaper online and that means the money you save can be used in the automotive flea market or can help you buy a car within the car corral. Buy now with total confidence and enjoy the show! 

Buy Tickets, Event Passes or a Season Pass     Read the Spectator Rules

A $5 off discount will be applied for active, reserve or retired military members who purchase a single day spectator admission ticket in person at the Fairgrounds. The $5 off savings is offered for service members who show a valid military ID when purchasing and is for only the ID holder and their single day admission. This discount is available for in person purchase only to any Carlisle Events hosted show during the current season.

We truly thank those that are currently serving and for those that have served for us!

Read the Spectator Rules

Have you ever walked the grounds at Carlisle, lost beyond belief and wondering where your favorite show cars are, or how to find that vendor you’re looking for? Carlisle Events has figured out a way to solve your navigational challenges via the Carlisle Events app. Available for FREE download on the iTunes store AND Google Play store, the app is your on the go tool kit for all things Carlisle Events! Find vendors, check out the event schedule, interact on social media, buy tickets, get directions and review the event guide! Know before you go and with this app, you’ll never be lost at your car show of choice again! 

Carlisle Events App (Apple Devices)  Carlisle Events App (Android Devices)

Also available, the Carlisle Auctions app. This app allows you to stay current with Carlisle Auctions! View consignments, search for cars and get the details on all the great vehicles being offered at Carlisle Auctions. Plus, during live auction hours, you can review the run list and even watch a LIVE web stream of the fun. Download the Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions apps today and we’ll see you at the show!

Carlisle Auctions App (Apple Devices)

The Carlisle PA Fairgrounds is a large footprint that can be a challenge at times, even for the most experienced attendee. 82 acres, 16+ miles of paved roadway, vendors and cars everywhere…it’s easy to understand how you may start wondering to yourself “where did I see that part or car I want to buy?” “How do I get my purchase from its space to my truck?” “How am I going to do this?” 

Never fear, because we’ve compiled a helpful list of ways that enhance your on-site experience at Carlisle! Thanks for joining us and enjoy your time at the show!

1. BRING CASH - The more the better. It’s hard to negotiate a deal without being able to pay.
2. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES - It’s a lot of walking.
3. SUN BLOCK/DRINK LIQUIDS - You’ll be in the sun all day. It’s important to protect yourself and stay hydrated, especially if your weekend outdoors is your first prolonged exposure to the sun for the year.
4. REMEMBER THE SPACE - Take a picture of the space location or write it down. Every space at Carlisle has a disk to designate the space. Look down and you’ll see the space marker. Write down the letter and number. Don’t try to remember the space or the surrounding area. You’ll spend the rest of the day looking for it.
5. COME EARLY - Rare parts and great deals typically happen for the first person to find them. Set up day(s) and the first day of the event are for the serious shoppers.
6. ACT FAST - If you see a great deal, grab it. If you plan to come back later, it will probably be gone.
7. NEGOTIATE - It’s a flea market so don’t be afraid to make a REASONABLE offer.
8. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED - Chances are good that you will find something you weren’t planning to find, so keep your eyes open.
9. LOOK EVERYWHERE - Even if you are looking for parts for your brand of vehicle, don’t walk past the vendor selling parts for other models or generations just because you assume there’s no way the vendor has what you want. Give their space a look too. They might not only have it, it may be cheap since it’s not what they typically sell.
10. USE THE CARLISLE EVENTS APP - Use the FREE Carlisle Events app to easily find your way back to a vendor (if you know the row and space). You can also use it to check activity schedules, register for other events, connect with fellow enthusiasts via social media, browse a digital copy of the event guide and more.
11. STAY LATE – There are always deals at Carlisle, but sometimes the best ones happen early on day 1 of a show, or late on its final day. Vendors are typically more willing to negotiate when they are packing up – especially large items.
12. BRING A SHOPPING LIST - Our memories aren’t as good as we think. Write it down. You can even make a list on your phone. Take pictures of what you need.
13. BRING A BAG, CART, ETC. - Parts will get heavy so have a way to carry your purchases. Ask the seller if you can leave heavy parts until later.
14. HAVE IT HAULED - Carlisle Events offers FREE* parts hauling. Keep that in mind if you’re looking at an engine, transmission, truck bed, etc.
15. FREE TAXI SERVICE – Need to get from point A to point B but don’t feel like walking it? Carlisle Events offers a FREE* taxi service. Dial 717-960-6429 to secure a ride. 
16. ASK! - If someone has parts for a vehicle but not the ones you need, ask if the seller has it. It might still be in his truck or at home. Even if he doesn’t, he might know someone who does.
17. KNOW THE VALUE - Do some homework on the parts you’re looking for so you know if the price is a good deal.
18. AVOID THE CROWDS - When you arrive, go to an out-of-the-way area to start rather than following the herd.
19. WALK IT ALL - Don’t miss any rows. The Carlisle Fairgrounds isn’t a perfect grid so make sure you hit every row and space.
20. ADVERTISE - Wear a hat, shirt or signboard that spotlights what you’re looking for.  It just might create a conversation, especially if what you’re searching for is obscure and/or rare. 

*While parts hauling and taxi service are free, donations are graciously accepted.  Donated money goes directly to the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation. 

 

Are you looking for some items that you may have seen at the event? Well, we may have you covered on our eBay store, Carlisle Overstock! Here we list any "extras" that were available at the events. Items range from special display banners and license plates to unique show diecast and stickers! You never know what you may find...

Carlisle Overstock eBay Store