Hilarious vendors...

[Frank Giger]

Up front: I do NOT want them turned down next year.

For all the big money vendors that are aviation related, I found some of the smaller ones that had nothing to do with it very entertaining.

The Army-Navy surplus tent was nostalgic to the point of tears; things I was issued while in uniform are now "vintage" or have "era" placed after them. I was a bit misty eyed as I wound my watch.

The woo-woo energy nullification guys were so earnest in their stuff that I had to talk to them, though to be honest I couldn't resist stopping the spiel about how electromagnetic rays cause cancer to enlighten them that the secret is to put a layer of guacamole between the layers of tin foil when fashioning a hat, and everyone can do that at home for a very low cost. Nothing - and I mean nothing - stops the gov't rays like a thick coating of guacamole.

I did find the lack of homemade soap merchants distressing. Perhaps it's a Southern thing, but every event that has vendors down here has at least one woman selling it.

The sticker guy certainly had a political leaning, that's for sure. That was kind of a surprise, and it wouldn't shock me if he wasn't back next year.

I'm not mentioning all of them, naturally, as I kind of whizzed past through there a couple times. What was y'all's favorite non-aviation vendor?

[Serenity_Valley]

There's always that guy in the Fly Market with the top hat who has a lot of aviation/military books as well as old pop culture items, signs, toys, things like that. I peruse the merch in case there's a vintage Star Wars item that catches my eye but honestly his prices are way too high. People have internet; they know what things are worth.

The big parts/tools/misc tent is always a must-see as well. Got some bungee cords this year so I could strap my bag chair to the back of my minibike.

[DaleB]

Not hilarious, but the one thing I do not miss one bit are the vendors in the big hangars who pester the crap out of you every time you walk past with their non-aviation, late-night-TV-ad junk. Glasses cleaner, gutter shield, jewelry cleaner, all that garbage. If they want to have those places fill up the un-rented booths just to avoid having empty space, great... but I sure do wish they'd be restricted from accosting people as they walk by.

I will make an exception for the Heaven's Landing babes. Just once.








Maybe twice.

[steve]

The Continental Tire "technicians" had it over the airpark angels this year.

[Low Pass]

The Continental Tire "technicians" had it over the airpark angels this year.
Interesting for sure. But when I asked if they sold aircraft tires, they didn't seem amused. Same thing happens when I shop for Ferraris... Go figure.

[Auburntsts]

Both my wife and I own and ride Harley's and for us motorcycles and flying go hand -in-hand. There was an Indian dealer this year over near the fly-mart, but I've never seen Harley. Strikes me as odd since it's in Wisconsin and all. I'd love to see a local dealer or the MOCO show up with OSH specific H-D merch.

[mazdaP5]

Both my wife and I own and ride Harley's and for us motorcycles and flying go hand -in-hand. There was an Indian dealer this year over near the fly-mart, but I've never seen Harley. Strikes me as odd since it's in Wisconsin and all. I'd love to see a local dealer or the MOCO show up with OSH specific H-D merch.

It's been quite a few years, but I seem to recall Fond Du Lac Harley being around the old tower at some point.

[Joda]

It's been quite a few years, but I seem to recall Fond Du Lac Harley being around the old tower at some point.

Yep, there used to be a Harley display on the northeast corner of the Knapp/Waukau intersection. It's been quite a few years though.

[Airmutt]

I don’t think he technically qualified as a vendor but I miss the one man band guy. He quit coming a few years back due to his age and health. I think his name was Jerry. Whenever I heard is polka music I knew I back home in Oshkosh.

[FlyingRon]

Jerry Slegar. He was threatening not to return for years, but finally did it when his wife passed.

You can buy his stuff on Amazon.

[mc20]

I don’t think he technically qualified as a vendor but I miss the one man band guy. \.

There was a tribute to him at his usual location: 7973

The sign on the bench says "Jerry's Corner"

[Low Pass]

I don’t think he technically qualified as a vendor but I miss the one man band guy. He quit coming a few years back due to his age and health. I think his name was Jerry. Whenever I heard is polka music I knew I back home in Oshkosh.
He sold CDs of his music as I recall.

[glider90]

I was really happy to see the Jerry tribute and speaker set up. The music could be a tad louder, but bravo to who put it together. hope it becomes a permanent tribute. Airventure will always be growing and evolving, but keeping old traditions alive is important.

[mazdaP5]

I was really happy to see the Jerry tribute and speaker set up. The music could be a tad louder, but bravo to who put it together. hope it becomes a permanent tribute. Airventure will always be growing and evolving, but keeping old traditions alive is important.

Absolutely agree. I was touched to see Jerry's tribute. I'm glad folks are remembering him.

[ssteve1]

It used to be a "thing" to have Jerry sign your logbook. I didn't know this until I read it in another forum. I wasn't planning on attending the following year, but thought I should go for no other reason than to get his autograph. Flew in, grabbed my log book, hopped on the yellow tram. Jerry was gone.

[mcdewey]

Not hilarious, but the one thing I do not miss one bit are the vendors in the big hangars who pester the crap out of you every time you walk past with their non-aviation, late-night-TV-ad junk. Glasses cleaner, gutter shield, jewelry cleaner, all that garbage. If they want to have those places fill up the un-rented booths just to avoid having empty space, great... but I sure do wish they'd be restricted from accosting people as they walk by.


Find one of the security folks that usually hang out at the entrance to the hangars. I saw one guy step out into the aisle and grab an elderly gentlemen by the elbow and move him towards their booth. I let the security lady know and when she was done with them their butts were ragged.

[Low Pass]

Absolutely agree. I was touched to see Jerry's tribute. I'm glad folks are remembering him.
And ironically, you miss them most after they're gone... A selfie with him would have been a nice item in past trip photo collections.