Hamfest naming conventions are funny things. The Memphis Freefest is actually in Bartlett, TN, and the Birminghamfest is actually in Trussville, AL.
Trussville is a really good town for a hamfest. The Trussville Civic Center is well located, and comfortable roomy for a hamfest.
The March 15/16 event opened to vendors (all vendors this year were of the flea market variety) around noon Friday, and the doors opened to the public at 4:00, and closed at 7:00. Saturday was 8:30 until 3:00. There was an average crowd Friday night, a good crowd Saturday morning, which (as is the custom) petered out around 1:00, and by 3:00 closing most of the vendors were packed up and just waiting to hear the grand prize announced.
The Birmingham club did a good job of hosting. They had members on hand with dollies and strong backs to help load in, and they had a refreshment table with coffee, soft drinks, water, and snacks ($1 donation) on the side. The snack table was manned all Saturday morning, with two coffee pots going at all times. (It's a good host who keeps the coffee flowing.)
The vendor list was a bit smaller than usual this year. One club member told me there was a date conflict with Sieverville, and the commercial vendors were already booked to go there. Hopefully next year the dates will be further apart.
Date conflict has been a real issue in 2024 for many hamfests. One vendor mentioned this happens every four years, and always in a leap year. I don't know if that is accurate or not, but my guess is next year we'll see less date conflict in our area.
Allen. Allan, and Allen at the Birmingham hamfest, 2024. The two on the right are with the University of Alabama Amateur Radio Club.
This was a corner of our booth Saturday morning.
When you have a badge with a title, you know it's official.
No matter how hectic it is, or how many times she's said "Good morning", she's always got a smile on.
