News — hamfest

Nov. 4, 2023 was the annual Papa Jack's Trade Day in Tupelo, MS.  In contrast to previous years, the weather was dry, and the crowd was maybe a bit larger than in recent years.  The event began being populated around 7:00 in the morning, officially opened at 8:00, and wrapped up around noon.  As usual, the host club provided tables, doughnuts, and coffee.  This year one of their members also brought a wonderful, steaming hot bean soup, and passed out bowls of that, which was a treat on a chilly day. 

On Nov. 5, 2022, the Tupelo ARC hosted  their annual Papa Jack's Trade Day.  It was held downtown under the pavilion at the Farmer's Depot from 8 AM until 12 Noon. No fee for attending, and no fee for tables makes this a highly cost-effective hamfest.  Basically, since they also provide doughnuts and coffee, all you're out for the trip is a little gas money.  Saturday was a little chilly and windy, and there was a steady rain all morning.  But, thanks to the great pavilion, the event was dry and (if you remembered to bring a jacket) very comfy....

The Cullman hamfest has been a staple of the north Alabama radio community for many years.  In years past, the hamfest was held in the city civic center, which was torn down several years ago.  Supposedly the city was going to build a new civic center, but that effort seems to be slow getting started. The 2022 hamfest was held in Building #1 at the Cullman Fairgrounds.  It is a large, metal building with no air conditioning, and the hamfest was held in July.  In Alabama.  Normally, that would sound like a really bad idea (temps were hovering around 90...

Capitol City Hamfest.  I just needed to get that phrase said on the front end, and be done with it.  Nobody I know actually calls it that, everyone calls it the "Jackson Hamfest", with no further explanation needed.   This is the granddaddy of all Mississippi hamfests, and it (usually) pulls a good crows.  Attendance seemed to be down in 2022, but we were just coming out of the pandemic era, and a lot of folks were probably still skittish about getting out in public.  A lot of folks were still wearing face masks at the event. This took place in...