Shelby's move to Gaston County a success

The 2008 Shelby Hamfest is being called a huge success.

According to the Cleveland County Star newspaper more than 1,000 amateur radio enthusiasts were already gathered at Gaston County Park in Dallas County, North Carolina on Thursday, August 21st, even though the shows opening was still 48 hours away.

Celebrating 52 years, the Shelby Hamfest usually hosts between 8,000 to 12,000 attendees annually. It is one of the largest hamfest in the United States, and certainly one of the largest in the Southeast.

The show had moved to the Gaston County Fairgrounds earlier this year after it became apparent that no compromise could be reached with the management of its
longtime home in Cleveland County. Many Shelby businesses have come to rely on income from the annual ham radio gathering and some are dismayed at the way in which the city handled the negotiations that lead the Shelby Amateur Radio Club to move the hamfest away .

Meantime, the Cleveland County Star reported that people started arriving at the park as early as Sunday, August 24th and that the heavy rain has not dampened their enthusiasm to be a part of this annual ham radio event.

The Star quotes Hamfest Chairman Robbie Hamrick. WA4RH, as saying that festivities began Friday night with a free bluegrass concert in downtown Dallas.

The Hamfest itself opened on Saturday morning August 30th Hamrick used the opportunity of his newspaper interview to pass along his clubs gratitude for use of the Gaston county facility He told the newspaper that the sponsors appreciate Gaston County letting them use it and make it their new
home.

As to the views of those who attended. A sampling of posts on several websites and blogs all seem to be very positive. Almost everyone seemed to be saying it was a good crowd, a good hamfest and that the Shelby Amateur Radio Club should not change a thing.

Source: ARNewsline, Cleveland County Star