Carlisle Through The Years

Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club Carlisle Meet Through The Years

Written By: Lindsey Jarvis
Additional Comments By: Keith Jarvis

The Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, PA is the largest event that the Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club participates in and is always a wonderful meet for the club. Having participated in this event since 2001, the group has developed many traditions that are still a part of each year.

Sponsored by Carlisle Events, this car show brings together Mopars from across the years and for as far as you can see. Envision fairgrounds covered with rows and rows of every vehicle Mopar (and relative) ever made. Carlisle Events always include a Women’s tent, Kid’s tent, vendors, and test drives to keep all entertained. Weather, while not predictable, has included everything from blazing sun to pouring rain and everything in between. Based on the club’s designated parking area, fellow show participants complete ballots to vote on all cars. Carlisle Events sponsors awards for the top three cars in each of these parking class sections as well.

Additionally, the 300M Enthusiasts Club sponsors a friendly competition among club cars for a handful of awards. The categories have a large range of criteria and include every car or club member in one way or another. Award categories change a bit from year to year and aim at celebrating the work, the members, and these cars we all love. Club awards are voted on by the attending members and friends and family in attendance using an electronic system.

Beyond what Carlisle Events offers, the 300M Enthusiasts Club has expanded this event to make it the ‘fully loaded’ meet of the year. As the largest club hosted event, Carlisle is known to members as a true showcase of the club. It is a gathering of fellow members with their rides from hundreds of miles away – international members have been known to also attend! While the main event is a car show, for the 300M Enthusiasts Club, Carlisle is much more of a family reunion. Gathering under the tent becomes more of a backyard gathering with casual days spent with fellow members that have transitioned from friends to family. Traditions continue with the annual club awards dinner on Saturday night followed by a toast to members gone too soon. Of course, each night ends with ‘parking lot shenanigans’ as we gather and unwind from the day.

A true testament of camaraderie, Carlisle becomes a live garage where you will find members ‘wrenching’ in the group hotel parking lot well into the wee hours of the morning. Many modifications and detailing sessions have occurred to club member’s cars and there is always someone around to help execute your idea or talk you through an issue. This meet, where ‘sleep is optional’, is bound to be filled with tons of laughs and good times for you and your family. When the weekend is over, there is no doubt you will be tired but have wonderful memories and leave with a hug until next time! Members often say it only takes one visit to get hooked on the experience and then they come back each and every year thereafter.

              
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Considering attending? Need more of a pitch? Check out the recap write-ups from some of our last Carlisle events!

2022 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2021 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2019 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2018 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2017 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2016 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2015 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2014 Carlisle Meet Writeup

2013 Carlisle Meet Writeup

Don’t take our word for it, here is what club members have to say about Carlisle:

“Every July my family and I look forward to going to Carlisle. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and have a fantastic time. We wouldn’t miss it for anything.” – Willard Hoppe

“Carlisle is getting to spend time with people who are as car-obsessed as you are.” – Matt Gendron

“Carlisle to me is all about having a great time being around great cars and being with friends who have become family.” – Bobby DelPonte

“Carlisle to me is hanging with my second family and having an amazing time. Looking how everyone’s cars have progressed from the previous year, meeting new people and looking at their cars.” – Tyler Campfield