For example, cars or autos in the US are often associated with boys and driving cars, and is an area where the middle class has tipped substantially in gender roles. In the 1980s or so, fathers and mothers began to have girls receive trucks instead of the usual dolls as gifts, and "Fisher Price" driving cars began for very young girls in line with increased sports for women.
The Motorsports Research Series also focuses on family businesses (important in disability fields) which function as or grow out of hobbies, and involve small, often "microenterprises" in local communities. To some extent, these businesses are part of state, regional, national and even international networks.
The project exceeded expectations, though all related projects, such as ballsports (or from the traditional women's ballet or ice dancing perspectives) have not been highlighted here. Of course, "gender studies" have exploded in academia (e.g, LGBT), however, often "very, very far ahead" of the thinking of Americans about their own lives and those of their sons and daughters.
SYRACUSE NATIONALS 2003-2015
The report mentions the Syracuse Nationals and highlights the largest show of Hot August Nats, North Country Cruise Circuit, the Rome Area Cruise-Ins, Sylvan Beach Tourism, Ames-Save On,and Harley-Davidson Cruises and Bike Nights, among others.
New Public Field Notes: For the Research Group in 2015
In July 2015, I visited the Syracuse Nationals on the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York, the heart of the state. It bears all the characteristics of the car cruise ins, which are the very familiar and personal nature of the presentations of the often classic and antique automobiles, the personal and polished sales from chrome auto parts to hot rod car magazines (now next to quilting and guns), and the "dress down" or "casual Fridays" nature of the jeans, bermudas or slacks, short sleeves and even hats, bonnets or umbrellas in the 90 degree sun.
Some of the cars are majestic and fill the bill as "awesome", never been seen before, all individually owned and cherished from Chevy Impalas, to Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Corvettes, and Studebakers. Having studied the Hot August Nats, which was a large event with fields of cars (Racino, 2003), I'm pleased to find the Tucci tent and display (a specialty shop in restorations), the Show Cruise and News recreation vehicle (with a family with a daughter with substantial needs; schedules of events and articles monthly), and the national stroller, scooter and wheelchair rental onsite. A special surprise is the M & Ms car, another great photo opportunity!
Touring the State Fair Buildings
The New York State Fairground buildings are filled to the brim, such as our Center of Progress Building, and while the midway is not on, the food booths and automobile and related products form as big an event! For example, I find one of our businessmen who himself uses a wheelchair at a large corner booth (as I look through his restoration photos displayed out front), and snap an American Graffiti shot of Candy Clark in the opposite venue corner. I spend sometime in the New York Tourism building which hosts books describing each area of the state (e.g., Finger Lakes, Catskills, Oswego or Madison Counties, New York State maps) and talk with an owner about his amphibious (all terrain) Army vehicle as I drink one of the fountain drinks for the day.
The Tents Outside: Vendors, Displays and NonProfits
The radio control cars include one that flips 3 feet in the air at a Toyota booth, and model cars (which can be purchased for relatively small amounts), license plates ( e.g. Ford Camaros) and road signs are on sale (even the classic Route 66 sign). The Monster Truck The Reaper, is postioned next to the radio control car booth, and represents another popular, televised and track motorsport. Autos surround the reflecting pool, and the Fairgrounds offer opportunities to talk with the car owners who, car cruise in style, are positioned with their automobile. The Food Bank of Central New York says it's donations are very good at this kind of event (also at the Boilermaker Health and Wellness EXPO in 2015), and the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York is onsite which supports houses for children and their families who are at hospital care.
Concert and Awards Venues at the Syracuse Nationals
On Sunday, the final day, I listen to the Coachmen (radio station band), enjoying one of my first summer tans for an hour concert with 1970s and 1980s favorites, Sunday morning religious music (faith in Jesus), and later the award presentations (with new hot, neon green paint, and the Ford Model A & T) noting over $900,000 charitable giveaways since its inception. The event is impressive, and it is good for the economy, good for the families and just a good networking event for many different kinds of people with an interest in the automobiles, arts and culture, telecommunications, and food industries, among others.
Opportunities for Small and Large Businesses
For example, several graphic artists were selling their "sketches" of people and automobiles, a professional auto detailer was giving a demonstration, and even verizon FIOS (not yet in the Rome-Utica region) was on sales for the day.
Administration: Attendance, Fees, and Drawings
The crowd is mixed (e.g., families, groups of young or older men, mixed couples or friends, single adults) and the first woman I ask is hosting the indoor auto parts booth with her boyfriend. I traveled alone to Syracuse by automobile (nice hour drive or less on the thruway), and find the event comfortable for single woman, though a perfect time for small group conversation. Drawings of $100 every hour are at the entryway of the Fairgrounds, and different raffles, drawings and automobile surveys are onsite. The entry fee was $18.00 that day, and reduced fees for advance purchase at places such as Fastrac. Bob Conners, mentioned in the Car Shows, Car CruiseIns and Bike Nights in Central and Northern New York report (Racino, 2003) is still the Syracuse Nationals Director.
An Ethnic and Racial Snapshot: State Fair Vinegar and Salt Fries
I have my morning french fries (big concession sign) for $4.00 which looked good at the World Series of Boccee last night in Rome, New York. However, the deep-fried french fries are high in cholesterol, and there is no traditional State Fair vinegar, a favorite together with the traditional cotton candy. The order is prepared and served by an "African American" high school boy from Liverpool, New York, and employee for the event to earn extra income. The latter, of course, attracts a few black neighbors (men) to sit in the tent, enjoy the shade, and a young black woman to order at the stand. The "clean cut, middle class" men received a hello and one of the Show Cruise and News (from a former Urban Leaguer, still a major national middle class, black organization in 2014). The percentage of African Americans often hovers around 11%.
Menu Choices: From Restaurant to Traditional Fair Food
Choices abound including an airconditioned restaurant (breakfast and lunch, attractive baskets, choices in tables and seating), lines of booths inside and outside (e.g., motors and cleaning supplies), and traditional pulled pork, tacos, and hamburgers/hot dogs or iced slushies in all flavors, fresh squeezed lemonade, and pepsi, root beer, flavored iced teas ($2.00), and orange drinks, among others.
Advertising, the Fairgrounds and Major Events
Souvenirs, including an impressive design for the Syracuse Nationals for 2015 (on the t-shirts, state fairgrounds sign and advertisements on social media), are also available. Tech seminars (similar to the CRC racing articles) and a National Automobile Hall of Fame were held earlier on the weekend, and a Women's Building was also open (described in previous studies as "crafts for the ladies"). The Fairgrounds itself has a new Veteran's Memorial which includes a poster on Women in the Military.
Field Notes, 2015, JAR
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo opened the event for the weekend, and the Syracuse Nationals sign overlooks the major Route 690 West in the city. The parking is free, and is just a short walk over the bridge and easily links to the major thruway entrances from Buffalo on the West and Albany on the East and New York City to the South.
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