Corvettes at Carlisle

Car enthusiasts are sure to have found their ideal locale. Just two hours west of the Main Line, the Cumberland Valley is home to an idyllic slope of rolling green countryside dotted with picturesque historic towns. Among those towns is Carlisle, which is at once booming and quaint. The town is host to an annual deluge of car shows, showcasing some of the country’s finest automobiles.

Two of the prime shows in late summer and early fall are the Corvettes at Carlisle, taking place August 25-28, followed by the Fall Carlisle and Auction, from September 28 through October 2.

Seemingly endless lines of shiny Corvettes line the fairgrounds in Carlisle, totaling over 5,000 iterations of the classic sports car. It is Americana at its finest. As part of the celebration, just ahead of Labor Day, red, white and blue Corvettes form an American flag, a sign of respect for its heritage and for the historic grounds—the town has a storied past from George Washington to Jim Thorpe—it stands on. There are also contests, a section just for children, and a designated spot for pampering, complete with massages, for when visitors need a break.

The town gets in on the fun, too. One of the best sights, aside from the neatly lined rows of cars, is the Corvette Parade through downtown Carlisle. Stay afterwards and join the street party, complete with food, music, and, of course, Corvettes. “The town really comes out and enjoys it,” says Cumberland Valley resident Aaron Jumper. In addition to the festivities, shops and the plentiful restaurants have extended hours to accommodate out-of-town guests.

Corvette Parade

Later in the season, a myriad of collector and classic vehicles again descend on the region. Over 2,000 cars turn up for the Fall Carlisle and Auction, many for sale, as well as vendors selling antique and hard to find parts. The entire event has a fair-like vibe, including festival foods like barbecue, funnel cakes and hot dogs.

Fall Carlisle and Auction

While there for either show, many visitors take advantage of what the Cumberland Valley has to offer. Situated along the Appalachian Trail, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking and fishing, and exploring the American Revolution-era history. In town, visitors can find plenty of dining options for a varied culinary palette, including the 1794 The Whiskey Rebellion, located in downtown Carlisle and offering cheeky old fashioned drinks.

For those who want to further explore vehicles, the region has several museums, like the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing and the Rolls-Royce Museum. The Antique Automobile Club and the Rolls-Royce Museum feature beautifully kept antiques, dating back to some of the earliest models, perfect for learning some history after a day of wandering among classics. The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, however, embraces the sports aspect of vehicles, with a comprehensive look at the history and memorabilia from car racing.

Rolls Royce Museum

Whether in the market for a vintage stunner or just in want of appreciating the beauty of automobile craftsmanship over the years, the Cumberland Valley is undoubtedly the perfect combination.  

For more information and to book a room, visit www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/cars.