The Shelby Hamfest

A little history

The first hamfest was held at Brackett's Cedar Park in 1957, with about three hundred in attendance. Several members had loaned the club $25.00 each to get the hamfest started, and Tenny Freck, W4WL, of Freck Radio, Inc. granted credit to the club until after the hamfest so the event could be put on. The members were repaid by the club by having their annual dues paid up until the $25.00 was repaid. The first prize was a Hammarlund HQ-110 receiver. From the beginning, no member of the club or member of their immediate family has been able to participate in the prize drawing. All prizes go to our guests.

The hamfest prospered and the facility at Cedar Park became too small to hold the crowds that were attracted. Spurgin Hewitt and his wife fed the multitude with barbecue, slaw, green beans, corn on the cob and other fine foods. After Mr. Hewitt's death the land we used for parking was lost. Our crowds continued to increase, especially when we went to a 2 day hamfest. So in 1979 we were forced to move to the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. That 2 day hamfest now lasts about 10 days (unofficially). Many complaints were aired by our guests about this move, but gradually acceptance was won, even though now and then people will say, "This sure isn't like it was at Cedar Park." I have to agree with them. Every year during the long existence of the hamfest we have had Sunday School, and bingo for the ladies. In early 1994 the hamfest committee will start planning our 38th annual hamfest. We should each give pause and reflect upon the work that has been done over the years to make the Shelby Hamfest "The Granddaddy of them all." One thing we don't allow at the Shelby Hamfest is long winded speeches.