Camping in a tent on the fairgrounds, big mistake. What if it rains all 3 day's?
Depends upon how good the tent is and how experienced of a camper you are. Worse case, you get wet. A small one man Bivy tent is probably not a good choice. A wall Outfitter tent could be rather comfortable.
Gilly
In case anyone is curious, I decided that I want to camp at York. I just ordered a tent, and sent an email to the person who is in charge of camping at the meet.
I'm not only excited for the show, but for this camping adventure!
Good for you Michael.
I wish you good weather and soft ground.
20 miles round trip, not one way. That's a good price. We are staying nearby for a little more. Sorry you cannot make the trip.
Thanks for all the kind comments and concern.
I know rain is a real concern. Since I had to buy a new tent for this (didn't need a 10x20 tent for just me), I made sure to find one that is supposedly water tight. I ended up choosing this tent: http://www.coleman.com/product...0007827#.VRKrUuEVXTo (but I didn't pay near that price). When it comes, I plan on setting it up and taking the hose to it, to see what it can handle. If I'm not happy with it's performance, I'll waterproof the outside and the seams. I also plan on bringing one of those giant blue tarps to put underneath, and I may leave some of it out, to put over top if it rains too bad. I also plan on bringing an air mattress, so I'll be up off the ground.
If all that fails, my car should only be a few feet away! 
I camped to a fairly advanced age, and, years ago, found air mattresses were not dependable. I bought rolls of 3" or 4" foam to use as a mattress, and it does not
lose air during the night. I even did that flying places, renting a car, buying an
inexpensive tent, one of these foam rolls, and then camped parks. Gotten soft as I've
gotten older. On one trip flying into Las Vegas, I found tent and foam both in a
K-Mart (now maybe tent at Walmart..foam may be harder to find).
One problem with the $40 camping thing, is that it only covers what, the three days?
If you come for the early, all week open shows, you have to find another place....
Just think, in just 30 days you'll have these fond memories of your camping trip to York!
Also - don't know why the commercial airline pilot rules for underwear can't be utilized at York: Day 1 - right side in; Day 2- inside out; Day 3- Frontwards; Day 4 - Backwards. 
SOME CAMPING TIPS
When using a public campground, a tuba placed on your picnic table will keep the campsites on either side vacant.
Lint from your navel makes a handy fire starter. Warning: Remove lint from navel before applying the match.
Take this simple test to see if you qualify for solo camping. Shine a flashlight into one ear. If the beam shines out the other ear, it is OK to go to York alone.
Through the years we have had a number of tenters at York. The total fee, as stated, is $40.00. If desired, tents may be pitched in areas where inhabitants may have access to water and electricity. Tenters should bring a hose and an extension cord suitable for exterior use. Tents can be very comfortable, regardless of weather, when equipped with heat and light. Any questions, contact the RV Chairman, whose number and e-mail address is listed in the Meet Notice Bulletin. Incidentally, the inquiry to the Chairman mentioned above must have been sent to the wrong e-mail address. The Chairman has not received it.
Through the years we have had a number of tenters at York. The total fee, as stated, is $40.00. If desired, tents may be pitched in areas where inhabitants may have access to water and electricity. Tenters should bring a hose and an extension cord suitable for exterior use. Tents can be very comfortable, regardless of weather, when equipped with heat and light. Any questions, contact the RV Chairman, whose number and e-mail address is listed in the Meet Notice Bulletin. Incidentally, the inquiry to the Chairman mentioned above must have been sent to the wrong e-mail address. The Chairman has not received it.
Hmmmm....I sent the email to the address in Clem's York Premier. I'll try calling tonight.
Hmmmm....I sent the email to the address in Clem's York Premier. I'll try calling tonight.
Looks like Clem's Primer needs updated. The email is definitely different from the official email listed on the Eastern Division's site.
Andy
I am still curious as to how many days on the fairgrounds the $40 covers?
I am still curious as to how many days on the fairgrounds the $40 covers?
According to the meet notice RV's can be on the property for the meet starting Wednesday 9 a.m. and must leave by Saturday 6 p.m. I assume that tents are included in this time frame. $40 is one heck of a bargain if you have the equipment to stay on the fairgrounds.
The notices also state that RV's arriving after 8 p.m. on Wed/Thurs must "dry camp" in the paved area of the parking lot next to the grandstand until 8 a.m. the following morning. Don't know what tent-campers should do in this case, so if it applies, this question should be asked of the RV Chairman.
Andy
I have no intention of finding out how you dry camp in a tent! lol. I will be there before that time (I want the tent up before dark).
Anyway, I just got off the phone with the man who is in charge of camping, and he was very helpful. So, I'm ready to go!
Only question about camping at the York Meet is, where do you put all the trains you buy during the Meet? Can't imagine they'd be left in the tent.
Hello - in his car, which is where the rest of us put them!
I have no intention of finding out how you dry camp in a tent! lol. I will be there before that time (I want the tent up before dark).
Ok, now you've got me thinking about camping there in October! I just may need to buy a new wall tent. As I mentioned earlier, the Bivey isn't going to cut it.
Gilly
Only question about camping at the York Meet is, where do you put all the trains you buy during the Meet? Can't imagine they'd be left in the tent.
Hello - in his car, which is where the rest of us put them!
HA! How's the car gonna fit in there to store the trains? Huh?! 
Our budget Scout troop in a small town used WWII war surplus pup tents to camp in.
They did not have sewn in floors, which are dryer, for sure. That looks like a nice
tent. Consider taking a roll of that foam for backup, in case the air mattress leaks.
Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night, flat on the ground, with a rock
gouging your back.
Only question about camping at the York Meet is, where do you put all the trains you buy during the Meet? Can't imagine they'd be left in the tent.
Hello - in his car, which is where the rest of us put them!
HA! How's the car gonna fit in there to store the trains? Huh?!
He drives a FIAT (Fix It Again, Tony).
Owning a motor home, I have come up with a new definition of "roughing it."
"Roughing it" is when you are staying in an RV park that has too many trees for the satellite TV to work.
That tent, while very nice, is way to "rough" for me.
My buddies and I stayed in a motor home on the grounds several times. If you have a choice, I think that is the way to go! It was so nice to be able to take a break and go to the motor home whenever you wanted. Have a snack... whatever.
Unfortunately, the fellow who supplied the first motor home passed, and the second motor home is no more.
Maybe Rich will rent out space in his motor home.
Personally, I'm staying at the Wingate, I've stayed there several times. Not cheap, but nice clean rooms.
That tent, while very nice, is way to "rough" for me.
The reason it is too rough is that you are, OLD lol. I would need somebody to pull me out of the tent if I tried camping on the ground in a tent.
Maybe Rich will rent out space in his motor home.
Not likely. It only has one bed. Sleeps 2. That's it.
It's not a "bunkhouse" type of motor home.
I used to stay at a Hampton Inn in Hanover, Pa. but it was 30 to 45 minutes drive each way depending on traffic. I now stay at the Hampton Inn Hotel on South George Street in York, PA. Since I am now about less than 10 minutes from the fairgrounds I do not mind paying a little more than most of the smaller motels. But, at my age (56), I like my creature comforts.
Owning a motor home, I have come up with a new definition of "roughing it."
"Roughing it" is when you are staying in an RV park that has too many trees for the satellite TV to work.
That tent, while very nice, is way to "rough" for me.
I was thinking the same thing if I don't have wifi or access to my phone data. Maybe I should bring a portable radio so I'm not truly "roughing it".
This will be fun though. Besides, most of the time I'll be at the tent, I'll be sleeping anyway
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