I love the idea. The reality would be difficult. I don’t have a trailer/tow rig, and probably wouldn’t drive the car that far.
I love Colorado.
I think a big show for the 50th would be an easier sell to spouses/family - once in a lifetime, etc.
I think the 50th Mustang event in Las Vegas suffered from its remote location, both in terms of traveling distance and organization due to lack of local support. I think if it were held in California it would have been a huge success.
It might be wise to piggyback something onto an already successful venture such as WCCC or NorCal. You’d get many more cars attending.
I love Colorado, though. I could be tempted to make the effort/expense to go there if that’s where the 50th ends up being.
I don’t like to say never but (Miami, FL = 2,318 miles) it takes me 5 hours and 3/4 tank of gas just to get out of Fl going straight up the east coast without towing anything ( and I don’t have a trailer to begin with). That being said I don’t envy anyone taking on the task of trying to set something up having read the posts here, and the CCOA regional and WCCC Open House, what a huge ordeal. I like the idea and as many truly enjoy the posts/photos/videos from other events I haven’t been able to attend, truly jealous not being able to go. I’d like to add it to my bucket list but reality sometimes bounces that check. 
Hello All,
I’ll throw in my two cents worth. After reading all the comments here, I agree the costs and time involved for some folks would be out of the question. My idea would be to maybe consider 3 National Events in 2017. One for the folks on the west coast, one for the central states and one for the east coast enthusiasts. That way, you would have your choice of which event you would like to attend. I don’t know how the costs would be handled, but maybe the various clubs in those regions could help contribute as well as help from the CCOA. This just an idea.
Living in Colorado, I doubt I would consider traveling an extreme distance just to attend an event either.
And coordinate them so they are on same dates - with live video feeds and big screen TVs connecting the shows…
That would be cool although having them on different dates would allow someone to attend multiple events if they were so inclined.
Cougar Bill did a pretty good job of explaining why there won’t be three events occurring simultaneously. Historically these things fail for one reason: too much work. With no hard chain of command or responsibility, individual preferences can’t be resolved. This will require a very small group of like minded people that get things done.
It will be too far for many people no matter where it is located. That is just fate and geography. I tried to trailer my car to the 2005 Colorado Club event in 2005(?) but the 115 degree heat here was too much for my F150 pulling my enclosed trailer. To get out of Phoenix to the east you have to climb to 7500’ feet. That kind of altitude and heat meant I had to turn back, unload the car, drop off the trailer, and start over. I suspect that I would have the same difficulty this time.
If the Falcon guys can do it, I think we can do it.
Two questions:
IF not in Colorado, then where and why?
What would it take to make it worthwhile to attend such an event in Colorado?
I’ve attended two such events in the context of the CCOA, and several in the context of the MCA & the AACA. I had a great time at all, and I am in no way a “car show” guy. The MCA & AACA events are a much larger production (because they have a larger workforce & member participation), with more to offer vs. the historical CCOA events. In all of these, a local regional club did the lion’s share of the work. So wherever the ultimate venue will be, it needs to straddle the line of commutability, affordability, desirability, but above all, needs a strong, cohesive, experienced regional club to make it happen.
Personally, I will probably revisit those types of events at some point further in the future. Right now, my recreation dollars are earmarked for family vacations.
Let me say that we (the CCC) need to stop worrying about pleasing everybody. That’s not going to happen. Yes, this type of event most definitely will require a lot of planning and dedication by numerous people to pull off. I was just pointing out that many folks will not want to take the time or have the funds available to attend an event like this especially if it is across the country. Colorado temps can vary year to year. Its been rather mild this year compared to past years.
I most definitely agree that some sort of celebration should be held for the Cougars 50th Anniversary. What exactly that ends up being is anyone’s guess.
Lets not worry about who is going to do the work. lets assume for now that between Gavin Schlesinger, Don Rush and company, and few other die hard Cougar nuts that we can pull this off (with more than a little help from countless others!)
Going to an event like this is a big commitment. What would you like to see and do? For example, who would you like to have appear from Mercury back in the day? Iacocca is probably tough call, but you never know…
For folks to bring their cars whether driven or trailered, 400-500 miles is what the majority will agree to tackle. Finding a destination that will make folks drive from all areas will never happen. Host it where the support is greatest I say. For 2017 that appears to be the West Coast. The event at Carlisle every year in June is a shoe in for hosting a Cougar event and the club participation is high there so have a second one there for 2017.
That was my point 
Unfortunately the 1800+ mile trip each way is too far for me. I don’t believe in trailering my car.
Steve
So how do you explain the fact that virtually every car club in the country holds a national event. You can’t be within 500 miles of everywhere.
The Falcon Club just held their 35th ANNUAL convention in Kansas City.
The Fairlane club just held thier ANNUAL event in Dearborn.
The Maverick / Comet Club just held thier 21st ANNUAL event.
The Firebird Trans Am Club just held their 30th Nationals.
I could go on…
I vote for a show in either Washington or Colorado. cough cough “You know what I mean, eh? Nudge Nudge” 
My take on that is that they move around and draw a different crowd each year. There’s probably a solid core that can and will go anywhere, but everyone else is a regional attendee. Maybe once I retire from the corporate world, I could attend something like this and make a road trip of it, but my wife would still have to stay home and look after the store. Something like Carlisle is a lot more realistic for our circumstances.
That said, I agree that the event should go where the support is strongest. Those of us who can’t attend will be jealous, but hey, that’s life.
Regarding the heat in August, why not move it further east and have it earlier in the year? June is very nice in many places.
Jeff, that is a possibility. How about June?
Unfortunately you will not be able to satisfy everyone. The country is just too big. An 1800 mile trip (each way)towing a trailer at 12 MPG runs about $1,150.00 in fuel alone round trip. That’s with an open trailer it goes down to about 9.5 to 10 with the enclosed trailer. Well at least my F250 does.
But you are correct almost all the other cars have anniversary shows all over the country. The MCA has had all its anniversary shows in Charlotte, Atlanta and Nashville, until the 50th which was Charlotte and Vegas. Pretty sure Vegas was because of Shelby, Cali probably would have been better.
Even with a West Coast and East Coast show people would be left out. On the East coast Carlisle draws well so does Charlotte and another great show was SAAC at VIR. Still that leaves the people in the middle with a haul. I don’t know about the west coast areas.
One thing about a place like VIR or Charlotte is the ability to have some open track time, It is really cool to watch the cars on track and be able to see show cars at the same time something about the sounds of all that power makes the show so much better. OK I saw the WCCC pics with the guys tearing up the field and the 71 429 car on track. If you don’t want to run it hard there are always parade laps and that is fun. It’s a nice option to have.
Where ever you have the show you will need a strong local club to organize the show. Personally I can see traveling about 1,000 miles each way.
65 Mustang Rag Top 289 C code 4 speed
66 Mustang Rag Top 289 auto For Sale Soon
68 Mustang Coupe 472 big block
69 Cougar Std Rag Top 390 C-6
70 Cougar Std HT 428 CJ 4 Speed
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Going to CO for me wouldn’t be that bad as I have a Brother-in-law just move out there and could work this in for a family vacation. I wouldn’t have the cougar with me and not sure if anyone in my family would want to attend with me, but I would go by myself if necessary. As for the one in Carlisle, it always happens when my kids sports teams are playing in a Tournament or playoffs so I can never make it. I also have family in the Charlotte area so I could arrange for the family vacation in that area as well.
I hope you can pull this event off and even if I couldn’t attend I would sit at my computer and droll on my keyboard looking at the pictures of all of the cars that attend.
Paul
You do need a strong local club to organize and host an event the size of what is being proposed.
It is preferable to have other things to do and see while in the area (tourist). It is also nice to have some sort of interesting person and/or topics to be presented, even maybe some sort of demonstration/instruction seminar. But you also do not want too much to do as people will feel overwhelmed and not attend.
It is nice to maybe have a cruise to some site, but it should not be too long as many of the out-of-towners will already be tired of driving. Also it is very difficult to keep everyone together, unless you have a police escort. Maps and directions, with addresses, are a must with any cruise or drive to any location away from the show site as not everyone has a GPS or knows the way.
It is also preferable to hold the event in the summer months when kids are out of school. The only way many enthusiasts can get to go is to turn it into a family vacation.
Weather and temperatures need to be considered. If the show portion can be held in a grass field with lots of shade trees…Awesome. Unfortunately most will be held in a paved parking lot and the heat can be overwhelming. Food, water, or a food vendor on site, or very close by is a must.
Those are just a few things that pop into my head.
I have been involved in planning and organizing a lot of Cougar events (both local, CCOA Regional, and CCOA National) over the years, as well as worked with Ford of Canada helping them plan a large display in conjunction with the Ford (USA) and Ford of Canada Centennial celebrations in 2003 and 2004 at the large convention centre in Vancouver, Canada.
It can be a very daunting task to take on the planning of a large event such as what you guys are discussing, but with lots of help it can be done.