|
|
|
DukesFest '04
   
Dennis and I
arrived at the Bristol Motor Speedway around 1pm on Sunday. The sun
was shining and it felt like it was 100 degrees. The first thing we saw
was an area filled with replicas of the General Lee. It was a pretty
awesome sight. Then we came upon a bandstand where our host Ben "Cooter"
Jones was on stage singing Just
a Good Ole Boy and telling the story of
how The Dukes of Hazzard came
to be. Would you believe those in attendance were celebrating the
show's 25th anniversary? Time flies. As we wandered around the
grounds of the festival, we met up with James "Rosco" Best and Sonny "Enos"
Shroyer. These two gentleman were as nice as can be and patiently
signed autographs for their fans who stood in long lines in unbearable heat.
   
The highlight of the visit was meeting Catherine Bach.
She was very lovely and incredibly sweet. I don't believe I saw her
take a break from signing autographs, except to pose with the General Lee
for the media. Her line of fans was incredibly long, but she patiently
signed collectibles and posed for photos with adoring fans. It was a
genuine thrill to meet these stars and I'd like to thank
Sarah Margulies
of
Brotman•Winter•Fried
Communications for providing the press credentials that gave us access to
the event.
Star Cars Museum
    
    
 
On Monday, Dennis and I arrived at the
Star Cars Museum with
our die-cast car collection in hand. There we met up with Veronica
McNeill and her crew. While they set up, I had a chance to wander
around the museum. I have to say, I thought I'd died and gone to
heaven. Some of the most famous cars in the world were on display,
including (from top left) the police cruiser from The Andy Griffith Show,
the Trans-Am from Smokey & the Bandit 2, Christine, the
Back to the Future Delorean, The Munsters Drag-U-La, Herbie the
Love Bug, The Beverly Hillbillies Jalopy, the crumpled remains of the
Jurassic Park Ford Explorer, Daytona Spyder from Miami Vice,
the taxi from Total Recall, Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters, Tom
Cruise's Mello Yello from Days of Thunder, and many, many more.
 When
the crew was ready for us, Dennis and I set up a display of our TV-related
die-cast cars. Sky Television is conducting a survey of UK residents
asking them to name their favorite TV cars. Dennis and I were
interviewed about our collection and our favorite TV cars. It was so
much fun. We had a lot of laughs with the crew. The interview
will be included on a documentary that will also feature George Barris, Adam
West and others. I can't tell you what an HONOR it is to be included
on a TV program with these LEGENDS. I can't wait to see the finished
product. I'm told it'll be on the air in the UK in October.
Thanks to Denise O'Connor, Veronica McNeill and the crew for such a great
experience.
Cooter's Dukes of
Hazzard Museum
   
Before we could head home, Dennis and I had to make one last
stop. We pulled into Cooter's
Dukes of Hazzard Museum, which is just down the road from the
Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg. Outside the museum are cars from the
TV series. You can see Dennis inspecting the General Lee (above right).
Inside the museum is a gift shop and a modest collection of costumes, props
and collectibles. And wouldn't you know it, by sheer coincidence we
found Sonny "Enos" Shroyer at Cooter's Place signing autographs (below
right).
   
Of course, I particularly enjoyed the displays of The
Dukes of Hazzard die-cast cars. Not only did there appear to be a
complete collection of cars mint-in-package, but I really got a kick out of
the dioramas of Uncle Jesse's homestead. There were two dioramas, one
done in 1:64 scale (below left) and one done in 1:24 scale (below right).
 
After two days of fun and excitement, it was time to begin
the 9-hour drive back to Michigan. About 4 hours into our drive, we
got one last reminder of the fun we had. We passed up the General Lee
on the freeway near Cincinnati (below). I'm sure it is the ONLY time
my little Neon will EVER pass the mighty General.
|
|
|
