2026 Fandango Recap

We had a wonderful turnout this year, again! We have Texas weather every year, this year it got a little cool and breezy in the day with cool nights, but nonetheless, it was a great time. We appreciate each and every member that takes the time to come early to help with preparations and assist throughout the event, as well as those who join in by attending Fandango year after year. Things start well before the gates open on Friday morning. Prez Victor Hugas gets to Fredericksburg quite a few days ahead, sometimes making multiple trips from home to Fredericksburg and back again, and then the work starts. A good number of volunteers, like Stewart Stephenson, Snuffy, Murph, John Clark, Jerry, Ron, JoAnn Enk, and Blue Jay to name a few, arrive the prior weekend and start helping Jim Howser with the vendor spot marking, early in the week. Tuesday and Wednesday are full-on workdays for preparations with signage and safety by Steve and a few good men. Merchandising gets set up by Tawny Tully and her crew, so it’s ready to rock by Friday morning. Kudos to Tawny and crew for a great year! Last but not least, the unveiling of the Scholarship Raffle Quilt as it is set up and ready for display. Many thanks to Miyong Wood for helping with the opportunity ticket sales. We had a great opening weekend. Sales run through the year, and the drawing happens at our Cherokee Christmas Party. Thanks to everyone for your support of the Scholarship Program. Lecil Morgan is always ready to take new members and renew those that need to, while taking care of the hospitality table with coffee and cookies for the early birds in the bike barn. Thursday is always a great day. At noon, and sometimes a couple of hours early, many of the vendors come in and get settled in their spots and get ready for a weekend of selling, buying, and swapping those highly desired vintage motorcycle parts, basket cases, and much, much more.

This year, for the second year, we have had a Texas Fandango, Vendor Appreciation Dinner at the Fair’s Beer Garden. Once they settle in their vendor spots, they are invited to join all the Cherokee Volunteers and other Fandango Vendors for a treat, a little dessert, and libations. This year, we also had some live music by Cherokee member Larry Martin. All of you Cherokee members who are also vendors at Fandango and are reading this newsletter, please be notified and reminded that you may contact Jim Howser at 940-305-3330 to pre-register for your vendor spots now. Pre-registering guarantees you’ll get your same spots next year. This year is the first year to have this convenience available. Please take the opportunity to continue with your preferred spots before it’s too late! Jim would like to thank the approximately 40% of vendors who took the opportunity during Fandango and already registered for 2027. We truly enjoyed spending quality time with all the vendors and the rest of the volunteers during the

appreciation dinner.

Friday is opening day, and admissions is ready to receive all our visitors. Veronica and the admissions team volunteers welcomed between 4,000 and 5,000 attendees. Once the attendees pass the security check, they’re ready to enjoy one of the best Motorcycle Swap Meet, Shows, and Entertainment in Texas’ Vintage Motorcycle world. This Friday was a little windy, but the rest of the vendors came in and finished setting up, and the show bikes came in and got ready for display. The chopper end of Fandango prepared for the chopper drags, minibike races, speedway, and flat track races, and the chopper show by Cheap Thrills, Oliver, and Audra, that happen on Saturday.

Saturday is Race Day! Racers start practicing and running their heats mid-morning, and at noon, we have our official ceremony. We are honored to have had the New Braunfels, TX VFW Post 7110’s Color Guard present our beautiful flag and Cherokee’s Larry Martin perform our National Anthem, with racing officials offering a prayer and the request to start the races. We had so many spectators, it was wonderful to walk through the grandstands and see so many familiar faces enjoying the chopper dirt drags and all the races. We value our vendors. Ya’ll are the reason for our success! We sold out all our spaces in 2026. Due to the high demand for spaces, please pay for them immediately. They must be paid for no later than February 27, 2027. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation.

Saturday is also the preparation day for the bike shows. Once David and Mary Miller do all the work of registering and having Doc Wood and Scott Brower help with parking and arranging bikes, judges walk around using their knowledge and judgment to pick the best-qualified recipients of each class award. We had close to 100 beautiful bikes on display. Thanks to all who took the time to bring them out and show what you have, and thanks to Steve Klein and new board member Mark Scott for handling all the awards. Recognized during the Vintage Show Awards, were

Thierry and Pascale Rebert from France and Kevin Waters from England. Kevin shipped his ‘64 FL from England and Thierry got their ‘68 FL shipped from Texas to Anchorage Alaska, they then rode them down to New Braunfels, TX in August, where they decided to leave them so they could come back and enjoy Fandango and our National Road Run. Well-deserved recognition for them and their very reliable bikes for 7,000 miles.