MTMA 21st  Invitational

By Kevin Powers


  The show was held by the middle Tennessee modelers association on Sat march 12th of this year.  The venue was held in the Tennessee Tech University central building.   The directions there were for the most part "idiot proof".  Off Interstate 40 on exit 286 north for 4 miles.  When I got there, there wasn't much choice for parking, as the parking lot to the facility was small.

   A short walk to a set of steps to the 2nd floor, or for you non-exercise type people,  elevator was there for the taking.  $6 for the first kit and a dollar after seems like a steep price, of which I am willing to pay, considering the good time I always have there.

  The registration sheets were of the type that some contest goers would agree that are chancey at best.  Having the personal info on the same sheet and simply folding it under, would lead to the practice of 'Home Cooking',  not, that any went on, because the contest I will talk about later, seemed to be evenly handed.   The registration went off without a hitch, smooth and by the numbers. The raffle tickets could be bought on the same table at a dollar each, with one free one being given to the entrants.  The raffle was held at 2 pm while the judges finished up compiling the places in the categories.

  The raffle left to be something desired, with each ticket being called out for each prize.  The drawer was a kid who for the most part did not mix up the box too well, which led to one woman winning about 70% of the raffle.  Not until the drawer finally mixed it good, did others start to win stuff.  The raffle prizes was generally geared towards car buffs, with maybe 20% of the items to military.  

The contest room was shared with the vendor tables which led to some over crowding as well as a humid and warm atmosphere as the day went by. Vendors for the most part, like the raffle, were for car people.  But, not being one, I did find a few non-car items that really made my head say "buy me".   The club provided a lunch bar with great chili and really aromatic BBQ sandwiches, as well and chips and soda at a nominal cost.  The college provided comfy chairs and couches to rest your weary 'feet bones', of which I fell asleep in a few times.

  The judging went ahead of schedule and was held on time, in spite of the fact that the awards were handed out one at a time, with a round of applause for each winner.  Also, as a after thought, the contest seemed to be more split down the middle  as far as car verses other stuff compared to previous years. Small, medium and large plaques for the places with ribbons for honorable mention, so that everyone had a chance at winning something.   The show ending ahead of schedule, I was down the road a little early, for the long drive home I have.  In spite of the fact of some of the nitpicky glitches of the show, and the long drive, I find myself compelled to go there every year, having made friends of the members of that large club.  Also, congrats to Roger Altizer for his many 'Best Of's' awards.