We, have been to every Americade since 2001 except for maybe one year. You are 100% correct, it's not what it used to be. That being said, we go just to ride the area and do one day at the vendor area that's it. This VRCC group use to go with 20 or more bikes with co-riders. (The good ole days). There are still a few that do go and it's great to see them occasionally up there.
I think the days of the Rally are coming to a close.
My exact thoughts and what I did this year, paying for the Expo was not worth it, just rode. Last year, when it was held in September, Christian Dutcher was posting videos regularly promoting the event, this year I think he posted once, vendors were way down, and attendance way, way down. Americade has gone from a Monday-Saturday event to a Thursday-Saturday, that's when the most bikers show up now
Hotel/motel costs have gone thru the roof, the place we stayed at for 20 years went from $135/nt to $300! this year; when talking to other bikers heard the same.
I guess it's an event that I thought would always stay the same, but like most things in life they don't
Frank
