Houston MCA National Show March 2019
The “Mustangs Take Flight” MCA National Show took place in Houston, TX at the Lone Star Aviation Museum on March 29-31, 2019. This was the first national MCA show for 2019 and the closest national show to Louisiana since 2017. Our club had great attendance there with somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 members and cars but I might be missing some. Among those in attendance were: Dale Olano, Mark Moran, Larry Maier, Bob & Dianne Leche, John Canfield, Mickey Graphia, Gary Marino, Matt Pfister, Louis Lagattuta, Bobby & Brenda Harris, Bobby Harris Jr., Freddie & Linda Housewright, Cindy & Joey Guidroz, Charles Hollier, Derrick Patterson, Bobby Spedale, Kerry Hicks, and Jim Freyder.
Roughly 10 of us travelled together on Thursday meeting for 9AM in Port Allen and after a traffic filled but uneventful trip arrived in Houston at the show host hotel around 3:30PM. The Hilton NASA Clear Lake Hotel was nice but it was disappointing to discover that the hotel was 11 miles away from the show site. After getting settled, most of us met for dinner at Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant.
On Friday morning there was was light rain in the Houston area so it took some extra time getting the cars ready for the show. Upon check-in at the Lone Star Aviation Museum show site (which is at the Ellington Airport), the first thing entrants did was drive onto the taxiway to take a picture in the car with two P-51 Mustangs. Very cool!!! Then entrants were sent to park in their designated areas which were divided by judging class or display only cars. All participants had access to the Lone Star Aviation Museum displays, flight simulators, and shops during the 3-day show. One disappointment was the single food vendor at the site. Another disappointment was the fact that there were very few automotive vendors at this show.
Most of us spent Friday getting the cars ready for judging and many were judged on Friday afternoon which made for more relaxed days on Saturday & Sunday. On Friday night, the gang met at Landry’s Restaurant in the Kemah Boardwalk area alongside Galveston Bay. In everyone’s show goody bag was a coupon for a free appetizer from Landry’s so why not eat there! Due to some “interesting” service, our dinner lasted 2 1/2 hours but I think everyone enjoyed themselves anyway. Saturday was a gorgeous day weather-wise even though it was a bit windy and there was a slight threat of rain in the afternoon. Some of the vintage aircraft made flights over the show field and you could also purchase rides in some of them (ask Bobby Harris about his flight). The weather turned cold on Sunday so most of us spent the day inside the museum building and waited for the awards ceremony to begin. Speaking of awards, our club did well with many bringing home Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards.
Overall, I think everyone had a great time and made some lasting memories.