A MESSAGE FROM THE HAMFEST CHAIRMAN
Dear Fellow Radio Enthusiast and friends,
"We are excited to invite you to the 69th Shelby Hamfest, hosted by the Shelby Amateur Radio Club, this Labor Day weekend—August 29 & 30—at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, NC."
Whether you are a seasoned ham radio operator, a shortwave listener, or simply curious about the world of radio communications, this event is for you! Once inside the Fairgrounds you will find new and vintage radio gear, accessories, and electronics. Also, there may be some crafts and collectible booths to visit.
Your admission ticket also includes you in the prize drawings that are held on Friday and Saturday. You do not have to be present to win one of our clubs sponsored prizes. We will ship it to you prepaid! These prizes are listed on this website.
No need to go around hungry. Several food and refreshment vendors will be on site serving Friday and Saturday! Enjoy great food while meeting fellow radio enthusiasts and friends.
Get your first ham radio license or upgrade your current one (bring ID & FRN). Testing site will be announced as we get closer to Labor Day.
We also have plenty of onsite camping spaces for rent. Please review our camping reservation guidelines here on this site.
For any questions you may have concerning the Hamfest please contact us at, hamfestshelby@gmail or click on the links provided on this website. You may also call our club cell at 980-295-5151. Please leave a message and a club member will return your call within 24 hours. Keep checking this website for updates.
Sincerely,
Russell Hayes / KE4GTQ
Hamfest Chairman
Hours of Operation
Friday August 29, 2025
9:00 AM until 5:00 PM (Buildings & Flea Market)
Saturday August 30, 2025
Gates open at 7:00 AM (Outside Vendors)
Inside Vendor Buildings 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday August 31, 2025
Sunday School at 10AM
Click Here for Brochure for 2025 Shelby Hamfest (Coming Soon)
Please be mindful of Construction at Fairgrounds! Stay Alert as Entry Gates May Change!Please do not enter construction zones!We look forward to seeing everyone!
Location of Fairgrounds
1751 E Marion St, Shelby, NC 28152
Approximately 35 miles West of Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Cleveland County, NC has several points of interest to explore while visiting our county. If you are planning to spend the week camping with us, you may wish to explore some of these interesting places. Click here to see area Points of Interest!
Parking Information
Parking will be behind the fairgrounds. Please turn on Kemper Rd off Marion St and take the First Right onto Ferris Wheel Blvd. You will be directed on where to park. There will be handicap parking available.
Mobility Options are available - Golf Carts are available for rent during the hamfest - Please click here for Mobility Options.
Buy Tickets
Tickets are $10.00 and all tickets bought in advanced will be will call only (meaning to be picked up at arrival at the event).
*Members of Shelby Amateur Radio Club are not eligible to buy tickets or win prizes.
VE Testing
VE Testing is provided by WCARS-VE, Inc.
Wednesday August 27, 2025 at 4:00PM at the (Location TBD due to Fairground Improvements) & Saturday August 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the (Location TBD)
Talk-In Frequency
Talk-in is on our 146.880 (-), 67.0 Hz Tone Repeater. While in our area check-in to our Nets! Shelby Amateur Radio Club VHF Emergency Net Mondays & Fridays on 146.880 at 8:30 PM; Good Ideas Net Wednesday 7:00 PM on 147.345 (+) & Sunday Night Prayer Net 8:00 PM on 146.880. Our Repeaters can also be accessed by Echolink Node KM4C-R
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Indoor Vendor Buildings
Shelby Hamfest has several indoor vendor options. Goforth Hall & Weathers Arena are indoor options for exhibitors which will keep you and your items safe from weather conditions (Sun or Rain). If you would like more information regarding inside vendor options, please contact Russell Hayes KE4GTQ (980) 295-5151 or Chip Workman N4SOC (704) 476-6224 or click here . More detailed information can be found by clicking here!
Outdoor Vendor Space
Shelby Hamfest outdoor vendor spaces are available. There are areas designated as Outdoor Commercial Vendor spaces. These are ideal for those vendors who want to be positioned between the indoor spaces and the Flea Market areas. If you would like more information regarding outdoor vendor options, please contact Russell Hayes KE4GTQ (980) 295-5151 or click here. More detailed information can be found by clicking here!
Outdoor Covered Option
Shelby Hamfest has another option for those who want to be able to reserve spaces which will be covered. The Covered area is attached to the Weathers Arena. If you would like more information regarding this reservable alternative to the first come first served outside flea market area please contact at Russell Hayes KE4GTQ (980) 295-5151 or click here.. More detailed information can be found by clicking here!
Flea Market Spaces
These spaces are not reservable and are available on a first come / first serve bases beginning the Sunday prior to the Hamfest. These spaces are located throughout the fairgrounds and surrounded by the buildings and camping areas of the hamfest. There are plenty of spaces available and are usually plenty of spaces to choose from throughout the event. If you need information please contact at Russell Hayes KE4GTQ click here or call 980-295-5151. For more information click here!
Food Vendors
There are several food vendor booths who are open on the fairgrounds with a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items along with standard county fair staples like funnel cakes and Orangeaid/Lemonaid vendors. If this type of food is not what you are interested in then try one of our many restaurants in Shelby. All are just a short ride from the fairgrounds. To learn how to become a vendor please contact at Russell Hayes KE4GTQ click here or call 980-295-5151.
RV Camping
One highlight of the Shelby Hamfest is on-site RV & Tent Camping the week of the hamfest. Campers enjoy fellowshipping with other campers and amateur radio operators and are able to explore the many places of interest in Shelby, NC and he surrounding area. Contact Lynn Winkelman at (704) 419-0738 for more information on camping (RV, Trailer & Tent). To request information click here. For more information & Registration Form click here!
Accommodations
If camping at the Fairgrounds is not your idea of a good nights sleep, then there are a variety of Hotels & Motels to choose from in Cleveland County and the surrounding area. If you are planning to come out to the hamfest for more than one day, you'll want to make reservations at one of the area hotels.
Click here for a list of some local hotels.
Golf Carts & Mobility Info
Do Not contact the club for Golf Cart Rentals Click Here for more information. Please watch and yield to pedestrian traffic. Wheelchairs and Scooters can be used at anytime for handicapped individuals. You can bring your own golf cart but will be subject to the same rules as the rental carts. Golf cart driver must be at 16 years of age and hold a valid state-issued drivers license.
** Golf cart drivers observed operating unsafely will be asked to park their cart for duration of the hamfest.
FORUMS LOCATION CHANGE NOW IN DORTON HALL
Forums (Saturday)
LOCATION CHANGE - Due to Construction Work at the fairgrounds, and potential rain, forum presentation this year will be conducted in the SW corner of the Dorton Hall Building aat the top of the Fairgrounds.
Look just above the Goforth Hall Building for the one that runs parallel to the roadway. Enter through the lower doors, turn left down the aisle to the lower aisle and turn right.
Forums are Saturday Only - These will be updated closer to hamfest
Sunday School (Sunday) Will be held in same place as forums.
Each year at the Shelby Hamfest, hamfest attendees, campers and vendors are given an unique opportunity to attend Sunday School. Our Sunday School Teacher Daniel Edmonson KG4GRN has taught and touched lives for nearly a decade. Be sure to attend Sunday School at 10:00 AM. Same location as the Forums.