dukesfest 2009?

[Emy-Rae Duke]

I heard that DF 2008 was te last year do you guys think its the truth?


(http://www.cglfc.com/wforum/viewtopic.php?p=203748&sid=cf5326ba3a2b749c1ad4732e9afe4e4f)

[Redneck girl 01]

Oh gosh I hope not! I wasn't able to go this year and was told that maybe i would git to go next year....I sure hope it wasn't the last year.

[CaptMarvel]

I have no clue. Someone asked Catherien Bach, (Daisy) but she didn't really know, she said they would have to ask John. He never said yes and he never said no. I left after the Parade and before the Auction. He may have said if they was or not then. Don't really know. I'm sure they will post something on Dukefest.com, I hope they do next year, but I hope they have more entertainment and not charge people to have an autograph. If the General Lee could write I'd rather have it's autograph since it is what made that show and the cast as big as they are today. So who knows they might and might not..

[LoriDavenport]

Now that really will get me madder than what i already am! But, I would understand it due to their busy schedules, 2009 isnt here yet so no one would really know for sure, but i hope their is one..

[CaptMarvel]

Now that really will get me madder than what i already am! But, I would understand it due to their busy schedules, 2009 isnt here yet so no one would really know for sure, but i hope their is one..

I hope so too.

[MaryAnne]

John says in this interview with Atlanta's Fox affiliate that this "could be" the last DukesFest. "You never know."

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=6862472&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.1.1


I hope it's not but I don't think we'll know for sure until either later this year or sometime early next year. We can keep our fingers crossed.

[MASON KID]

I have'nt seen a general since!!!!!
someone ****in help me

1984. my brother , Timothy R. Mason (1976-1997) and me
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/MDWT/MDM/O1.jpg

I remember I had to stand on my tippi toes just to see in....then someone picked me up so I could get a better view......

can anyone tell if this is one of the generals from the show?? 1984 pic so im thinkin maybe

[CaptMarvel]

John says in this interview with Atlanta's Fox affiliate that this "could be" the last DukesFest. "You never know."

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=6862472&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.1.1


I hope it's not but I don't think we'll know for sure until either later this year or sometime early next year. We can keep our fingers crossed.



Lord I hope there's another dukesfest, I look forward to going there every year. This will be my third year to have gone to it. If not, I've had a blast the times I've gotten to go. Even tho the first year I only went one day, and didn't stay long due to the heat getting the best of me, plus the goofballs that were with me made it even worse. Maybe us fans can keep Dukesfest going some how.

[mike77]

This year was my first dukesfest, I'm in the military so it is hard for me to plan a family vacation but I am working in a non deployable unit for the time being so I took advantage of it and finally got to go. I hope that there is another one next year as that will be the last year I have in this unit (it's only a two year hitch) I did hear allot of talk of this being the last one though especially from people who had been to previous dukesfest. I am hoping that this was a ploy to draw more people and sell more merchandise.

[TimDuke]

MASON KID hate to dissapoint you but that isn't one fron the show. Rims are the dead give away along with the numbers are way off. Looks like it possibly could be a General Lee Enterprise car but more than likely a very early replica. I believe all the General Lee Enterpise cars had correct rims on them. General Lee Enterprise cars were built for WB but never were used in filming the TV show. They were used at all the Autoramas and World of Wheels shows back in the mid 80's early 90's. They built like 10 or 11 of them but they aren't considered "REAL" General Lees.

[GADuke01]

I believe all of the talk about 'DukesFest' 2008 being the last one was brought on by ticket sales, or rather, lack thereof. When my parents purchased their tickets at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket-office on Monday, June 23, track employees said that advance ticket sales had been very slow for the event. They said that they were hoping that "walk-up" ticket sales on the day of the event would boost the numbers up. However, after being there on both Saturday and Sunday, I just don't know if the "walk-up" ticket buyers made that big of a difference.



gaduke01

[CaptMarvel]

I believe all of the talk about 'DukesFest' 2008 being the last one was brought on by ticket sales, or rather, lack thereof. When my parents purchased their tickets at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket-office on Monday, June 23, track employees said that advance ticket sales had been very slow for the event. They said that they were hoping that "walk-up" ticket sales on the day of the event would boost the numbers up. However, after being there on both Saturday and Sunday, I just don't know if the "walk-up" ticket buyers made that big of a difference.



gaduke01


I bought my tickets thru ticket master way back in Feburary. Another thing that AMS needs to take into consideration is the rising fuel prices. Alot of folks including some of the General Lee owners couldn't make it this year due to high fuel. It's crazy but it's true. If it wasn't for the rising fuel costs, I believe that it would had been a good day for business.

[RogerDuke]

Hey GADuke01, are you really from Covington?

[Brian Coltrane]

I think moving DukesFest out of Nashville was a huge tactical error. Nashville backed that gig 100%, and to Atlanta it was just one more little shindig, hardly worth a mention.

Also in considering location - I'm willing to bet a good number of of traveling Dukes fans come from areas in the upper midwest and northeast of the country. There's loyal Dukes fans from all over the place, don't get me wrong, but many of the folks who had found TN or even VA a feasible road trip, couldn't swing to GA and back on a weekend.

I already bashed the promotional efforts months ago, but it's worth mentioning again. I'll also reiterate that this years's DukesFest had the challenge of the economy to cope with, plus there was no active airing of DOH on tv, no CNN backing.

All that said....those challenges were obvious, going into this thing, but I didn't see the DF promoters offering much against it. Instead, we saw announcements about Adam West.

Under the collective circumstances, the fact that this year's DukesFest had the turnout it did, is a tribute to the die-hards who made the trip and made the economic sacrifices to be there. To the GL owners and fans and volunteers who made the gig, we salute ya.

[TimDuke]

The move to Atlanta was supposed to be FOR the fans.That's where Dukes started.Atlanta,Conyers,Covington areas.It was held there for the 30th anniversary so fans could go see all the original filming locations and so forth. When this was first announced they didn't expect 4.15 a gallon gas along with everything else going up. You can't change plans at the last minute for an event this big once it's set. Agreed Adam West was bad choice. You can't please everyone or control the economy or control how well you are received at a certain city. This maybe the last one as far as a castmember sponsoring it. If you think you can do a better job, go for it. Then you can deal with all the headaches organizing an event this big with people complaining on this person should be there or that person shouldn't,what to do with all the Hazzard vehicles,ect. list goes on and on. Until then be grateful there even is an event like this.

[JESSI DUKE]

John's not stupid. I think the reason he said that was to get people talking about next year's Dukes Fest. To try to get more people to come next year.

Every time I turned on radio or looked at a paper. I saw something about dukesfest. Atlanta try there best to welcome dukesfest.

I will say the only thing that disappointed me was the maps that they had
to show you where filming location where at.

[GADuke01]

Hey GADuke01, are you really from Covington?

Yes sir.

[dukefan1]

yea the maps was a little off we went to see the farm and couldnt find but after we got home and looked at the atlas i remembered that it was up by loganville so we didnt get to see it but they could have put something about how many miles down the road things were, but it just gives me another reason to go back next year, even if gas prices are 6 dollars a gallon we are going, and if they dont have another dukesfest then we will still go to see the filming locations, but I think there will be another one.

[RogerDuke]

That's awesome GADuke01. It would be really cool to live in the birthplace of the greatest show in the history of this planet.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

I so knew that when John was taking over dukefest it was a bad idea..... the man is just to busy. Ben should have given it to someone else.

oh well theres always dvds.

[JESSI DUKE]

Emy you crack me up. You just knew that John taking it over was a bad idea.
If it wasn't for John then there would have not been a Dukesfest this year.
Do you even have idea on how hard that was for him and Elly to set up. What they had to go through to make sure everyone had a go time to get the people they had. This year's Dukes fest took alot of money to put together.
John and Elly did the BEST they could do. It's not cheap to run something like Dukesfest. Plus you have to consider the fact that they have family that comes first they kids to raise, bills to pay. It's not easy to raise a family with the way world is. They put there families needs before the fans. I for one think that's pretty cool. Uncle Jesse would have done the same thing.
Don't say something unless you know all the facts.

[DaisyMaeDuke]

I agree Jessi.

Anyone who saw Elly during Dukesfest could see how stressed she was, and that isn't even counting the stress leading up to the event. Add to that the fact that Alma, Ben's wife, has set up shows and things like this for years as part of her profession and that Elly is not an event coordinator by trade, and like you said they have teenagers still at home, Karis's games to attend, Chasen's plays to go to, etc. etc.

PLUS the fact that John has a hectic schedule...if hectic is even the right word for it.

John and Elly do what they can do, but they do have a life outside of Dukes, and family comes first for them. But to bash them and say that it was a "bad idea"- like Jessi said, it would not have happened at all if it werent for them. Be grateful.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

um.... you two just proved my point

John is busy with shows and movies etc. actors work0 from dawn till night. of course he'd want to spent the spare time with his family.
proving that he doesn't have the time to plan a thing like this.

He also needs to manage his money because hes an independent film maker that would cost lots of $$$ and take up his time as well

BTW i know what its like to host a large yearly event. as soon as that event is over you haave to start planning for the following year.

[DaisyMaeDuke]

I wasn't arguing with you...I was stating facts. I do not disagree that he is busy. I DO disagree that it was a bad idea altogether and that Ben should have given it to someone else. If John thought that he wouldn't have taken it on...

John and Elly are definately the people best suited to take it over because they have the money to help with initial costs and John is the one out of all the cast who embraces Dukes the most.


All I am saying is that you need to be thankful he took it on at all because, truth be told, it was a gamble with the economy as bad as it is....

[Emy-Rae Duke]

I wasnt arguing. this is a discussion.

Im still saying letting John take it over because the lack of free time John has.
so what if he loves it the most?

maybe he's not having any more, because its too much time to plan. so he gave it up until he has time.

[DaisyMaeDuke]

Call it what you want Emy...it don't matter to me.

Truth be told John wasnt the one who got it all together. He may have had ideas and done a few of the contacting of people, but he was too busy to do most of the planning. So really, if you want to get technical,the reason it is not taking place is not because of John's schedule. He's just as busy this year as he was last year.

The economy is bad and it costs a lot of money for people to make the trip down though, especially if driving General Lees who dont get much mileage per gallon.

And again I say be thankful he had it last year at all- he took a chance, especially making it as big as he did for the 30th anniversary.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

Blaming the economy is not a good idea. If we blamed he economy on everything ALL social and sporting events wont happen. what would people say if the super bowl got canceled because because they were too busy, but made the excuse "the economy"?

It's really the lack of free time John has thats all. If John wasn't working, (which I hope that wont happen until hes ready to retire or something) then it would have been better.

btw. this year was the 29th anniversary, next year would have been the 30th. 1979 + 30 = 2009.
they may have began filming in 78 but it was jan 26th 1979 it came out on tv.

[DaisyMaeDuke]

Emy...find out what you are talking about before you argue with me. Dukesfest was PROMOTED as the 30th anniversary....by John himself!!! So if you have an argument there, take it up with him, not me.

As to blaming the economy for everything, I don't and never said I did. But facts are facts and if you worked with struggling families and such, as I do, and were from the area I am, maybe you would understand what I am saying...but you dont so I guess it's a mute point EXCEPT to say that John himself said that it depended on the economy whether there would be one this year. I am just reitterating what he said. So again...take it up with John if you want to argue. I am not interested in doing so.

He's just as busy now as he was last year, and he didnt plan it anyway, so, say what you want, but his busy schedule isn't the reason.

[BoJamesDuke]

Emy, me and Daisy were VIP's at Dukesfest this year thankfully because Daisy won a contest and I helped input a little bit into the show. We were incrediably lucky to meet John adn Elly and all the backstage crew that came with the show to make it happen. Believe me, John's busy schedule has nothing to do with Dukesfest not being on next year whatsoever. Its not just John and Elly that run it, produce it, they have a whole team behind them which they pay. I met a wonderful lady called Renee who made the decision with Elly to let me co host the trivia part of Dukesfest. They are not alone in making this event, John works hard to make the money for things like this and for people to get it organized.

The word from John and the team behind him are that the credit crunch at the moment is the main reason for not going ahead. The Economy affects everybody, from the little people to the celebrities. Less money = less being paid out to EVERYONE! He's thinking about the people who travel from all over America to be at this event, who will already be suffering from the credit crunch without having to worry about the cost of Dukesfest. As Daisy already said, the General Lee Owners especially have this to worry about! Giving rides around the track costs THEM a lot of money in gas because as we all know, the General now has terrible terrible milage.

Your being incredibaly immature by trying to blame this all on Alma and Ben passing it on to John and Elly. If it weren't for them the 30th anniversary would never have happened. As I recall, you were happy John and Elly were taking it over so we could have another one this year when we were all chatting about it on the boards! Only now that it might not go ahead next year do you start saying I knew this, I knew that. John, Elly and the team did incredibly well considering they had no real financial backing this year as the other ones have and I believe its the first time in some years since all of the remaining cast have been together at a Dukesfest.

So yeah, actually Emy it is largely down to the credit crunch, not John's busy schedule or family life. John isn't thinking about himself, he rarely ever does. Its all about his fans and whether or not it would be feasable to hold the event in such a time of economic crisis. The same is true over here in England, our financial situation isn't much better. So before you go making immature comments about what you supposedly 'knew' or 'know', try finding out some more into what makes these kinds of events would you.

Oh and as for it being the 29th this year...sorry, but the first episode was MADE 30 years ago. That was what the cast base it on, the crew and most die hard fans...not just TV fans. That's what we were celebrating, the coming together of a wonderful cast, writers, directors and producers who taught and still teach a whole generation of people lots about life and moral standards. We don't need Dukesfest to celebrate the Dukes, its a bonus that Alma and Ben started and i'm sure eventually John and Elly will continue. How many other shows do you know that have its own event for its own fans, not talking about sci-fi conventions or anything like that. The Dukes cast put a lot of time and effort into getting and being at Dukesfest, especially the elder of the cast like Rosco, Enos and Cletus, to celebrate with the fans. So next year is a break for them, one year I think they deserve to be honest. Its been 30 glorious years since Dukes was STARTED not just aired and I say YEEEE HAWWWWWW and may it live on for 30 glorious more!

[DaisyMaeDuke]

Well said Bo.

[JESSI DUKE]

You go Bo!!!

[Emy-Rae Duke]

ok ok ok 3 against 1 you know how to fight.

so its the economy. lets not have a Macy's Thanksgiving day parade or super bowl games again because the economy's bad oh and lets not forget NASCAR because the economys bad

[BoJamesDuke]

Oh and lets not forget who runs those events shall we? COMPANYS WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY!!! Dukesfest is funded by John, how much money do you think he brings in after feeding his family, paying his bills and taxes? How many companies do you think Dukesfest was sponsored by this year? Hardly any! How many sponsors do the General Lee owners have to give them money? NONE Its being paid for out of other people's pockets, not some huge company.

Fact is, people dont want to sponsor Dukes because of all the bad publicity its been getting about the flag on its roof, it being taken off of CMT and given to a channel that has no interest in it. So it recieves no money, for it to make a profit, John would have to hike up the price of merchandise to huge amounts as well as the tickets, the GL owners would have to charge more for rides and no one would be able to/want to pay that much.

You really need to do more reasearch into this before you go shouting your mouth off Emy, seriously.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

like i said its the economy

[BoJamesDuke]

Like I said, you know nothing about this at all, and are making immature and frankly stupid comments about which you know nothing and because you like to think your right about everything, you wont admit when your wrong.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

I said, I agree with the fact that its the economy.

[BoJamesDuke]

No, actually you put on a really sarcastic tone and said


so its the economy. lets not have a Macy's Thanksgiving day parade or super bowl games again because the economy's bad oh and lets not forget NASCAR because the economys bad

Meaning you dont think that at all. Or if you really think that would happen, I pity you...obviously you have a lesser IQ count than I thought.

[DaisyMaeDuke]

Emy...

I dont need to call reinforcements if I want to fight.... I can handle myself thank you very much.

It's not my fault if people agree with the truth.

You keep saying the same stuff and as Bo has tried to point out and me and Jessi you have no idea what you are talking about.

Bo makes an excellent point: Think about the sponsors of those events you talk of... If John had all the publicity the parade has....or if he had sponsors' names plastered all over his General Lee like a NACSAR vehicle, maybe then he could afford to have someone other than his WIFE to be his EVENT COORDINATOR. Elly didn't get paid for all that you know... she does it cuz she loves and supports John.

John is not sponsored like that and neither is Dukesfest..they had a hard time getting sponsors, but they ran Dukesfest anyway. Can't you just be thankful we had Dukesfest at all and for once quit trying to argue with everyone? It gets old real quick...

[Emy-Rae Duke]

OK so its the Economy's fault

[JESSI DUKE]

Emy I'm not sure what world you are living or even if your reading what Bo is saying. But your sounding like broken recorder.

[BoJamesDuke]

For now that's the only explanation we've been given from John himself yes.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

ok ok ok don't you people understand english?

I agree that because of the economy there will not be a dukesfest.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

No, actually you put on a really sarcastic tone and said



Meaning you dont think that at all. Or if you really think that would happen, I pity you...obviously you have a lesser IQ count than I thought.


I'm going to let this slide...

[DaisyMaeDuke]

Emy....why don't you just be quiet? It's really aggravating. You start off saying it isnt the economy...and now you sound like a broken record saying you agree it's the economy but you dont leave it at that...you hafta keep adding things to stir the pot and get something going all the time. Is there a deep down need inside of you that is not satisfied unless you are arguing with someone or making trouble? Really... why do you hafta keep going on and on about it unless you are trying to start something? That is NOT what Hazzardnet is for.

And as far as this goes:


I'm going to let this slide...


Gosh...that's awful big of you....almost sounds to me you are saying Bo should be thankful you are letting this slide...which sounds like a threat...

Hazzardnet is not here for the sole purpose of you stirring things up against people. It's here for us to enjoy. When you act like you are it is not enjoyable.

Why don't you act your age and not your character's age for a change?

[Emy-Rae Duke]

ok.

[BoJamesDuke]

Meh i'm not bothered about what she lets slide, I've not said anything that's nearly as bad as the things she's said to us Daisy.

[DaisyMaeDuke]

Yeah...I know. *hugs*

[Meadowmufn]

Brian and I have a bit of insight into what goes on to put together a DukesFest. And believe me, it's the economy. We were surprised they even had DukesFest this year, what with $4 a gallon gas. It must've cost a fortune for the fans to get there, let alone the General Lee owners that gave rides.

Now, since it appears we all agree that it's the ECONOMY now, Emy, could you just leave this thread alone? All you seem to be doing is antagonizing the other folks trying to have a discussion here. DukesFest would not have continued if John and Elly hadn't taken it over. That's a fact. We're lucky the fans got one more year out of it. Any more DukesFests will be a bonus.

And the rest of you, I know Emy can be trying sometimes, but please keep the conversation a little more civil. Insults are not needed.

[Emy-Rae Duke]

fine with me. :)

[BoJamesDuke]

No problem Mon Capitan!!! ;)