Members of the Lawrence Antique Automobile Club could not have hoped for better weather Friday for their 44th annual swap meet.

“Thursday’s rain made the grounds a little muddy for the setup,” said Joe Arneson, chairman of the meet for the sixth straight year. “It’s hot out here, though, and there’s all kind of stuff that you can get for a good price.”

By “stuff” Arneson meant anything auto-related: carburetors, steering wheels, gasoline cans and even parts for a ’63 Chevy Impala.

The swap meet is the largest of its kind in Kansas, according to the automobile club. License plates from California, Texas and Canada found space right next to the more frequent Missouri and Kansas tags.

Don Legler took the day off to drive to the meet from Topeka. He said the atmosphere is a car lover’s dream.

“You can’t help but find something here,” Legler said. “I found a tank I’m going to try to use for alternative fuel for one of my cars.”

Joey Cash, who has traveled from Omaha, Neb., to the swap meet for more than 30 years, had a different approach to the day.

“I don’t care if I sell or find anything; that’s not real important to me,” Cash said. “I come here to see my friends and talk to the old-timers; that’s what it’s about.”

Crowds of 10,000 to 15,000 are expected to visit the swap meet this weekend at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. The event gets under way at 6 a.m. today and runs until dark, then resumes at 6 a.m. Sunday, packing up at noon.

Linda and Jerry Elsner arrived at the swap meet from Rogers, Ark. Jerry was looking for pedal cars. He ended up buying a box of pink flamingos for $10.

“It’s a heck of a deal,” said Elsner, whose son lives in Olathe. “My wife loves to shop and that was a bargain.”

Vendors pay roughly $40 for a plot of land on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers estimate nearly 600 vendors signed up this year.

The money raised from the weekend goes toward two $1,000 scholarships given to graduating high school seniors in Lawrence. To receive the scholarship, students must plan on studying something related to car restoration or repair at a vocational school.

Those seeking space for next year’s meet better act fast, as Arneson said they start taking reservation for next year’s event today.

“Each year, this thing is just going to get bigger,” he said.