PARSIPPANY — The 33rd Annual LEAD EAST, World’s Biggest 50’s Party and New York/New Jersey Metro’s Biggest Old Car Event will be held from Wednesday, September 2 thru Sunday, September 6 at the Hilton Hotel, One Hilton Court.
Thursday admission: Adults – $20.00, Senior – $15.00 and Junior $10.00.
Friday, Saturday or Sunday Admission: Adults – $30.00, Seniors – $25.00 and Juniors $20.00
“Adult” – 18 to 65 years old
“Junior” – 12 to 17 years
“Senior” – 66 yrs and older
“Children” – 11 and under
Children 11 and under admitted FREE to car show when accompanied by adult.
Children need a ticket for Saturday and Sunday Night Oldies Concerts; and Friday Night Dance Party.
Click here for discount coupon.
Weekend Adult Wristband: $65.00; Senior Wristband $55.00 and Junior Wristband $55.00.
The schedule of events includes:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Plan A Cars with Wed. night hotel reservations at Hilton/Hampton Inn pick up their Plan A 2015 credentials on entry road and check into hotels.
Noon to 6:00 p.m.
VIP Early 2016 hotel reservations and 2016 Old Car Registration and Plan A Car parking reservations available in Hilton Lobby for those guests staying in the Hilton / Hampton Inn Hotel Wednesday night.
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
KICKOFF PARTY in the Hotel Ballroom with D.J. LIL’ JIMMY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Plan A’s checking into Hilton/Hampton Inn Thursday pick up their Old Car Registration at Hilton entry road. Only Plan A cars admitted to the event on Thursday.
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
VIP Early 2016 hotel reservations and 2016 Old Car Registration and Plan A Parking Spot Reservations available for those guests checking into the Hilton and/or Hampton Inn. This is a golden opportunity to renew your existing room.
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
WELCOME PARTY with Band THE JERSEY SHORE ROUSTABOUTS from Toms River in the Hotel Ballroom.
8:00 p.m. to Midnight
OUTDOOR MOVIES at the ACE DRIVE-IN Theatre: A quadruple-headed double feature: Two movies skillfully edited together by our video whiz Bob Byers, THE THING WITH TWO HEADS (1972) starring RAY MILLAND and ex-NFL Ram ROSIE GRIER, spliced together with THE INCREDIBLE TWO-HEADED TRANSPLANT (1971) with BRUCE DERN and CASEY KASEM. Second feature: FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956) with WALTER PIDGEON, ANNE FRANCIS and LESLIE NIELSEN. plus a third feature DRAG STRIP GIRL (1957) with FAY SPAIN, TV TOMMY IVO, FRANK GORSHIN and STEVEN TERRELL. We’ve had Drive-In movies every year for 33 years!
11:00 p.m.
CURFEW FOR KIDS (into hotel rooms or leave the property)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
9:00 a.m. to Midnight
LEAD EAST Open to the Public. Tow vehicles and trailers park in Campus 6 parking lot.
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
50’s COLLECTIBLES SHOW in Rear Ballroom and Ballroom Pre-Assembly area: Juke boxes, vintage clothes, Elvis, Marilyn, and James Dean memorabilia, and lots of other goodies for sale!
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Old Car Registration for Plan A’s from Friday morning on, will take place in a new location (to be announced).
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Reserved seat tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday Oldies Concerts on sale in Main Hallway, just inside from the revolving door. Prom Tickets on sale here, too.
10:00 a.m. to Midnight
Outdoor D.J. JERRY “WOLFMAN” BURST spins platters, does requests, dedications, and announcements. Tune your radio to 88.1 FM for our low-power broadcast from his outdoor HQ tent in the Rear Hilton Lot near HAMPTON INN entrance.
12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m.
BACK AGAIN! Free SHAG DANCE LESSONS by great dancers and teachers TONY & SUZY ELDRETH from Pfafftown, NC. 3 day lessons recommended. The SHAG is the Carolinas’ dance craze! In the Heritage Room.
12:00 Noon to Midnight
50’s KARAOKE and Open Mike presented by PAT FERANTE in Hotel Lobby Atrium. Plenty of chairs for people to sit down all weekend!
3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Plan B OLD CAR REGISTRATION: The B lot (7 Campus) opening time TO BE ANNOUNCED (subject to property owner’s approval). ONLY Pre-Registered Plan B cars with reserved parking spot in Campus 7 (Kraft) Lot may pick up credentials Friday afternoon. Pre-Registered B cars with or without a reserved parking spot in Diiachi Lot pick up credentials at 5:00 p.m. Diiachi Lot opens after 5:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COOLEST CRUISER CONTEST. Be a star in your car by the Outdoor Stage – while Wolfman makes comments!
5:00 p.m. throughout the Weekend
HANDICAPPED PARKING: Located in the Campus 9 parking lot off Hilton Court, immediately adjacent to our Main Spectator Ticket Booth. We do not have use of these Spectator Parking Lots until 5:00 p.m. Friday. When you enter the property, ask the Parking Attendant to direct you to HANDICAPPED Parking Area.
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
On-site Non-Pre Registered Plan B’s: Do not come to Car Registration until 5:00 p.m., then park in Daiichi Lot. Because this is a business complex operating during the week, please don’t bring your B cars Friday morning and expect to get into the event or find a place to park before Registration opens to B cars.
7:30 p.m.
NEW! FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY!
Come dance your socks off with the rockin’ 5-piece band THE GREYHOUNDS from Poughkeepsie, NY, teamed with the always dynamic GOLDEN GUP from Denville, and THE WHIPTONES from Whippany for good measure! $10.00 for anyone already inside the event, or $10.00 plus General Admission for anyone not inside the event.
8:00 p.m. to Midnight
“SENIOR” SOCK HOP at our Outdoor Stage (largest dance area) with THE RAVE ON BAND. a great BUDDY HOLLEY and ROY ORBISON Tribute band from Union, NJ. DJ’d by LIL’ JIMMY from Peabody, MA. Enter the Best Dancer Contest Preliminaries, where three couples will be selected for Saturday night’s DANCE OFF.
8:00 p.m. to Midnight
OUTDOOR 50’s MOVIES at the ACE DRIVE-IN. Tonight is “Weird Chicks from Another Planet Night” featuring CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON (1953) starring SONNY TUFTS, VICTOR JORY and MARIE WINDSOR, plus DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1954), a British flick starring nobody you ever heard of. Third feature: STANLEY KUBRICK’s acclaimed 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) starring KEIR DULLEA. “Open the pod bay door, Hal.” Eleven-minute light show at the end where acid heads would sit in the front row of the theatre to watch on the big screen. Bring lawn chairs.
8:45 p.m.
Best Jr. Bobby Soxer, Jr. Greaser, and Jr. Nerd CONTESTS in Lobby Atrium
10:45 p.m. (time approximate)
DANCE CONTEST PRELIMINARIES by Outdoor Stage
11:00 p.m.
CURFEW FOR KIDS (into hotel rooms or leave the property)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
8:00 a.m.
Old Car Registration opens in GAF Parking Lot off Campus Drive. In previous years the event was Sold Out for Old Car Entries (i.e. FULL) by 10:30 a.m. Saturday, so we suggest if you did not Pre-Register your old car as a Plan A or Plan B, get there early! Pre-registered and on site One Day Saturday cars welcomed again!
9:00 a.m. to Midnight
LEAD EAST Open to the Public. 1,800+ 1972 and earlier Cars, Hot Rods, Street Rods, Rat Rods, Stock Restored Cars, and other Custom Cars on display in three parking lots.
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
50’s COLLECTIBLES SHOW in Rear Ballroom and Ballroom Pre-Assembly area: Juke boxes, vintage clothes, Elvis, Marilyn, and James Dean memorabilia, and lots of other goodies for sale!
10:00 a.m. to Midnight
Outdoor D.J. JERRY “WOLFMAN” BURST spins platters, does requests, dedications, and announcements. Tune your radio to 88.1 FM for our low-power broadcast from his outdoor HQ tent in the Rear Hilton Lot near HAMPTON INN entrance.
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
All of the remaining unsold Hilton and Hampton Hotel rooms for LEAD EAST 2016 will go on sale in the Hilton Lobby. You need to book a four-night stay (Thursday through Sunday) and Credit Cards will not be accepted. A one night’s stay deposit in cash or check is required. At the past several events, all rooms for the following year were SOLD OUT at the event. Expect the same thing to happen for the 2016 LEAD EAST event.
10:00 a.m. to ??
Hear Teenaged Doo Wop Group THE WHIPTONES, all over the place, singing great four- and five-part harmony.
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Strolling A Cappella Group MIXED COMPANY performing indoors and outdoors, continuing the old LEAD EAST tradition of wandering indoors and out, popping up and singing great four- and five-part harmony.
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Is your old car broken? Go see the nice guys from MEADOWLANDS STREET ROD ASSOCIATION in their HOT ROD REPAIR SHOP in the Hilton Lot. They also conduct free NSRA Safety Inspections.
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Reserved seat tickets for Saturday and Sunday Oldies Concerts on sale in Main Hallway, just inside from the revolving door. Prom Tickets on sale here, too.
11:00 a.m.
Register to compete for the two-hour DOO WOP IDOL Competition with Rob and Laura Albanese in the Lobby Atrium. Those who don’t sign up may be worked into the schedule.
11:00 a.m. to Noon
Free BASIC 50’s DANCING LESSONS at Outdoor Stage presented by LOU VINCI and MICHELLE LEOTTA.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to Midnight
50’s KARAOKE and OPEN MIKE directed by PAT FERANTE in the Hotel Lobby Atrium. Pat provides the recorded music for the KARAOKE. He is authorized to supervise the KARAOKE & OPEN MIKE event. Pat will flip-flop back and forth from KARAOKE to OPEN MIKE for you to get up and perform. The best part of it is the high quality performances of a big percentage of those participating!
12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m.
SEMINAR on HOW TO DRESS 50’s STYLE, presented by KAT BUNKER in Morris Room #9.
12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m.
BACK AGAIN! Free SHAG DANCE LESSONS by great dancers and teachers TONY & SUZY ELDRETH from Pfafftown, NC. Multiple lessons recommended. The SHAG is the Carolinas’ dance craze! In the Heritage Room.
12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m.
PUZZLE CONTEST and TWO HOUR MODEL CAR CONTEST by Outdoor Pool. Two categories: 17 and younger, 18 and older. We supply the models. All models will be the same. Only the parts supplied can be used. No parts can be pre–assembled. 1/24 or 1/25 scale kits.
12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.
A LEAD EAST tradition, killer Rockabilly band, the always wicked RAZORBACKS featuring KENNY DUDA, perform on the Outdoor Stage. Dancing is encouraged, in fact it’s mandatory!
12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m.
MAKE-A-WISH Foundation Charity Raffle. Free Children’s Activities (face painting, etc.) in Main Hall near Hotel Ballroom, inside revolving door. Last year’s 50-50 winner took home $19,725.00!! Make A Wish has raised over $170,000.00 in the 11 years they have been doing the 50/50 at LEAD EAST. This resulted in more than 20 WISHES being granted!
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
DAY #1 of DOO WOP IDOL in Lobby Atrium. Any amateur individual or group can sign up, get on stage, and perform one song in “IDOL” competition. Judges select one winner for $300.00 cash prize. Today’s winner will also perform one song on stage in Hotel Ballroom in Saturday night Oldies Concert. One year, five finalists each got an opportunity to perform on stage at the Saturday night Concert.
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Day #1 of A Cappella Doo Wop Show with four groups in the Hotel Ballroom. Fabulous five-part harmony, a vocal art form. No extra admission charge for anyone inside the event. Saturday’s groups include SENTIMENTAL REASONS, THE MAGIC TOUCH, MIXED COMPANY and MEMORIES OF YOU.
7:00 p.m.
GOLDEN OLDIES CONCERT in the Hotel Ballroom starring CLEVELAND STILL & THE DUBS (“Could This Be Magic?”), WILLIE WINFIELD & THE HARPTONES (“Sunday Kind of Love”), THE JARMELS (“A Little Bit or Soap”), plus great young a cappella group from the next town of Whippany, NJ THE WHIPTONES. Also one song by Saturday’s DOO WOP IDOL Winner. With intermission. Reserved seat tickets available online, by calling (908) 876-9100, or at the event.
8:00 p.m. to Midnight
Outdoor movies at the ACE DRIVE IN Theatre. 3D triple feature: RETURN OF THE CREATURE (1955 sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon) with JOHN AGAR, plus ALFRED HITCHCOCK’s DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954) starring RAY MILLAND, GRACE KELLY and ROBERT CUMMINGS. And third, the first 3D color stereoscopic feature BWANA DEVIL shot in “Natural Vision” starring ROBERT STACK, BARBARA BRITTON and NIGEL BRUCE. Bring lawn chairs. We hand out FREE 3D glasses!
8:30 p.m. to 12:00 Midnight
THE GOLDEN GUP and the RHYTHMHANCERS perform on Outdoor Stage. A LEAD EAST tradition – the asphalt will rock, jump, and wiggle! Absolutely one of the most rockin’ scenes at the event. Bring your lawn chairs.
9:00 p.m.
DANCE CONTEST FINALS in Lobby Atrium. Three finalist couples compete for $300 cash prize.
11:00 p.m.
CURFEW FOR KIDS (into hotel rooms or leave the property)
1:00 a.m. (approx.) until it ends (sunrise?)
The GOLDEN GUP’s officially sanctioned late night Rhythm n’ Blues PARKING LOT PARTY with his jukebox-powered, shockingly pink “JUKEBUG.” No other car event on this planet has activities scheduled ’til dawn! At previous LEAD EASTs they went ’til sunrise!!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
8:00 a.m.
Old Car Registration for Sunday One-day 1974 and earlier vehicle participants; parking in Daiichi Lot.
9:00 a.m. to Midnight
LEAD EAST Open to the Public. Tow vehicles and trailers park in Campus 6 parking lot. See 1,800+ 1974 and earlier Cars, Hot Rods, Street Rods, Rat Rods, Stock Restored Cars, and other Custom Cars on display in four parking lots.
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
SUNDAY CHAPEL SERVICE at the outdoor Gazebo with Event Director JIM CRAIG. Bring lawn chairs & blankets. (Rain location: Hotel Ballroom)
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
50’s COLLECTIBLES SHOW in Rear Ballroom and Ballroom Pre-Assembly area: Juke boxes, vintage clothes, Elvis, Marilyn, and James Dean “stuff” for sale!
10:00 a.m. until ???
Strolling Teenaged Doo Wop Group, THE WHIPTONES continue the LEAD EAST tradition of wandering indoors and out, popping up and singing great four- and five-part harmony.
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
MAKE-A-WISH Foundation Charity Raffle. Free Children’s Activities (face painting, etc.) in Main Hall near Hotel Ballroom, inside revolving door. Last year’s 50-50 winner took home $19,725!! Make A Wish has raised over $170,000 in the 11 years they have been doing the 50/50 at LEAD EAST. This resulted in more than 20 WISHES being granted!
10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Reserved seat tickets for Sunday Oldies Concerts on sale in Main Hallway, just inside from the revolving door. Prom Tickets on sale here, too.
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If your old car needs a repair to get home, try the MEADOWLANDS STREET ROD ASSOCIATION’s HOT ROD REPAIR SHOP in the Hilton Lot. They also conduct free NSRA Safety Inspections.
10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
NEW! TRI-FIVE CHEVY MINI-MEET: On Sunday we will hold a “Show within a Show” just for 1955, ’56 and ’57 Chevrolets (cars and trucks). The cars will park in a special roped-off area of the Daiichi lot. There will be judging and awards for Best Stock Restored and Best Modified for each year.
10:00 a.m. to Midnight
Outdoor D.J. JERRY “WOLFMAN” BURST spins platters, does requests, dedications, and announcements. Tune your radio to 88.1 FM for our low-power broadcast from his outdoor HQ tent in the Rear Hilton Lot near HAMPTON INN entrance.
10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
AWARD WINNING CARS ON DISPLAY near Ace Drive-In screen
11:00 a.m. to Noon
Free BASIC 50’s DANCING LESSONS at Outdoor Stage, presented by LOU VINCI and MICHELLE LEOTA.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to Midnight
50’s KARAOKE and OPEN MIKE directed by PAT FERANTE in the Hotel Lobby Atrium. Pat provides the recorded music for the KARAOKE. He is authorized to supervise the KARAOKE & OPEN MIKE event. Pat will flip-flop back and forth from KARAOKE to OPEN MIKE for you to get up and perform. The best part of it is the high quality performances of a big percentage of those participating!
12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m.
SEMINAR on HOW TO DRESS 50’s STYLE, presented by KAT BUNKER in Morris Room #9.
12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m.
BACK AGAIN! Free SHAG DANCE LESSONS by great dancers and teachers TONY & SUZY ELDRETH from Pfafftown, NC. The SHAG is the Carolinas’ dance craze! In the Heritage Room.
12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Rockabilly band, THE RAZORBACKS, perform on the Outdoor Stage. Another Lead East tradition – it is universally agreed that these guys are a rockin’ band that always pleases the crowd!
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
DOO WOP IDOL Day #2 in Lobby Atrium. Any individual or group (amateurs only) can sign up, get up on stage and perform one song in “IDOL” competition. Judges will select one winner for a $300.00 cash prize! The winner also earns the right to perform one song on stage in this evening’s Oldies Concert in the Hotel Ballroom.
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Day #2 A CAPPELLA DOO WOP SHOW with four groups in Hotel Ballroom. Fabulous five-part harmony you won’t find many other places on Earth. Seats are not reserved in afternoon. Today’s groups include CLASSIC SOUNDS, ECHOS OF TIME, DESIRE and PARTY OF FIVE.
5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS for TOP CUSTOMS, plus Special Awards presented to the BEST STREET ROD, BEST STOCK RESTORED, BEST MUSCLE CAR, and WORST RAT ROD at the Outdoor Stage. Plus, drawing of $100.00 cash prize to those who filled out survey form at the admission gate.
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The 29th Annual SENIOR PROM in the Elements Ballroom, with Master of Ceremonies/D.J. LIL’ JIMMY from Peabody, MA. Crowning of Prom Queen 2015. Must be properly attired: no jeans, t-shirts, shorts, or sneakers. Gals must wear dress or skirt; guys must wear jacket or suit – tie optional. Prom Tickets are $20/couple, on sale in Main Hallway, just inside from the revolving door.
7:00 p.m.
GOLDEN OLDIES CONCERT in Hotel Ballroom starring JIMMY GALLAGHER & THE PASSIONS (“Just to be With You”), MILTON LOVE & THE SOLITAIRES (“Walking Along“), THE DANLEERS (“One Summer Night”) and one of the area’s top a cappella groups CLASSIC SOUNDS. Also one song by Sunday’s DOO WOP IDOL Winner. Reserved seat tickets available online, by calling 908-876-9100, or at the event. Drawing at 9:00 p.m. onstage for the MAKE-A WISH 50-50 Winner after intermission. Last year the winner took home $19,725! Winner does not have to be present.
8:00 p.m. to Midnight
DRIVE-IN MOVIES: Triple feature: SILENT RUNNING (1972) starring BRUCE DERN; SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN (1951) with GEORGE REEVES. You’ll love the cheap special effects when he catches the body falling from the wall, and check the two-tone paint job on the car in the scene where the Mole Men brandish their vacuum-cleaner Ray Gun. Third feature THE CHOPPERS (1961), a gang of hot rod teenage delinquents terrorize a small community by stealing cars and stripping them for parts. Bring lawn chairs.
11:00 p.m.
CURFEW FOR KIDS (into hotel rooms or leave the property)
