Events Hamfests

2025-09-06 OARC (Carp) Hamfest 2025

2025-04-05
AdminOARC

OARC Carp Hamfest, this year on September 6, 2025, is the region’s largest Amateur Radio flea market and trade show, featuring most of the big ham radio retailers, fellow hams selling radio goodies at unbelievable prices, and major door prizes. This is the OARC’s annual flagship event!

Volunteer to help organize Hamfest, starting now

Ed Sich has been delivering Carp Hamfest since 2007 and we’re all so grateful to Ed for his organization skills and boundless energy. This year for the first time, we’re filling three additional, longer-term, volunteer roles starting now (spring 2025):

  • Hamfest vendor and exhibitor relations
  • Hamfest venue logistics
  • Hamfest volunteer coordination

This small team will learn how the maestro conducts this busy and complex event, and will take some of the load off him going forward. If you think that you or someone you know might be interested in one of these longer-term volunteer roles, then let’s have a no-obligation chat to explore the possibilities. Please click the blue button and use the “Comments or Suggestions” box at the bottom to let us know. We will follow up with you shortly!

CLICK HERE to volunteer to help out

Volunteer at Hamfest on September 6th

We also need a small army of volunteers for the Hamfest event itself on September 6, 2025. Some roles include:

  • venue set-up (afternoon of the day before)
  • road sign set-up and take-down
  • parking lot and tailgate relations
  • vendor registration
  • front-door ticket seller
  • inside vendor relations
  • photographer
  • talk-in (on-air notice on local repeaters)
  • announcer
  • OARC membership and extras table
  • venue tear down and clean up
CLICK HERE to volunteer to help out

Reserve your vendor or exhibitor table

If you are commercial or private vendor, don’t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your products and connect with amateur radio customers from across the National Capital Region.

If you are an exhibitor (e.g., local amateur radio club or organization), book a table to engage with potential new members and other audiences.

  • Tables: $17 per 8-foot table (does NOT include admission fee)
    All tables are 8 feet long. That’s 33% more space than most hamfests!
    Please book tables early to reserve your preferred table location!
CLICK HERE to reserve vendor/exhibitor tables

What to expect at OARC Carp Hamfest 

The OARC Carp Hamfest features several great door prizes donated by the commercial vendors.

Based on 2024, some commercial vendors may include:

Exhibitors and organizations may include: Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®), Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA), several regional Amateur Radio clubs, and more.

  • Venue setup date and time
    Friday, September 05, 2025 at a 2:00 pm – Venue set up
    NOTE that this is setup for the infrastructure, NOT for vendors.
  • Hamfest date and start times
    Saturday, September 06, 2025
    Commercial vendor setup: 7:30 am
    Private vendor and exhibitor setup: 8:00 am
    Open to public: 9:00 am – 12 noon
    Teardown after 12 noon
  • Cost
    Admission: $6 per person. Children 12 and under are free.
    Parking: FREE!
    Coffee and snack concession in the lobby area.

Write your Amateur Radio exam on-site

Write your Amateur Radio Operator Certificate exam at Hamfest under the supervision of an examiner accredited by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). You can also upgrade. If you are upgrading, bring the 11-digit certificate number on your current Certificate to speed processing.

Need more info?

For INFO ONLY contact Ed VE3WGO via hamfest@oarc.net

OARC Carp Hamfest Location

Last Updated on 2025-06-11 by Joannadanna