Erlbacher Crank-in & Homecoming 2023

We are excited that you are considering coming to visit us!

What this event is: As veterans of our previous crank-ins will tell you, this event is set up to be a positive, learning environment. It is a place to learn and share techniques, from beginner to advanced. You will meet helpful, friendly people here who will be more than happy to help newer knitters. If you are hesitant to come solo, cast all your doubts aside! This is an opportunity to make new friends and renew old acquaintances.  

What this event is not: This event is NOT a high pressure (or any pressure for that matter) sales pitch for our machine. You don’t have to own one of our machines to attend. There will be many different machines here, both antique and modern. It’s always interesting to see the many different machines and table set ups!

In the upcoming weeks, more detailed information will be made available (demonstration list, etc.)

This crank in has the potential to be the biggest one ever and we will have plenty of space! Don’t miss out!

VENUE INFORMATION:

Our newer, bigger venue for this year is The Drury Convention Center. The Convention Center is on a single level, so we won’t have to try to navigate the elevator like we did at The Elks last year. The Convention Center is located at 3351 Percy Drive, near the intersection of Interstate 55 and William Street. Our crank-in veterans will remember this is in the same proximity as the Pear Tree Inn, Auburn Place and several eating establishments. If you decide to stay at the Convention Center, they have reserved a block of very nice rooms for us at a reduced rate. Included in this reduced room rate are: complimentary hot breakfast (Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, KELSO+BROS® coffee and more) from 6am to 930am weekdays and 7am to 10am on weekends. Also included in the price of your room is an evening complimentary drink and snack station from 5:30pm to 7pm. This station features a rotating menu of hot food, beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks. There is also a very nice restaurant (The Southerner) located at the venue.

Should you decide to stay there, reservations can be made two ways; first, online at www.druryhotels.com, then enter group number 10019155. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and refer to the same group number, 10019155.

If you plan on staying at the Drury Convention Center, reservations must be made on or before April 1st, 2023, which is the cutoff date. There are several other hotels, inns, campgrounds and AirBnb’s located in the area as well.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

WEDNESDAY, May 3^rd, 2023: WELCOME / CRANK-IN SET UP 3pm – 8pm

Set up for the crank-in will start at 3pm. Although Erlbacher staff will be present prior to that time, we ask that participants wait until 3pm to enter. This will allow us time to set up our store / workshop. After 3pm, we can be more readily available to assist you with anything you might need for your setup. We look forward to meeting and greeting you!

The Convention Center has stipulations on bringing food and drinks into the venue. In order to meet these conditions, this precludes us from having a “service table” (snack table) as we have had in the past. We do not believe this includes individuals who bring their own drinks (such as a travel mug with coffee, etc.) into the venue. Therefore, we will not be having a formal welcome “party” this year. Registered hotel guests can take advantage of the Drury Kickback area (located near the main lobby) after 5:30pm.

THURSDAY, May 4th, 2023: CRANK -IN  DAY ONE  8am – 10pm

Late arrivals can set up at this time. There will be a classroom located adjacent to the Main Event floor that will be opened at 8am for setup. The Beginners Class will begin at 9am and will conclude around 11am. BYOM (Bring Your Own Machine) to this class. If you don’t own a machine, we have a couple of loaners that will be available. Lunch will be on your own today, so please take the opportunity to explore our town and its many nice restaurants! The Ribbing Class will be in the same classroom from 1pm – 3pm. Both of our instructors are extremely knowledgeable and you are sure to learn a lot from these classes. The Crank-In will now be in full swing on the Main Event floor!

FRIDAY, May 5th, 2023: CRANK-IN   DAY TWO  8am – 10pm

At 8am, the Crank-In will start! Starting at 9am (with a lunchtime break) there will be demonstrations at the top of the hour and a shuttle for tours of Erlbacher Gear (Home of The Erlbacher Knitting Machine) will leave the Convention Center around the bottom of the hour. Shop tours will only be conducted on Friday, when the shop is in operation. The demonstrations will be in the classroom and the tour shuttle will load / leave from the Convention Center doors. A list of the demonstrations will be posted on the Main Event floor to help you plan your time accordingly. For your convenience, announcements will be made via PA to notify attendees when the demonstrations are starting and the tours are loading. Lunch will be provided by The Southerner around noon. This lunch is included with your registration.

SATURDAY, May 6th, 2023: CRANK-IN  DAY THREE  8am – 10pm or so*

More cranking and more demonstrations! Lunch today (again furnished by The Southerner) is also included in your registration. Enjoy the day cranking, visiting, learning and shopping! (and since it was PeeWee’s favorite treat, expect an Ice Cream Social in the afternoon!) Due to the distances travelled to attend, some of the attendees start to pack up in preparation for or embarking on their trip home.

SUNDAY, May 7th, 2023: END OF CRANK IN / HOMECOMING   DAY FOUR  8am – 10am

The saddest day of the Crank-In. Everyone who hasn’t already packed up and headed home will do so today. Everyone says their goodbyes until next year!

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REGISTRATION FEE: Your $75.00 registration fee covers your admission to the event, lunches on Friday and Saturday, all classes and demonstrations. 

ADDITIONAL LODGING / CAMPING ACCOMODATIONS:
There are several motels and campgrounds located nearby. Here are a few of them:

Auburn Place, located at 3265 William St, in Cape Girardeau (573) 651-4486

 Holiday Inn Express, located at 3253 William Street in Cape Girardeau. (573) 334-4491.

For camping:

Cape Camping & RV Park, 1900 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, (573) 332-8888

The Landing, 3020 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, (573) 334-7878


There are also several nice VRBO's in the area.

PETS: Service animals are permitted in the venue, however animals that do not meet the ADA definition of "service animal" are not permitted. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. (See https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm  for further information) Most Drury Hotels are pet friendly. Please advise them if you plan on bringing pets so they can provide you with their policies and fees.

SHUTTLE SERVICE: We will provide a shuttle service to / from the Convention Center to Erlbacher Gear for the shop tours on Friday.

VENDORS: Vendor space will be available! There will be a flat vendor fee of $100. This fee includes your entry and participation. Tables and chairs will be provided to you.

ERLBACHER STORE: We plan on having our store opened again this year at the event. The store hours will be 8am – 4pm, Thursday through Saturday. We will try to have as many items (cylinders, ribber systems, tables, etc.) as we can; subject to production demands.

ERLBACHER SUPPORT TEAM: Technicians from Erlbacher Gear (these are the guys that build our machines) will be on site to tweak your knitter or provide any repairs / upgrades while you’re here.  This service will be provided from 8am – 4pm, Thursday through Saturday. We will have a small workshop set up on the Main Event floor. Our Technicians will not be able to work on antique machines or other brands of knitters, however, Pete Oswald will be on hand to provide guidance for repairs to these machines if the need arises.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL!

Register Now!