The first Cacklefest didn't even get a billing - not a word - on NHRAs website or in National Dragster. In fact, it was basically a word of mouth affair. Here is the actual press release for the schedule of that day:
SATURDAY, October 7 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials from 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibition runs throughout the day. Special Awards ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. Twilight Memorial at 5:00 p.m., followed by Track Cruise at 5:15 p.m.

No one, including (obviously) the PR person for the 2000 CHRR, had a clue what a profound impact the so-called "Cacklefest" (held after a very screwed up Track Cruise) would have on the 15,000+ fans in attendance or the California Hot Rod Reunions to come. The first Cacklefest were held in daylight which, everyone soon came to realize, was not the venue their status deserved.

In 2003 Cacklefest, the event within an event, was scheduled where it should be and will forever remain.... There are some things in life meant for the night... candlelight dinners and fine wine, cruising the strip, fireworks shows, vampires and paramount to us - nitromethane! With infinite wisdom, the powers to be scheduled the second session of Top Fuel and more importantly Cacklefest under the stars. At sundown the stands were packed and they were four deep at the fences. You could have shot a cannon in the pits and not hit a soul. This is what they came for and believe it - they got it.

 

Cacklefest 2000 by Jim Davis I'd told my son about the fuelers of old, About some memorable diggers, and drivers who were bold. He was told about the push starts that brought motors to life, And about the old drag strips, gone because of urban strife. Then some dedicated people, with help from their friends, Brought history to life, making sure it just won't end. In a very special place, simply known as the Patch, An event took place that will be really hard to match. On a day in October, of the millennium year, They pushed some old diggers, and a Cacklefest he did hear. As he stood in the stands, a part of the crowd, He saw lots of old geezers cheering, and oh so very proud. Next time I tell stories, he'll know that they're not all lies, For that day in October, he saw a few tears in my eyes.

The Vagabond AA/FD	Magicar AA/FD
Beebe & Mulligan AA/FD	Kuhl & Olson AA/FD
Safford-Gaide-Ratican A/FD	Howard Cams Rattler AA/FD
Greer-Black-Prudhomme AA/FD	Steinegger & Eshenbaugh AA/FD

Chrisman & Cannon Huster I