HERSHEY, Pa. -- The Museum of Bus Transportations 2007 Spring Fling has been deemed an outstanding success.

More than 300 people from across North America came to Hershey early this month to see the more than 30 antique and unusual school, transit and intercity buses on display, and to shop for bus memorabilia from 18 vendors on hand for the event.

Attendance at the Fling more than doubled that of last year.

The 07 event was marked by three special circumstances: the first public viewing of the museums new Memorial Annex; the dedication of the building to industry notables, and the opening of discussions about converting the Fling into a full-blown industry event.

Visitors parked their cars at the museum and were shuttled the mile and a quarter to the Memorial Annex -- courtesy of Wolfs Bus Lines of York Springs, Pa.

The new facility is a pole barn-type building with a cement floor thats large enough to house 14 of the museums buses while theyre not on display in the museum. The building also includes an office for the museum.

The 3.5-acre lot adjoining the building can accommodate additional buses in outdoor parking. For the Fling, all the buses were parked outside and the building was used by the museum staff to serve lunch to the visitors and as floor space for the vendors.

During an afternoon ceremony, the Memorial Annex was dedicated to honored founders and benefactors of the Museum: Richard Mcguire, Herman Dotter, Richard Fullington, George Sage, Carl Bieber, James JeBran and Peter Picknelly.

According to museum board member Bob Beard, five of the seven families were represented at the ceremony.

Representatives from ABC Companies, Motor Coach Industries, Prevost Car, Lancer Insurance and the Michaud bus sales organization visited the site to contemplate their involvement with Flings in coming years.

According to Beard, the museum board is considering expanding the event in a number of directions. Several ideas are under consideration, including increasing the Fling to a two-day event; adding such activities as a formal dinner and bus tours, and providing industry suppliers a display area.

Particular attention also is being given to the idea of expanding the aspects of the event that interest collectors.

Other memorabilia vendors indicted they would participate in the event next year, and Beard said the Fling has become the "only game in town" for anyone seeking to buy or sell bus models, toys, photos, magazines, fare boxes, badges, depot signs, destination signs and other collectibles.

Because Hershey is an established tourist attraction with plenty for visitors to see and do, and because the Spring Fling is organized and run by volunteers, Beard feels that with greater involvement and sponsorship from the bus industry an expanded event may be feasible in years to come.

For pictures of the event, go to www.busmuseum.org. Questions or comments can be directed by e-mail to: thebusmuseum@yahoo.com.