Limbaugh's ''Rushstock'' Draws Thousands

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The bake sale billed as "Rushstock '93" became a mass right-wing happening yesterday when thousands gathered to honor radio gadfly Rush Limbaugh and to buy a cookie for conservatism.

At least 20,000 people packed Old Town Square, standing shoulder-to-shoulder across the brick street and outlasting a brief hailstorm to cheer Limbaugh's arrival.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting," said Limbaugh. "But my barber was late.

The gathering grew out of Dan Kay's desire for a subscription to a newsletter put out by Limbaugh, who regularly bashes "feminazis," Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, "environmental wackos," homeless advocates and the liberal media in his nationwide syndicated talk show. "The Rush Limbaugh Show" has 18 million listeners nationwide.

Last March, Kay told Limbaugh during his program that he was receiving copies of the newsletter from a friend in Oregon. He said he could not afford the $29.95 subscription, so Limbaugh suggested Kay hold a bake sale.

It escalated into a carnival that featured more than 80 booths where vendors hawked T-shirts, buttons, mugs, bumper stickers and newsletters, all in a conservative vein.

Fans proudly wore "ditto-head" T-shirts. Ditto-head refers to a fan of Limbaugh's, ditto meaning they believe the things he does. Others wore buttons, saying "politically incorrect and proud of it," or "Impeach Hillary."

Traffic between Denver and Fort Collins slowed to bumper-to-bumper before noon along Interstate 25 where it backed up for at least seven miles at one point, a Colorado State Patrol dispatcher said.

Twenty-eight buses, chartered by a Denver radio station, carried fans. Others arrived in planes chartered from Alaska and California.

Mary Pat Lindl of Ocomomowoc, Wis., sold plastic cards that resembled credit cards called "Masterpoor Cards" for $5 each. They were accompanied by a receipt that could be sent to President Clinton.

Lines developed at Kay's booth where he sold cookies for $1 to $2 and fortune cookies for five for a dollar.

During his brief appearance before the crowd, Limbaugh presented Kay with a subscription to the newsletter.

Not everyone was a Rush fan. A bicycle tour operator offered an "Escape Rush Ride," but the offer was so late that there were no takers, a spokeswoman said.