You don’t have to own a vintage camper trailer to enjoy a vintage trailer rally.
I just returned from my first vintage trailer rally. Each year the Midwest Vintage Trailer Rally is held in August at Buffalo Lake Camping Resort in Montello, Wisconsin. I decided to haul my Beatrice to take part in this rally not only in hopes of selling my book, but also to meet more vintage enthusiasts and see their trailers.
Buffalo Lake Camping Resort is located in Montello, Wisconsin. The nice part, is you feel like you are out in the woods, but you are actually close to all the convenience of being in a small town. The campground is made up of about half seasonal campers and half open campsites. The campground has 2 bath houses with one have laundry facilities. Very convenient for longer stay campers! There is a nice sized office with store where you can order food. There is an outdoor pool. and a large common area outside. Wood is available for purchase either as a bundle or a wagon full. The owners are incredibly friendly.
The rally begins on Thursday and ends with a breakfast on Sunday morning before everyone packs up and heads home. Each year the activities differ, but one constant is on Saturday the rally is open to the public. This means that vintage trailer wannabees, other owners, and the curious can come and tour each camper, and purchase items that the trailer owners have for sale. It’s a great way to see the unique spin each vintage owner puts on their camper. Most are into restoring these old beauties.
I found that my renovated 1969 Camp Mor was very unique in that my interior was totally custom made, keeping with the original layout, but my interior totally reflects my style and individuality. While my Beatrice may not be everyone’s vintage cup of tea, I am glad that I got the chance to showcase her and offer my different perspective.
What I ended up with was lots of ooo’s and ah’s, that’s cute, and how adorable.
Facing insecurities when I arrived on Thursday
The rally was a challenge for me quite frankly as I didn’t know anyone. When I arrived though, I found that most everyone was helpful and very friendly. This was a big relief to me. I had trouble backing into my site and was quickly rescued by a vintage neighbor who came over to direct me. When I checked in at the office I had asked if I was going to have issues backing in and the owner reassured me that her husband would come out and help if I needed it. I was always told by fellow female campers that there are always plenty of people around ready to lend a hand if you are having trouble.
I also struggled with putting up my awning, I can usually do this myself, but I think I was just a little nervous about the whole weekend and couldn’t concentrate. Once again my neighbors didn’t waste any time coming to help me out. So what would have taken me probable a half hour to complete, took a matter of minutes.
That first night, there was a gathering for supper, but my insecurities got the best of me and I just stayed at my campsite. Walking into a room full of people and you know no one is overwhelming to me if all I have to do is try and mingle. Plus most everyone knew each other or had a significant other or came as a twosome, which really intimidated me.
Friday-Tie dye T-shirts, and touring the other campers
The next day I decided to walk around and get a peek of my fellow campers. I took some video and began meeting and talking to others. It helped me tremendously to calm my anxiety.
Megan came in the afternoon to come stay with me, which helped me so much. By this time though I had talked to campers around me as we began touring our neighbors campers throughout the day. I put myself out there and quickly clicked with a few campers around me. There were also a few newbies like me.
Everyday we got “trailer mail” with a list of activities and info for the day. First on Friday was tie die T-shirts, which I was looking forward to cause I had never made one before. This was fun! This was before Megan got there, so I had two T-shirts to do!
Friday night was the time when we would all go around in sections to tour all our campers. It began with our section. It was a treat to get to show off my Beatrice to everyone. It turned out this would be the time when I would sell the most books. My fellow campers loved my book and being that I was dubbed “the author” I was told I was a bit of a celebrity because of the book I had wrote. The BEST thing was later as we toured the other campers, I would see my book proudly displayed in the campers of others. Great advertising. Also I found out that you did not have to have kids or grandkids to enjoy my book. Several adults bought it just to read themselves!!
Most campers served appetizers and themed drinks at their sites and Megan and I had fun seeing all the trailers, how they were decorated and talking to the owners! The night ended with a drink at a Tiki Bar then off to bed.
Saturday-Open house, dinner, and activities
Saturday was open house day and now Rick came to spend the day with us. Megan was planning on going back to college after a catered supper. The public turnout was not as big as we had thought it was going to be. It was surprising given that it was a beautiful day. I did sell a couple books, but not what I was hoping. Oh well. The upside was, I did get to show Beatrice off and met some great people in the end. Most were in awe of my unique she shed/ camper design. I find Beatrice gets lots of attention wherever she goes!
Rick headed for home after he had scouted out and bought a fold up camp table he found off Craigslist not far from the campsite. Not long after Megan and I headed to supper with the group. In our “trailer mail” that morning we were told to bring an item for raffling off. My neighbor had an old wine cooler she gave me to donate and I also gave away a book. There were also prizes given for the best mailbox and best name tag contest, neither of which I had entered, and an egg toss. The whole night was fun!
Megan headed back and I carried my newly acquired raffle items back to my campsite and decided to skip the parties going on in favor of reading a book by my campfire. I had a whole wagon full of wood to burn! One of the things I love about camping is just chilling by the fire with a book and some snacks. I never did burn all that wood.
I also tore down my awning when I got back because I had heard it was going to rain in the morning and the last thing I wanted to do was deal with a wet awning.
My last night of the rally was coming to a close…
Sunday morning-Catered breakfast, packing up, saying goodbye to new friends
Sunday morning was a delicious catered breakfast. Eggs, sausage, and french toast. Yum! I can never get enough of breakfast in the great outdoors. My fellow campers, drank coffee and conversed as the Midwest Vintage Trailer Rally was coming to a close.
By 11:00 I was all packed up and ready to go. I ended up being the last in my section to leave after a rush of campers coming over to buy my book. That was fine by me as I wasn’t in a huge hurry to get home.
So that was the end of another first for me. Attending a Vintage Trailer Rally was fun. I ended up meeting some great people and had fun. I did sign up for next year, but will see how things go in the beginning of the year. I would like to check out other rallies.
Thanks for reading!!
Adventure awaits!
Lori
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Hello,
My name is Nancy Bruce I am a corporate member of the Cruisin Oldies festival in Marinette WI. We have a car, tractor, and bike show. We are looking to expand to Vintage campers. Was wondering if anyone knows of a group of people that would be willing to come to the festival and show off some of these awesome campers. If anyone is interested please email me at nancyllbruce@yahoo.com.
This is exactly what I needed now☺. Such a nice article. I will share it.
Sounds like a fun weekend – Thanks for including pictures of the other camper interiors. Interesting!
It was, once I got to meet some people. I wish I would have taken more pictures of interiors. It was fun to see what everyone did with theirs.