As many as 145 old-timey trailers from all over the country converged on Pioneer Park for the annual Rally on the River Vintage Trailer Rally, held July 16-20.
Organized by Wade and Lisa Long, of Springfield, the event invites enthusiasts to harken themselves back to the early days of luxury camping.
The Longs held their first rally in 2016 to help Brownsville celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city’s Stand By Me Day. It was such a hit, Long said, that two years later the city asked him to host a rally every year.
This year they wanted the event to be a family rally.
“Most of them are adult-oriented. We show our trailers, we visit and maybe have a few drinks,” Wade said. “I wanted a place where we could bring our grandkids, so I set it up as a family rally.”
It was extra work for him to focus on the kids this year, he said, but he seemed to pull it off successfully. Specifically for the kids, the rally included bowling, a bike and pet parade, art events, pie eating contest and karaoke. Other events throughout the weekend included art and jewelry workshops, card games, a 1950s sock hop and hula hoop contest, potluck and s’mores, and a pancake breakfast and hot dogs and watermelon in the evening.
During Saturday’s open house event – which invites the public to tour the trailers – the trailer owners are asked to dress up in fashion representing the year of their trailer.
Mary Mode, of Fort Atkinson, Wisc., represented her 1971 Holiday Rambler wearing a bright, mod floral pair of bell bottom stretchy pants. Her and her husband, Steve Mode, often join vintage trailer rallies in the midwest, but traveled 2,700 miles to the west coast this year to visit family and take part in Rally on the River.
Steve raved about Brownsville’s rally, Wade Long’s organizational skills, the fun opportunities they found, and the new friends they made.
At these trailer rallies, he said, “You meet your camper family. Everybody has a shared interest.”
