New to rally's/International rally

tinman54 · 06-11-2009, 08:53 AM

We purchased our first airstream last summer and are in the process of restoreing it, hoping to have it on the road summer 2010. I have been reading and searching the web and forums but have not found all the answers yet about the international rally.
We have been thinking of going to look at A.S's and get ideas about other trailers and possibly purchase parts for ours.
Do you have to be a member to go and walk around, if so what cost?

Is this a good spot to purchase parts(good deals),plumbing,gaskets,fans,etc... or am I just as well off ordering off the web?

Are the trailer areas open to walk thru or is there an open house time on certain days?
Thanks for any input
Doug and Jan

InsideOut · 06-11-2009, 10:39 AM

Congrats on your trailer! The International Rally has a couple of public Open Houses planned this year. On June 28th is the Vintage Open House is from 1-5pm. This is a great opportunity to check out all the vintage trailers at their best as this is when the Concourse judging is happening so all the trailers (&owners

) are on their best behavior. This year there is a second Open House on July 4th from 10am-3pm. This one is for all attendees of the rally to show off their trailers - new & old.

As far as checking out trailers outside of these times, it's kinda hit 'n miss. If folks are around, you may be able to sneak a peek but oftentimes they are out 'n about taking in programs or see the sites so the trailers are locked up.

If you do want to take in any of the rally programs, you will need to check-in at registration to obtain a day pass and get a visitor ribbon. Otherwise, you may not be able to enter the buildings.

Have fun with whatever you decide to do ~ I really think you will enjoy the VAC Open House - especially being in the midst of a restoration yourself.

For more information on the Rally's schedule - check out: 2009 International Rally Schedule

tinman54 · 06-11-2009, 03:01 PM

Thanks for the information, its to bad neather open house time will work for us,we are planning on being there June 30th-morning of July4th.
We are looking forward to seeing all that aluminum in one spot.

Hopefully we will run into a few people at there vintage trailers and be able to get a tour, everyone we have met so far has been great to talk to.

Nuvite-F · 06-11-2009, 11:20 PM

Hi, Doug & Jan,

Welcome to the world of vintage Airstreaming!

As a general rule, WBCCI rallies, including the International, are held in public places like college campuses, fairgrounds, parks, etc. so that the public is free to wander around the camping areas. There may be exceptions but I don't personally recall having seen any.

Now, having said that, I seem to remember some discussion about "enhanced security" at the Madison International including requiring WBCCI badges and rally ribbons to get in the gate. Normally ID is only required to get into the meeting buildings at the International. I hope they're not planning to fence off the whole rally.

The scheduled Open Houses will certainly be open to the general public, but you have said those aren't convenient times for you. As far as stuff to be had, your '54 trailer is getting to be pretty scarce so you may not find too much for it at the flea market.

One thing that you definitely need to know, though, is that you are in a hotbed of vintage Airstreaming activity! The Wisconsin Unit of the WBCCI has a large Vintage contingent. Last year the Region 5 & 7 Vintage Airstream Club rally was held in Osceola, WI, just up the road from you.

There's no real need for you to join the WBCCI, Wisconsin Unit, and VAC until you are ready to take your trailer on the road and come to some rallies, but please do come by some Wisconsin Unit activities and meet us--we can be very friendly! Bring some pictures of your Airstream and you'll be greeted like a long lost friend! The Wisconsin rally schedule has been partly preempted by the International being in Madison this year. We will have a kid-oriented rally in Pipe, WI (on Lake Winnebago) in August, a rally in ever-popular Door County in September, and a fall rally in Chippewa Falls in early October. You can keep track of Wisconsin Unit activities on our web site WBCCI Wisconsin Unit . The Badger Bulletin newsletter can be downloded from the web site and will give you a pretty good idea of what the unit is like.

Hope to see you up the road,

Nuvi

62overlander · 06-12-2009, 05:35 AM

Make sure to stop by and pay me a visit. I will be somewhere in the midst of the vintage section.

tinman54 · 06-15-2009, 01:11 PM

Thanks Nuvi and Frank, We are definately looking forward to meeting lots of nice people and getting lots of great ideas and pictures.

tinman54 · 07-01-2009, 09:00 AM

Well we just got to Madison and are looking forward to looking at some airstreams today, if they will let us in? we got here at about 6:30 last night and the security did let us go in to the coliseum and watch the introduction to the 2010 rally in Wyoming. Today we are hoping to see what the vendors have and check to see if we can catch anyone at there vintage trailers.