Vintage trailer camping event sees 11th year

LAKE HAVASU CITY – This year’s 11th Annual Vintage Trailer Rally Campout will welcome trailer enthusiasts to experience a weekend of fun, camping and nostalgia.  
Founders of the event husband and wife team Cherri and Mike Aiken, got their inspiration to bring the yearly event to Lake Havasu City in 2014.  
Originally from Washington state, the couple frequently attended similar community events featuring trailers and decided to kick off their own in Havasu. The Aikens were snowbirds at first with their trailer and decided to make the permanent move to Havasu in 2011. 
The couple approached Lake Havasu State Park on the idea and the campsite was happy to support their project. In 2018 is when avid vintage trailer attendee Mike Sim, extended the organizers a helping hand at co-hosting the occasion. Sim currently owns eight vintage trailers and continues to help with coordinating the state park’s annual trailer camping happenings. 
The beauty of the various styles that can be seen there, is that you never know what treasure trailers you will see. Sim will never forget the year that he  spotted a 1933 covered wagon camp trailer.  
According to the co-host, if you’ve always been curious about giving trailers of the past a makeover, it’s a hobby that is not only creative but also affordable. 
“Anyone interested in rebuilding vintage trailer can, and it’s not very expensive either,” Sim said.
If you’re someone looking for the ultimate camping experience with your own RV, this will be a weekend event you may not want to miss. With the scenic beach setting as the event’s backdrop, the camping weekend will have vintage trailers, campers, and buses, all manufactured before 1979. Airstreams and Teardrops will also be welcomed regardless of age along with classic cars as long as old school trailers are attached. Sites are first come first serve as reservations are not allowed. Convenient amenities will be available to campers such as power for medical devices, cell phone plugs, along with restrooms and showers. Check in begins on Thursday, January 30 at noon for $25 per night at Lake Havasu State Park. More information about daily check-ins can be found out by calling Mike Sim at 509-945-4698 or Cheri Aiken at 360-708-7495.
However the first official day for the three-day fun filled camping event will begin on Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2. 
Friday, a meet and greet has been scheduled in the covered area. All campers are encouraged to bring appetizers that everyone can share at the park. The following day there will be an open house for the public from 10am to 2pm with a $3 entry fee and an evening potluck will take place at 5 p.m.  Campers are also allowed to bring propane fire pits. Hikers will enjoy a walk to Cactus park for picturesque views just walking distance from the campsite. Sunday there will be the nearby swap meet located on London Bridge Road.  
For co-founder of the yearly vintage trailer campout events Cherri Aiken, seeing these historic trailers of the past is truly amazing but another surprise for her over the years is all the returning and new attendees.  
“What I really enjoy the most all the people I get to meet each year who all share a love for camping and vintage trailers,” Aiken said.
Phaedra Veronique