Overland Expo East 2024
In October, I had the pleasure of attending Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia. And it may have been my favorite thing of the year!
Overland Expo is a series of weekend “expo”-style events, where lots of vendors set up to display and sell their wares, along with lots of learning opportunities ranging from cooking and first aid to radio communications and vehicle recovery. There are food trucks, a happy hour bar, and live entertainment in the evenings. But most of all, it’s a gathering point for like-minded people to come together, see how others set up their trucks, and enjoy the comradery of camping together.
Each Overland Expo is different, focusing on the area’s typical style of overlanding. And while Overland East appears to be one of the smaller expos, it was a fantastic weekend with more to see than three days allowed! Set in a large field that looked like an old county fairgrounds, there were acres and acres of open-field camping space, with everyone being arranged loosely into rows. With two weeks of rain due to the Florida hurricanes immediately before the expo opened, the field was a muddy pit when we arrived on Thursday, so most of the rows were broken or a little wavy, as staff tried to keep people from setting up camp in a swamp. And while the organizers did try to resolve the issue with hay, dirt and saw dust filler, you did need to watch where you were walking most of the time.
Walking around the “camping field” was one of the best parts of the weekend for me. Nearly everyone was welcoming, willing to answer questions about how they set up their rigs or solved an issue they had. It was especially nice to see all the different vehicle setups and layouts. I made friends with a few different people and am looking forward to gathering with them again in the future. While most people were very open and welcoming, there were a few that weren’t. Thankfully, they were easily spotted. Every camper was allotted a set amount of space, about 20-foot by 30-foot, but many groups arranged their spaces together to create mini-compounds for all of their members, effectively shutting out the rest of the attendees and isolating themselves within their inner circle. Sad that some felt they needed to do this, but I supposed socializing isn’t for everyone (ironic, coming from me!).
The vendor area was large and a little hard to navigate as not all rows went all the way through, but once you got your bearings, it was a lot of fun to walk around and see all the innovative items this hobby has created. Most vendors were very welcoming and talkative, even if you were just browsing as I was. I was able to see first-hand many different teardrop trailers, and if I already owned a truck, one in particular would have come home with me. If things work out the way I hope, you will see more of that one in the future…
This was my first overlanding event, but I can promise it will not be my last. It was a bit overwhelming at first, and I wasn’t alone in this assessment - each night at the happy hour, I found myself talking to numerous people who were new as well, and all felt the same wide-eyed wonder. But I will go back, knowing what to expect now. I learned so much from the vendors, fellow attendees, and the numerous class sessions I sat in on. I cooked a few of my own meals, and bought a few meals from food trucks - because FOOD TRUCKS - and had the best time. I was one of the only ones there without a rig already set up for overlanding, and I got many curious looks as my Honda Accord pulled in, but I was comfortable in my ground tent (although both air mattresses decided to be ground clothes instead of air mattresses), and managed to snag a spot right next to the main dirt road so I didn’t get stuck in the mud further into the field. A pair of brothers, along with their respective wives, pulled in next to me. Once set up, they invited me to their gas campfire - no open burning allowed - and we shared a good evening telling stories and laughing together.
I’ve missed camping. I need to do more of it.
Until next time, remember to always Spin the Compass.
