The 52nd Annual Van Nationals officially started Wednesday July 9th. Here are a bunch of shots I took walking around the fairgrounds that morning.
Vans started getting set for the aerial photo.
Since it seemed like they needed vehicles and I knew I couldn't go on the cruise to the Surf Ballroom (just in case the photo took longer than expected), I got my van parked in just the right place for the aerial photo.
Truck-ins are typically open to vans and panels. In case you're not familiar, this is a panel:
I really need to get a slumber boot from Nate.
I think my shutter timing was a bit too early or late to get Kristy's smoke cloud.
Dually van's chalkboard paint for the win!
Jay and Rosco!
Nate!
Jim's van:
DIY wing:
First peek inside the freshly refurbished Ramblin' Fever:
While some vans were at their campsites and others were in the field for the aerial photo, others were getting in line for the opening ceremony.
Willie walking the grounds:
While you couldn't ride motorcycles or mini bikes around the fairgrounds, you could display them.
Aurora sang the National Anthem as part of the opening ceremonies.
Cheryl cut the ribbon and Miss USA was the first van through for the official start of the Nats.
Berserker:
Bad Company:
Ramblin' Fever:
Mystic Traveler:
I love that a van go kart was part of the ceremony.
Black Knight:
Dually van:
Death Trap:
Fearless Runt:
Separate Ways:
At this point, the aerial photo was well underway. This is the view from the grandstand.
Troy raised a Keep On Truckin' flag over the fairgrounds that flew all week long.
Some early R/C Van action:
Posing for drone photos:
Checking van placement for the aerial photo.
Bucky!
With the aerial photo done, the line began forming for the cruise to the Surf Ballroom.
Slacker!
I went back to pick up my van from the field.
One of Nate's other vans... this one has my van's old wheels (before I found the turbines).
Vanessa:
Really enjoyed checking out the ironhead chop. At this point it wasn't quite rideable but it was really close.
I remember Chris' van once won Best Van at Full Tilt.
Aurora and James had their van pinstriped by Michael Swann underneath the grandstand.
Justin's van was in line right behind for some additional pinstripe work.
I hadn't seen this van (Neverland Transit) since Frankensteiner's Ball a few years back.
It was my first time seeing Purple Passion, which was very cool.
Here's another pair of vans I hadn't seen since Heavy Thursday and Full Tilt.
Alf has seen better days. I guess he never made it back to Melmac. Hide your cats.
No Witnesses VC campsite:
Now THIS is the go-kart van body I need - it looks just like my big one and even had the single big door & window in the back.
I was so happy to see this van roll in. I had only seen it on Instagram. 4x4 van are great and 4x4 Dodge vans are especially cool.
Right-hand-drive Japanese van. I wish there were more at the event like this.
More work done to Aurora & James' van:
I think this was Willie in the Twinkie costume but could be wrong. Willie had a few costumes on throughout the week.
Michael Swann adding lines to Justin's van:
Another go-kart van:
DSV just randomly arranging their props in the corner. Nothing to see there.
Speaking of DSV, Giddy Up Go is back to Labor Day weekend next year. They moved it up to Memorial Day weekend this year due to the Nats.
This van was shipped over from Germany and was being driven around the US by its owners. It's powered by a Viper engine and it got a lot of attention.
Lots more photos from Wednesday to go, including some bands that played in the DSV building that night.
