Twin City Vans hosted our 49th Annual Good Times Truck-In in Albert Lea, MN in June 2026. It was my 5th time attending and 4th as a member of TCV. This is a closeup photo of the souvenir T-shirt I bought (artwork by Aurora).
I drove my 1978 Dodge, as usual. After my first truck-in, I learned to bring a tent - not to sleep in, but to use as a shed/garage so I can show my van and sleep in it less-cluttered.
Randy's new dually van. Flares on flares!
No one loves Malort more than Dakota Street Vans.
New bar game to play
I brought my Harley-DavidSchwinn to ride around the farigrounds. I brought my Onewheel Pint too, but no pics of that. No motorcycles or mini bikes are allowed at the truck-in so, until I build a go-kart van one day, I have to find use other modes of fun transportation.
Chubs played Friday night
Here's the full 2026 schedule (aka "bible"). If you've never been to a local truck-in, this gives you a sense of what you might expect to find. You don't have to belong to a van club, you just need a van (or panel) to get in. It doesn't have to be a custom or vintage van - pretty much any van will do. Borrow a van or go rent a U-Haul van if you want to try it out. No van, no entry, simple as that. For a couple of nights camping, all the activities, and the fact you can bring your own food and drinks in, it's a really good value and nice way to spend a weekend. Do as much or as little as you like - it's really laid back.
When Saturday rolled around and breakfast was done, everyone started lining up for Show & Shine. As hosts, TCV members could show alongside everyone else but weren't eligible for any awards. I always like to show my van so mine was in the lineup. I'm not alone... Nate, Aurora, Justin, Bucky, Tommy, and Mark also showed their vans.
Not drone footage... I still don't have one of those. This is the view from the top of the grandstand:
Back down to earth.
Bubble windows!
Nate's "big blue"
Aurora had her own artwork wrapped on the side
The pair of Aerostars that showed up were pretty cool.
My van:
Tom shared the entertaining story behind this painting which was gifted to him. Ask him about it.
I showed my van with my bicycle tucked in the back (sissy bar removed, of course). Someone said I should have the sissy bar stick up through the vent. That would be awesome. :)
Wood Butcher:
Neverland Transit:
Moon Units has the funniest logo
There was some pretty cool leather tooling featuring dinosaurs in this van. I should have gotten some detail shots but didn't. Oh well... had to be there.
Even more from show and shine is up next!
