PLYMOUTH – A slice of Americana will be on display in Plymouth late next month as 80 Airstream recreational vehicles circle park for a birthday bash weekend in honor of the preeminent travel trailer inventor, Wally Byam.
The ever-popular home away from home is enjoying a bit of a resurgence in Hollywood movies and amongst celebrities, those who have downsized, and seniors with the freedom to travel. Its growing number of owners, who call themselves “Airstreamers,” are dedicated to the vintage, silver bullet design and gather each year for Byam’s July 4th birthday to celebrate it.
“Wally Byam’s dream of travel and adventure and spreading the American spirit continues today. This event is to honor Wally - who would be 114 - and all he did for the RV industry,” said Airstream enthusiast and party host, Rob Baker.
Baker, formerly of Stanton’s Farm Market in North Norwich, said his grandfather, Don Stanton, always had an Airstream on the farm. In the 1960s, his grandfather hosted rallies at the Canasawacta Country Club in North Norwich and in Sherburne.
When Stanton died in 1997, Rob bought his first Airstream. Since then, he has owned 20 of them and, in February, started The Airstreamer’s Club or TAC (not to be confused with Wally Byam’s Caravan Club, Inc.) Baker’s new organization boasts more than 250 members.
“This will be one of TAC’s first big events that will only grow in the future,” he said.
Baker and a group of four fellow Airstreamers decided to host the large event this summer in honor of Byam’s birthday and the RV’s 79th anniversary. They were: Rob and his wife, Zoe, Frank and Beth Yensan of Catonsville, MD, Steve and Kelly Klohn of Waukesha, WI and John and Lori Kwasnik of Earlville.
But because the first 79 spots were reserved within just 10 days of the registration opening, the friends decided to hold an auction for an 80th spot and donate the proceeds to Chenango County Catholic Charities Roots and Wings program. Following a two-month long auction, the winner bid $1,000 for the coveted spot.
Eighty Airstream owners from Maine to Montana and from Canada to Georgia plan to attend the Birthday Bash on Thursday, June 24 to Monday, June 28 on Baker’s Acres in Plymouth. According to the event’s website, there are 14 waiting on a stand by list.
Plans are underway to include an open house and grand fireworks show by American Fireworks on Saturday in honor of Byam. The public is invited to both, but a can a food for the weekend’s food drive for charity is requested.
The open house begins at 6:30 p.m. Airstreams hailing from the different decades will be open to tours, and there will be eight professional Airstream restoration businesses represented. Roughly 65 percent of all Airstreams ever made are still rolling down the highway.
“We’ve got Airstreams from the late 40s to some that are brand new attending. Any hot rodders or antique car buffs, stop on over Saturday evening,” said Baker. “If someone out there wants or has always wondered about the Airstream travel trailer - they should stop out. There will be lots of miles here, many lessons and knowledge of road travels.”
Chenango County has a lot of Airstream followers, possibly as a result of Norwich’s Northeast Classic Car Museum and the county’s Rolling Antiquers Old Car Club Show at the fairgrounds every summer. Kwasnik said all vintage auto enthusiasts would not doubt enjoy the open house.
“If they come to the event, I think they are really going to be turned on. These are beautiful old girls that really have a lot of character to them,” he said.
Built in his backyard back in 1931, Byam’s vintage design is the same iconic shape. But while it may look the same on the outside, the insides are updated with compact and efficient appliances, marble countertops, wood cabinetry, wireless Internet connectivity and other modern conveniences.
Airstreams are the only travel trailer manufactured in the 30s still in production today, operating out of Jackson Center, Ohio. Baker said he had invited Airstream President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Wheeler to attend the event. Wheeler happens to be a 1983 graduate of Morris High School.
Participants will enjoy family-style breakfasts every morning, happy hours, potluck dinners and camp fires each night. Some of the activities planned include a professional clown for the kids and Antsy McClain of the “Trailer Park Troubadours” who will drive up from Nashville in her 1966 Airstream.
For more information about the event, visit bakersacresofchenango.org.