Adventure Van Expo Evergreen
A Fun-Filled Weekend in Colorado by Lynelle Phillips
Introduction to Adventure Van Expo Evergreen
The Adventure Van Expo Evergreen, CO, July 27-28, 2024, is the perfect excuse to have fun in your van!
This is a van expo that travels to various towns throughout the US, bringing vendors, van builds, DIY contests, vans for sale by owner, food trucks, a stage with plenty of entertainment, and so much more.
This is my second year with my Van Ella (my trusty van) at the Adventure Van Expo in Evergreen, CO, in lovely Buchanan Park.
Adventure Van Expo Evergreen: A Gathering of Van Enthusiasts
Vans from all over the country meet up at the Adventure Van Expo events, and the Evergreen event does not disappoint.
With over 100 vans in the baseball field, grassy areas, and up on the hill amongst the trees of Buchanan Park, this is a big gathering.
I meet a lot of the van owners and vendors, and tons of dogs to shake paws with, give hugs to, and rub ears and heads.
I think I meet more dogs than people—there are so many!
Yes, this is a very pet-friendly event, but be aware that there are wild animals in the area (bears in Evergreen), so keep all pets on a leash.
Everyone seems to be responsible pet owners.
Adventure Van Expo Evergreen: Setting Up and the Expo Layout
Friday night is setup night. Vendors and vans are allowed in at 4 pm on Friday (I get there at 6:30 pm after being in traffic for 2.5 hours just to get out of Denver), and everyone needs to leave by 5 pm Sunday (I leave at 3:45 as the last DIY van to leave).
The Evergreen expo is divided into sections separated by a fence between the vendor area and the general van camping area. This allows the general public to come in during open hours.
They have a separate parking lot for cars and SUVs, so you don’t need a van to join in the fun!
The general van campsite is up on the hill amongst beautiful trees.
The vendor area on the inside of the fence is on a large grassy area (maybe 75+ vendors there?).
The Van Traders, or those selling vans by owner, are along the fence, and the DIY’ers (me amongst them) are parked on the baseball field. Yeah, I need levelers for my van because I’m parked on the pitcher’s mound, LOL.
Then there’s the main stage with awesome local bands, and a couple of food trucks that smell wonderful tucked in a corner of the vendor field.
Adventure Van Expo Evergreen: A Rainy Yet Exciting Saturday
Saturday it rains most of the day, but we get through the DIY contest and open house, one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.
I don’t win anything, but everyone loves the Star Wars-themed van I have.
I learn from last year that most everyone has stickers and giveaways for their van, so this year I bring along a big stack of stickers and some small chair phone stands with tiny stickers on them.
The kids really love the chairs. And yes, I order a bunch more chair phone stands Sunday morning for next year.
So, if you want to go camp in your van at one of these expos, bring stickers and giveaways.
Temu, Oriental Trading Co, dollar stores, and Amazon are good sources.
I get my stickers at Sticky Brand, but there are many other sticker companies out there.
Adventure Van Expo Evergreen: Saturday Night Festivities
Saturday night is party time! After the general admission crowd leaves, the food and adult beverages come out!
The DIY’ers have a wonderful bourbon-tasting party with fantastic old fashions.
The rain lets up long enough to get some dinner either from our van fridges, the food trucks, or from being invited to the vendor taco salad line (like I am, it’s nice to know some of the vendors, LOL).
We all turn in about 11 pm when the rain starts up again.
The evening is delightful—nothing like socializing with friends I met last year and new friends I meet this year.
And that’s what the Adventure Van Expo is really all about! Meeting up with old friends and making new ones is what I live for!
Adventure Van Expo Evergreen: Sunday Wrap-Up
Sunday is sleep-in day—might have been the old fashions the night before.
Some good breakfasts are on outdoor grills and stoves, but I opt for blackberries with cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, and oat milk since I have to get the van ready for open house again.
A very nice sunny day brings out more of the public to enjoy the sunshine amongst the vans.
A few drones go in the air in the morning before the wind kicks up a bit by the afternoon.
I spend my last two hours going through the vendors, trading stickers, saying goodbye to everyone, and making plans to come back again next year.
A Short-Lived but Memorable Event
The Adventure Van Expo feels a bit short-lived, but what a wonderful two and a half days amongst vanlifers and wonderful vendors.
I do end up buying a bunch of tie-downs from Rollercam and install a couple of them just before I leave—much better than the ratchet tie-downs from Walmart.
Last year I bought a Moon Shade, now called Moon Fab, best awning ever attached by heavy magnets.
I see so many things I want to get for Van Ella, so many great vendors, but the many adventures I want to go on and the gas money needed is on my mind.
I think I want to go to the Adventure Van Expo in some of the other towns, like Hood River, OR, and Lake Tahoe, CA (and some of the others).
It’s well-run, lots of fun, open to the general public to get everyone interested in vanlife, and has plenty of cool things to do.
Hiking anyone?
Looking for More Van Life Events?
If you enjoyed reading about the Adventure Van Expo Evergreen and are looking for more van life events and gatherings, be sure to check out our 2024 Nomadic Gatherings, Meet-Ups, and Events page. It’s packed with information on upcoming events where you can connect with fellow nomads, share experiences, and create lasting memories. Don’t miss out on the chance to join in the fun!
