Van-In, Run, Camp, Show
This is the third year for BYOB. Bring Your Own Boogie Van-In. Hosted by California Street Vans the weekend is the ultimate Southern California Truck-In. This year the vans were a bit more spread out and there were plenty of independents hanging out with several clubs. This psychedelic event is a highlight in the van culture. Rad Vans, Killer Bands, Camping, Van Flicks, Van Show, Trophies, Vendors and MORE!
I got there a bit early on Saturday morning. You see, the event is at Canyon RV Park in Anaheim Hills on the far left end of the park. Today the park is also hosting the Patriots and Paws Hometown Heroes Car and Motorcycle Show. We will have that feature up soon. Anyway, I rolled Riff-Raff into the show and ran around taking some pics as the cars rolled in. About an hour later I hitched a ride with Ron Cambra of Cambra Speed Shop on his custom golf cart over to the Van-In about a mile or so on the west end of the park.
An Instant Chill
Once I stepped off the golfcart all of a sudden there was this instant sigh and chill. There was so much going on at the car show, but here on this side of the park it was quiet and everyone was completely relaxed. I don’t know how else to describe it but FREE.
It was still a bit early as the vanners were starting to wake up and have some breakfast. Wafts of good smellin’ bacon, eggs, and wood fires are filling the cool morning air sitting between the oak trees and chaparral. I strolled through the campground till I got to the wagon circle park and stage. The vans were starting to make their trek over to the circular drive with a nice grassy center spotted with more trees. The perfect place for the van show. Each van parks around the circle in a clock-wise fashion so their passenger side doors are open to the park. Every one makes their way over to and starts checkin’ out each others rides. Bands such as Sabbra, Flying Brain, Brass Knuckle Voodoo, and The California Street Van’s Band.
They played van movies and van episodes of CHiPs on a sheet at night under a campfire. How freakin’ cool is that? There were all kinds of bars set up if you know what I mean. Everyone had a freakin’ cool time for sure. There were clubs from Arizona and all over California there. Wheels of Confusion, Vandits, Van Freaks, Vamily, Vanereals and of course California Street Vans. Plenty of independents too, like my friend Alan who brought out his primer grey Ford in a Chevy van. He hung out all weekend with his chick, in-fact they were the last to leave on Sunday when the woke from a nap and found the park emptied.
I rolled back over to the car show on the other side of the park to get lunch and catch up on the pinup contest and the awards program at 2:30. The show ended so I rolled the car over to the van show to get some more picks. The California Street Vans Band just finished a set and drummer Ron Cambra drags me on-stage to announce the trophies. I looked out over the lawn and see a ring of glorious vanners hanging out to hear who won the bitchen trophies. I immediately thought of Woodstock and took the mic with gusto and started the trophies with a bit of a fun story thrown in between as we called the winners on stage to talk about their cool van. I wish I had someone record it, because I certainly didn’t want to do the monotone: now for raddest dodge the trophy goes to…” It had to be fun and full of energy, and everyone told personal stories about their van.
The trophies were 2 quart sized glass mugs with the BYOB Truck-In No. 3 flyer graphic printed on one side and Dave Z lettering/pinstriping on the other for “Raddest Dodge”, Raddest Chevy, Raddest Ford, Raddest Early, Bitchen Interior, TBATW (Too Bad About Those Windows) award, Best Paint, Longest distance went to the Band Saabra who came in from Utah in their vans, and Van Freaks won the best club participation trophy. Jerry Whitworth shot pics of all the winners in front of the stage and at their freakin’ vans. Check it out on Facebook.
This show is such a great time. It really is a great way to re-live those care free days of the ’70’s and just chillin. I’ve been to all three, haven’t camped but each time everyone is super cool to share what they have and talk a bit about their vans and the lifestyle. For example the kat that won Bitchen Interior has this obviously original ’70’s late style Chevy van with what looks like the original red shag carpet and fur. He was a young guy that is simply a caretaker of the genre. I learn later he actually built that interior himself with wine barrel seats and NOS carpet and fur. He is concerned to keep the tradition alive and his van sure shows it.
Jim Thompson of California Street Vans is the same way as he is the caretaker of an ex-member Randy York’s yellow Chevy van. Jim may have won an award for the most toys. He brought two vans, one with a mini-bike in it, a jeep and trailer with a go-kart and a dirt bike. And he was enjoying them the whole time. Hero. When asked what their favorite part of the event, Jim declares his balls-out small engine hoonage. Steve Yarber enjoyed the camaraderie towards the goal of having a good time and sharing the vanning culture.
Anyway, as you can tell it was a bitchen time and if you have a van, go. If you don’t have a van, then why not? Check out the other events such as the Slow Ride and the Randy York Memorial Ride throughout the year at California Street Vans.
Stage and article sponsored by: Cambra Speed Shop