By Brooke Geery
The RAVE (Rutland Area Vehicle Enthusiasts) car show welcomed over 300 vehicles from all over Vermont and beyond to the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland on July 10-11. Campers, buses, muscle cars and antique restorations lined the fairway, while a swap meet filled a grassy section of the lawn. Auto enthusiasts in attendance were especially exuberant after a year of pandemic solitude and excited to show off their hard work.
Bob Walsh, of Rutland, leaned against his full size truck with a table full of models he’d created over his lifetime, beginning as a child and intensified by years in the service.
“They are art to me,” he said, “but I just have too many at this point.”
The grandstand and fairway were stocked with food vendors, others selling local goods and crafts, car parts and more. There was also a free Covid vaccine clinic available to all participants and spectators.
Near the east entrance of the fairground, the Pockett family lounged in the shade of their 1975 Bluebird Wanderlodge 31FC camper, eager to share details and show off its working ice maker and built-in blender. The couple from Proctor purchased it last year already-restored in Poultney. They added a few necessary upgrades (such as a flatscreen and wifi) and have been heartily enjoying it ever since.
“I’m a little jealous of this thing, and it’s mine!” Tracee Pockett laughed.
The Bluebird was just one of several vehicles to earn special recognition at the show. For more information and a list of honorees, visit ravecarclub.com.
