The Daily Standard
Story Archive
Airstream is the oldest manufacturer of recreational vehicles in the U.S. and is the most commonly recognized aluminum trailer in the world.
JACKSON CENTER - The 71st Airstream Club International Rally will be held at the Mercer County Fairgrounds June 24-29, 2028, an event expected to draw 2,500 people and scores of iconic "silver bullet" Airstream travel trailers, and create a $2 million windfall for the local economy.
"Ya'll will know we're there. You will know we are there. It's going to be a silver city," ACI executive director Lori Tilton enthused. "(Campers) will go out and they love to visit and support local, whether it's breweries or restaurants or niche little unique shops."
Perhaps just as important, improvements being made at the fairgrounds to accommodate the rally will enhance its overall camping capabilities and national profile, which in turn may attract other big-name events down the road, including a potential annual ACI rally on a smaller scale.
"There's a plethora of RV clubs, and we're all facing the same problem of where can we go and have a party," Tilton said. "I always say, 'Build it they will come,' and so once the word starts getting out there that you guys are doing the buildout, that we will be there, then others will do the same."
Mercer County Fairgrounds staff made the trek to ACI's headquarters in Jackson Center Thursday to ink a contract with the not-for-profit organization representing 19,000 Airstream aficionados.
Mercer County Fairgrounds staff made the trek to ACI's headquarters in Jackson Center Thursday afternoon to ink a rental contract with the not-for-profit organization representing 19,000 Airstream aficionados.
The club originated when Wally Byam, the inventor of the Airstream, first led a group of travel trailers from Texas to Nicaragua in 1951, followed by subsequent caravans that encouraged people to get out and use their travel trailers, according to ACI spokesperson Sherrye McCabe.
This will be the first time ACI has hosted its International Rally in Ohio since 1999. The selection of the Mercer County Fairgrounds is especially meaningful to the Airstream community due to the site's close proximity to Jackson Center, home to both ACI and Airstream's manufacturing base, also known as the Mothership.
"We're thrilled about the future of the International Rally and what it represents for our members and host communities," Tilton said. "Bringing the rally back to Ohio, so close to Jackson Center, has been a passion project for me since I joined the club 11 years ago. It feels especially fitting as we continue to celebrate Airstream's legacy as they approach the century mark and the amazing growth of our Club over the past few years."
Airstream is the oldest manufacturer of recreational vehicles in the U.S. and is the most commonly recognized aluminum trailer in the world.
Mercer County Fairgrounds executive director Cara Muhlenkamp was equally excited about the agreement signed on Thursday afternoon.
"We are proud to welcome Airstream and thousands of visitors to Mercer County," she said. "This event highlights the investments we are making in our fairgrounds while providing a meaningful boost to our local economy. Working with Airstream Club International and the International Rally Committee has been a dream come true, and we look forward to hosting this monumental event for our community."
Airstream Club International's 2025 International Rally was held Aug. 23-28 in York, Pennsylvania, drawing thousands of members. ACI announced the 71st International Rally will be held at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina.
ACI's International Rally was held in York, Pennsylvania, this year, and next year will take place in Minot, North Dakota, followed by Rock Springs, Wyoming, and then Celina.
"The biggest thing is the want. I knew Mercer County wanted us, Celina wanted us to come, which is a big deal because if they don't want us, then we don't make as much of an impact,"Tilton said."Because we'll be bringing in 2,500 extra people to your community for a week-plus."
The International Rally site had to be able to host at least 1,000 Airstream travel trailers, Tilton continued.
"We've visited Mercer County a couple times," Tilton said. "They've already started doing buildouts for RV hookups … to hit that 1,000-rig mark. Obviously I've been to Celina, and I just feel like the community is large enough to support our people … (plus) the lake and all the nice little restaurants and all those things."
"Right now we're at that roughly 500-mark of camping availability, so it's getting that other 500 spots in there, and we obviously want electric for them," Muhlenkamp said about meeting ACI's specifications. "Long-term, depending on how funding continues to come in, we would love to be able to have sewer and water and several other things out there because … this is a stepping stone for our facility."
ACI also needed a large enough venue to serve as a focal point for the International Rally's major events and programming. It was able to check that item off the list upon learning the Grand Event Center, a 175-foot-by-400-foot facility under construction on the northwest side of the fairgrounds, will be completed in time for the rally.
As Tilton puts it, the International Rally is a veritable summer camp for Airstream loyalists, with programming, seminars, entertainment, food/beverages, an expo showcasing products and services tailored to the Airstream lifestyle - and camaraderie.
"They gravitate toward … the history of the product, but also the man who started the product and his vision of travel as bringing people together, and this is how they come together," McCabe said. "It's the oldest rally in the club, and the biggest, and we've got members who will make that drive to every single one, no matter where we are across the country."
ACI originated when Wally Byam, the inventor of the Airstream, first led a group of travel trailers from Texas to Nicaragua in 1951 and followed by subsequent caravans that encouraged people to get out and use their travel trailers.
"It's the rags-to-riches, the all-American story," Tilton said of Airstream inventor Wally Byam. "He built it in his garage in the '30s, and he had to stop production because of World War II and then came back. They're still hand-crafted."
The public will have the opportunity to take in a vintage Airstream travel trailer parade and enjoy an open house during the rally.
All in all, ACI anticipates generating more than $2 million in economic impact for the community. It will also raise thousands of dollars during the rally for a yet-to-be-determined local cause.
"I hope also, again, because of the location being so close to us, that we can … build some sort of annual event … maybe half the size (of the International Rally)," Tilton said.
Additional details about the 2028 International Rally, including programming and registration information, will be released as planning continues. For more information about Airstream Club International, visit airstreamclub.org.
