Detroit Camper & RV Show Celebrates 50 Years

NOVI, MI--(Marketwired - February 01, 2016) - The Detroit Camper & RV Show, produced by the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC), celebrates a major milestone this year-50 years of helping generations of families make memories on the road by introducing them to the RVing and camping lifestyle. 

The 50th Annual Detroit Camper & RV Show will be February 10-14 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. 

Originally called the Detroit Camper and Travel Trailer Show, this third-longest running public RV and camper show in the country will feature more than 275 RVs from 50 brands, Michigan campground information, parts and accessories, educational seminars and special exhibits. 

One of those special exhibits is an original, steel-body 1937 Hayes Motor Home trailer, built in Grand Rapids, Mich., on loan from the Elkhart, Ind., RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum. Historian Al Hesselbart will accompany the trailer along with authentic, historical camping gear and will be available to answer questions throughout the 2016 Detroit Camper & RV Show. 

"For five decades, the Detroit Camper & RV Show has been showcasing the newest in recreational traveling trends and introducing some of the best Pure Michigan campgrounds to hundreds of thousands of people," said Bill Sheffer, director of MARVAC. "We're looking forward to another 50 years."

The first show, in February 1966, was held at the Detroit Artillery Armory in Oak Park, and, according to original Show Director William Garpow, the Michigan State Police nearly closed it down due to traffic congestion on 8 Mile Road to Woodward Avenue. The show was also held at Cobo Hall, the Pontiac Silverdome and was the inaugural show for the Novi Expo Center. It was also the first public show at Rock Financial Showplace, currently known as Suburban Collection Showplace. 

The 50th Annual Detroit Camper & RV Show will be held in Novi at Suburban Collection Showplace, February 10-14 and is open weekdays 2-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Adult admission (ages 13 and over) is $10; senior admission is $9 (ages 55 and over) and children 12 and under get in free. Parking is not included in show admission. Coupons worth $1 off available at marvac.org, Tubby's Sub Shops, Big Boy restaurants and in area newspapers. For more details or to purchase advance tickets, visit marvac.org.