The International WBCCI Rally

Since June 27, we have been celebrating the 52nd Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI) Rally attended by owners of over 900 Airstream motor homes, vans and trailers in Madison, WI. Wally Byam was the 1935 inventor of the famous, shiny, aluminum, bullet-shaped trailers and first CEO of the Airstream Company. However, we must credit the Bowlus Company of California, which fell on hard times and had to sell out to Byam. It was they that first used aircraft technology to construct aluminum travel trailers which closely resembled the Airstreams of the 1930s. Wally led Airstreams on caravans in the 1950s over rugged roads to Canada, Central America, China, and Africa; he literally invented travel trailer caravanning. His company was the only one of its kind to survive the Great Depression, and today we are still the largest single brand RV club in the world. Wally departed this Earth over 40 years ago, and yet he is a recognized legend in the RV industry. The Airstream Company, now owned by Thor Industries, is still manufacturing 25 “silver bullets” each week. Meanwhile, huge RV companies like Fleetwood, Teton, Travel Supreme, Monaco, and Alfa are in bankruptcy due to America’s recent financial crisis. Airstream is also shipping small trailers to several companies overseas, including Japan.

Our WBCCI club has many traditions; our international rallies begin and end with elaborate ceremonies complete with music and American, Canadian, and Region/Unit flags. Our international and region officers, wearing the traditional Wally Byam blue berets, are honored as they march forth to center stage each international rally; presidents change annually after devoting three years of planning to their respective rally. The dates are always the same—June 28-July 5, but each year we meet in a different state to celebrate Wally's birthday on the 4th of July. Our 20-20 Committee is busy anticipating our overall needs for 2010. WBCCI is truly a big deal for those of us who are Airstream owners and active in the club. Many of our members are Christians, and we donate our offerings from each rally to a local ministry wherever gather and worship.

We have had great fun preparing for and participating in this rally during the past four weeks. There has been adequate time for touring, playing indoor and outdoor games, attending numerous meetings and group luncheons, and going to seminars. There was a Vintage Airstream Parade and unit/region "dress-up" parade. We attended all four church services and a few of the morning devotions. Culvers ice cream was a big small group draw each evening, but we were able to resist the temptation most nights. We participated in the Party Bridge competition on three occasions, and Gloria played Duplicate Bridge two days. Neither of us finished in the top three. Gloria also sang in the choir, while Jerry worked on the photography committee and entered the photo contest. He won two red ribbons (second place) in two categories—Scenery and Airstreams. The two photos may be seen at the bottom of this post; one is from Alaska and the other from Padre Island, TX. We also worked in the CB station broadcasting announcements and answering requests for information like, “Where’s the nearest Wal-Mart” or “Where can I purchase a new CB antenna,” and “When will my sewage get pumped?” Each evening we enjoyed different groups who entertained us in the coliseum. One of the best nights featured our own WBCCI Band led by a member director who is in the Texas Music Hall of Fame.

One of the best things about this rally was getting to be with our old Airstream friends from the Northern Virginia WBCCI Unit. (We still belong after 14 years, even though we are now Texans.) There were lots of happy hours, shared meals, and tours together. We also shared good times and activities with our Texas friends. It has been a busy four weeks in Madison, and now we are heading east to Canada.