HUME TOWNSHIP — A chance to take a walk down memory lane will attract more than 500 visitors who will view around 90 vintage trailers and motor homes this Saturday at Port Crescent State Park.
A group known as the Tin Can Tourists will be rolling into the park and will allow visitors to get a firsthand look at the evolution of camping and several generations of camping innovation. Group members will swing their doors open for tours from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Club members come from all over the country to display their vintage prizes, with many of the trailers meticulously renovated and owners eager to share their stories and photos.
“I think a lot of people like to see how things used to be,” said Port Crescent State Park Supervisor Betsy Kish. “It’s unbelievable the degree that they go, to make them look authentic.”
On the club’s web site, it states Tin Can Tourists is the oldest and largest vintage trailer club in the world. It was founded in 1919 and died out around the mid-1980s, before being renewed in 1998 by Forrest and Jeri Bone. It now has over 2,000 members dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation and promotion of vintage trailers and motor coaches.
This year will mark the ninth year at Port Crescent. Kish said the event started modestly, with just six campers, but has grown into one of the park’s most popular events.
“It’s really expanded,” she said. “All of the Tin Can Tourists like coming here, they like the fact that we’re right on the beach and they can look at beautiful sunsets.”
The group of vintage campers will be situated on the west end of the campground for this year’s event. There is no charge to check things out, but a recreation passport is required for vehicle entry into the park.
Tin Can Tourists is scheduled to make its way into the park beginning Thursday and will be around until Sunday. Kish said aside from welcoming the public for tours on Saturday, the group also scheduled many other activities throughout the stay — some for club members only — but also some for fellow Port Crescent campers.
“It’s a fun group of people,” Kish said. “I absolutely love having them around.”
For more information regarding the event, contact Kish at 989-738-8663 or kishe@michigan.gov. For more information on the Tin Can Tourists, visit www.tincantourists.com or check the club out on Facebook.