January 23–24, 2026
Finally Making It Out
The River Ranch Rod Run had been on my list for a few years, but between schedule conflicts and not being set up for an overnight stay with my van at the time, I never made it out. This year, though, everything finally lined up, and I booked the event. I’m glad I did, because it turned out to be different than I expected in the best way.The Swap Meet Atmosphere
What stood out first was the mix of the swap meet. It had a little bit of everything, from people clearing out garage items to vendors selling car parts, memorabilia, and collectibles. It reminded me of the kind of flea markets I enjoy, so naturally I ended up bringing a few things home. Friday had a relaxed feel as vendors and visitors drove in from all over. It also felt like more than just a car event, with a lot of families treating it as a weekend getaway, which added to the laid-back atmosphere.Evening at the Ranch
Once I had my booth set up and closed for the day, I was able to enjoy more of the property. There’s a central area with a convenience store, ice cream shop, pizza stand, and a restaurant overlooking the water, which made for a nice evening break. Music played until dark, and then the night shifted into movie time with free popcorn and a showing of The Cannonball Run, which was a fun surprise and an old favorite to revisit. They also had a few giveaways, and I even came home a winner.Show Day
Saturday was when the actual car show filled out, with the resort roads lined with vehicles and visitors. The day started with coffee and donuts as more people arrived, and more day vendors came in, and the vendor area stayed busy enough that I didn’t get far exploring for long. Even after the show, many people remained through Sunday, which says a lot about how much they enjoyed being there. Many I could tell were regulars to the show. I had thought there might be another movie night, so I was a little disappointed when the event officially ended after the show on Saturday.Worth the Trip
I packed up and headed home Saturday evening. It was still a relaxing weekend, a productive event, and a mini getaway all in one. I’d definitely like to return next year, and maybe next time I’ll stay through Sunday as well. Watch my Upcoming Shows to see if I make it back. The drive home through the rural parts of Florida was a nice way to close out the weekend.A Walk Through the Ranch
I did a short walk down one of the main stretches that was lined up with cars and visitors on the way back to the vendor area.
