It's billed as the largest and longest running show of its kind. Hitting its 39th year, the Ohio RV and Boat Show brings the best in outdoor recreation each year to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
Since its humble beginnings in 1981, the show has grown into an exciting multi-line event, not only showcasing recreational vehicles and watercraft, but now motorcycles, ATVs, golf cars, and even electric bicycles in the lineup. There are also scores of vendors representing camping gear, destinations, campgrounds, and services for outdoor enthusiasts.
The week-long show spans the first two weekends of January each year. It’s when Midwesterners start feeling cabin fever and pine for the return of warm weather. For lovers of the great outdoors, it’s a perfect mid-winter escape.
Sixteen Ohio RV dealers brought units from nearly every American manufacturer. Towables, motorhomes, and even truck and jeep conversions were on display. Among the more than two dozen brands represented were Airstream, Coachman, Jayco, Winnebago, and the various divisions under the Forest River and Thor umbrellas.
To house all those rigs, the show now occupies three of the largest buildings at the state fairgrounds in Columbus. In the main Bricker building, seven Ohio RV dealers had huge booths, with much of the remaining space housing marine vendors. Across the parking lot and connected by a covered walkway, the Celeste Center was filled fully by two additional RV dealers. A short stroll away, the Voinovich Building housed five more. A convenient heated shuttle provides transportation among the venues.
The Airstream Basecamp travel trailer at the Ohio RV & Boat Show [Photo by William Flood]
Because of its size, the Ohio Boat and RV Show provides a great opportunity to check out manufacturers and their offerings side by side. You can browse hundreds of models and actually walk through the different sizes and types of recreational vehicles to see what fits your lifestyle. Everything from small teardrops to the largest and most outfitted motorhomes and fifth-wheels is represented. And, you can tour them all in a fun, climate-controlled indoor setting!
Also exhibiting are owners of smaller local campgrounds and representatives from larger RV parks, and organizations such as Travel Resorts of America -home to eight scenic resorts along the east coast; the Ohio Campground Owners Association; Outdoor Adventures of Michigan; and KOA. So, even if you already own an RV and are not in the market, you can learn about great camping options, destinations, and services such as insurance and other financial products, emergency repair options, and even RV site ownership.
Then, there are the marine vendors which make up a prominent chunk of the show. This year, eight dealers of watercraft had fishing boats, pontoon party boats, and personal watercraft on display. Associated services, like local marinas, are also present; so, if boating is your thing, you can browse new models and discuss docking options and storage for a new or existing boat.
Enhancing the shows diversity is a growing number of dealers showing motorcycles, ATVs, golf cars, and even motorized bicycles. Those, along with vendors selling camping and outdoor gear, add to the show’s appeal.
If you are ready to buy, dealers come prepared with some of their best offers. Whether RV, boat, or outdoor toy, dealerships bring a lot of existing inventory and don’t want to have to take it back home when the show ends. That equates to good deals to be had on current-year models, and even better ones on closeouts and previous year’s remaining stock. Mix in some unbelievable pricing on “show specials,” and it would be downright difficult to find better deals elsewhere. Even if you are not ready to buy, representatives recognize the show is a prime opportunity to establish relationships with potential customers for future transactions. So, get to know the salespeople if you’ll be shopping down the road.
While enjoying the acres of displays, delight in knowing that a portion of your entry fee goes to support local charities. The show is a proud contributor of more than $200,000 to charitable organizations, including the Ohio Wildlife Center, which works to save endangered species and injured wildlife and provides education programs regarding wildlife conservation. At this year’s event, Eagle Golf Cars donated a golf car for a charity raffle. And, for a small donation, attendees had the opportunity to get their picture taken with a 6-foot statue of Sasquatch.
Tickets go for $14 for general admission (as of the last show), $3 for youth (6-13) and children 5 and under were free. Parking at the Ohio Expo Center is $5 per car. Food is available on-site and there is lodging nearby. Next year’s show is scheduled for January 10th to 19th.