Words by Perry Mack
Lock the doors, say adios to the neighbours, fill the tank, and turn on the ignition heading out to parts unknown for a summer filled with great events crisscrossing the continent.
Here’s a sampling of our favourite overland rally’s and events that will educate and entertain, awe and inspire you to never spend a weekend at home.
Overland Expo West
May 17-19, 2019 - Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ
Overland Expo West bills itself as the premier overlanding event in the world. The event offers a myriad of classes taught by the world's leading experts, and has a trade show that includes an incredible assortment of camping, and vehicle equipment and accessories for both 4-wheel and motorcycles.
It’s an event where adventure travel enthusiasts can virtually overdose on knowledge. You can experience hundreds of session-hours of classes for 4-wheel-drive and adventure motorcycling, inspirational programs, the Overland Film Festival, roundtable discussions, demonstrations, food, and a large expo featuring over 300 vendors of adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles, and services.
The sister event, Overland Expo East takes place in October.
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Alain Gagnon
Overland Expo West
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Alain Gagnon
Overland Expo West
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Alain Gagnon
Overland Expo West
North Bound Expeditions
bexpeditions.com/east-coast-overland
North Bound Expeditions organizes three excellent off-road adventures in eastern Canada.
South Shore Overland Rally
May 24, 2019 - Saint Andrews, NB
This three day season opener takes place on New Brunswick's rugged south shore, along the Bay of Fundy. Attendees get to experience beach camping, trails and epic coastal scenery while exploring this stunning region as part of a group based event.
Virgil Dessouroux
South Shore Overland Rally
NB Expedition Challenge
July 20, 2019 - Plaster Rock
The NB Expedition Challenge is an event that takes competitors through a vast portion of New Brunswick. This overland challenge will put drivers and vehicles to the test and reward the winning team with a $1000 CASH prize! (10 team registrations minimum in order for the cash prize to happen).
Adventure New Brunswick
Aug 16, 2019 - Location is TBD
This is a weeklong adventure tour through the province in small groups of a minimum of five and maximum of ten 10 vehicles. Vehicle requirements apply as outlined in the Events Tab on the website. The trip is similar to the one seen on Season 5 of Mountain State Overland #Adventure Canada.
Virgil Dessouroux
Adventure New Brunswick
NW Overland Rally
June 20-23, 2019 - Plain, WA
Phone +1 604-795-7313
With an all-encompassing invitation to all vehicles - big or small - trucks, vans, SUVs, or station wagons, whatever you use to see the world, you will be welcome at the NW Overland Rally. Their casual info says ‘Park it and hang out, or go on a trail ride.’ Camp with new friends, share stories, and learning new skills in a fun and entertaining environment.
The NW Overland Rally includes vendors from around the world, with the latest in outdoor products, and prize giveaways every night. Expect to see everything from winches to tires to roof-top tents.
BC Overland Rally
June 27-30, 2019 - Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler, BC
If you like your overland adventure with a healthy dose of spectacular scenery in SuperNatural BC, check out the BC Overland Rally. They bring together some of the overland world's top travellers, instructors, vendors, and a huge variety of individuals, couples, families and friends, who want to learn new skills, make contacts, meet friends, be inspired, win prizes, and have a great few days camping and chatting in the beautiful mountains close to Vancouver.
They say their goals are simple: Have fun, make friends, learn stuff!
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Mercedes Lilienthal
BC Overland Rally
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Mercedes Lilienthal
BC Overland Rally
Coalmont 4x4 Invasion
July 11-15, 2019 - Coalmont BC
Come to their 2nd annual Coalmont 4x4 invasion in Coalmont B.C. Enjoy trail runs, teaching seminars, and learning events along with live entertainment and a meet and greet. There will hot breakfasts, dinners, competitions, giveaways, raffles and vendors showing off the latest trail and overland gear.
As an added attraction there will be a two-day scenic tour of the area (including a mine tour). Tickets will be sold separately for this tour on this web site or cash at the event.
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Perry Mack
Coalmont Invasion
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Perry Mack
Coalmont Invasion
Big Sky Overland Rally
July 26-28, 2019 - Sacajawea Park, Livingston MT
If you’ve never been to Montana, here’s a wonderful excuse to experience the Big Sky state. This annual event features a trade show area with vendors, manufacturers, outfitters and non-profit organizations. Seminars include vehicle-based topics such as off-road driving, repair, recovery as well as more expansive topics like international travel and fly-fishing. Several women-specific classes will be available in a variety of these topics.
Naturally there will be guided trail runs, social events and prize drawings.
At its core, it’s a reason for fellow travelers, outdoor recreationists, campers and vehicle enthusiasts to get together and celebrate the overlanding community. Take your outdoor adventures to the next level at the Big Sky Overland Rally.
Rocky Mountain Overland Rally
August 1-4, 2019 - Gunnison, CO
rockymountainoverlandrally.com
Make sure you get there for day one so you don’t miss the welcome cocktails and meet your new friends and neighbours. Knowledgeable trainers run through the full gamut of overland essentials including trail repairs, trail spotting, personal security, radios and navigation.
Satisfying an eclectic mix of interests there will be yoga, hands-on sessions for photography/cinematography, and wine tasting.
Sit in on presentations by renowned adventure travelers who will regale you with tales of their world travels. Join the 4WD trail rides and learn from certified instructors from intro to advanced instruction. There are nightly campfires, raffles and prizes to be given away.
Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival
August 8-11, 2019 - Henwood Farm, Huntingdon, PA
The Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival (MAOF) is timed every year to take advantage of the Perseid Meteor Shower during the 2nd week of August. They take every advantage of the long summer days and starry night skies.
It’s an annual celebration of overland travel, and a gathering of adventurers to hit the trails, gain knowledge about the practice of overlanding, and share expedition stories around the campfire. There is food, happy hour, and seminars on everything from taking photos/video to recovery techniques. The Adventure Film Fest is for both amateur and professional adventure travelers to share their journeys with attendees. Check out the submission guidelines on the web site.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FSik0xId74
Highlights: 2018 Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival
Do you have an Overland Adventure or Rally that we’ve missed? Send us some details and photos - editor@suncruisermedia.com