The annual Erie RV and Outdoor Adventure Expo is underway at the Bayfront Convention Center, running from February 14 to 16, with an additional special sales day on February 19 for campers and power sports enthusiasts.
The event serves as a launch point for the 2024 outdoor recreation season, bringing together regional dealers, industry experts, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The expo features participation from three major Erie-based RV dealerships: Ray Wakley’s RV Center, Boyer RV Center, and Fame RV Center. Dealers are optimistic about the season, with show specials attracting prospective buyers.
Bonnie Bell, general manager of Ray Wakley’s RV Center, highlighted a key model on display, the 2025 Forest River Salem 32 Veranda.
“It has a rear jack with a slide-out mechanism, but there’s an extendable deck that slides out. So you have a covered deck and a non-covered deck that’s out the back,” Bell said in a report by Go Erie.
In addition to RVs, the event showcases a range of outdoor and off-road vehicles.
The power pavilion has returned this year, featuring ATVs and other off-road models from Off Road Express, Boyer RV Center, Bobcat, and Dave Warren.
A youth ATV safety training demonstration is also available for children aged eight and older, using a simulator to educate young riders on safe operation practices.
Beyond vehicle displays, the expo offers industry-focused demonstrations and educational opportunities.
Dog trainer Jim Beverly is conducting training demonstrations with Labrador retriever puppies, providing insights into selecting and training hunting dogs.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is hosting a big-game scoring event, offering hunters the opportunity to have their harvested white-tailed deer, black bear, or elk officially scored for potential inclusion in record books.
“This is a big thing because if they hit a certain size, then they are put in the score books which gives bragging rights,” said Mark Concilla, president of Erie Promotions.
The extended schedule on Presidents Day gives campers and outdoor sports enthusiasts an additional opportunity to explore special offers from select vendors.
While the main show concludes on Sunday, RV and power sports dealers will return for the extra day to provide industry professionals and consumers another chance to engage with products and sales opportunities.
The event represents an early-season opportunity for dealers to gauge consumer interest and set the tone for the months ahead.