The pink Vintage Cruiser travel trailer looks like it’s waiting for Barbie to go camping at the entrance to the St. Paul RV Supershow at RiverCentre.

“I’m going to sell a lot of these,” predicts Kirk O’Farrell of Markquart RV of Ramsey, Minn.

The pink confection by Gulf Stream Coach, on display in a prominent spot with an event price of $25,999, is one of many trendy options for the outdoorsy lifestyle available to check out this weekend in this free show that is now in its second year in downtown St. Paul after Cenaiko Productions retired their Sportsmen’s Show from the capital city.

The new show’s promoter does not share concerns cited by the previous one, such as crime in the city.

“We’ve always loved the venue,” says Darren Mann of K&D Productions. “This is a convenient location for the vendors and the show has a really good outreach.”

The St. Paul location, Mann says, draws in visitors not only from the metro, but also from southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

RV trends

While the 1950s aesthetic is trending with the Vintage Cruisers, some of the other options on display look more like modern tiny homes than recreational vehicles.

Promoter Darren Mann talks about the variety of recreational vehicles on display during the St. Paul RV Supershow at the St. Paul RiverCentre on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.  (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

“Manufacturers have caught on and are now offering their concepts of tiny homes,” Mann says.

The home-like features include bigger kitchens and bathrooms, electric fireplaces and wallpaper, double bathroom sinks and walk-in closets, multiple USB charging stations and interior LED lighting, outdoor kitchens and porches and more.

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“The idea is to treat yourself with a little bit of luxury,” Mann says.

That includes Mann. An empty nester, he just sold his RV dealership — which means he and his wife finally have more time to go RVing.

“One of the things we plan on doing is hitting the road,” Mann says.

In what? He says he’s partial to the Venture RV SportTrek Touring Edition Luxury Travel Trailer, on display at the show.

Fishing and fun

For those who aren’t buying — including the kids accompanying their families to the show — there’s also a trout pond and other activities by Fishing for Life to give kids a taste of the outdoors while indoors on a cold weekend.

“Our goal is to give kids a great experience at this show,” says Chad Lanners, chief operating officer at Fishing for Life.

St. Paul RV Supershow

It’s like the Auto Show but for recreational vehicles: RV dealers will be on hand to showcase the newest options in RV living; there will be camping, RV and outdoorsy vendors; family friendly live events and interactive exhibits including live trout fishing by Fishing for Life.
When: noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: St. Paul RiverCentre at 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. in downtown St. Paul.
Admission: Free
Parking: Attendees are encouraged to park in the RiverCentre Parking Ramp on Kellogg Boulevard, with skyway access to St. Paul RiverCentre.
Info: stpaulrvsupershow.com.

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