First Florida Vanlife Gathering coming to Central Florida – Orlando Sentinel

What was as soon as a fringe motion has all of a sudden come into the mainstream because of Instagram, the pandemic, an absence of inexpensive housing and an itch to get outdoor.

Van life has surged in reputation within the final a number of years and a Central Florida occasion goals to have fun the tradition and way of life of van dwelling. The primary Florida Vanlife Gathering will likely be arrange with a whole lot of vans, product demonstrations and workshops Feb. 3-6 at Withlacoochee River Park close to Dade Metropolis.

The occasion is offered by Vanlife Outfitters, an internet weblog and store devoted to sharing van life sources and ideas. Josh Theberge, the platform’s co-founder who previously lived in Miami, stumbled into the approach to life as a technique to fulfill his nagging itch for outside exploration.

“In 2016, I bought a profitable actual property funding firm in South Florida. I wouldn’t say that I used to be sad however I used to be missing slightly little bit of journey in my life,” he mentioned. “I used to be working for the weekends and spending all my cash on issues that actually, within the grand scheme of issues, aren’t essential.”

At the moment, dwelling in a van full-time appeared like considerably of an unorthodox concept, inflicting confusion among the many folks near Theberge.

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“After I made this determination to construct and transfer right into a van, all of my associates and a few of my household thought I used to be loopy,” he mentioned. “After folks began seeing my images and movies from my travels, they began supporting me much more. When the pandemic began, everybody was like, ‘Okay, how do I do that?’”

Greater than 140,000 People reported dwelling in vans, RVs or boats in 2019, up from simply over 100,000 in 2016, in keeping with Census Bureau knowledge. Theberge credited the pandemic, distant working and costly housing for the even larger surge van life has skilled lately.

Amid the elevated curiosity, the Florida Vanlife Gathering supplies a discussion board for skilled van dwellers to attach with each other whereas providing the “van curious” a glimpse into the approach to life.

“That is going to be 300 vans multi functional place. You possibly can discuss with van builders, demo merchandise and attend free workshops,” Theberge mentioned. “Watching a 15-second video on Instagram doesn’t provide the sort of perception that sitting down with an actual van lifer may give you.”

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Whereas some might need a picture in thoughts of what van dwelling appears like, Theberge mentioned this lifestyle attracts folks of all backgrounds.

“It spans all the things from retirees who’re touring to millennials and Gen Z who’re digital nomads who’re in a position to work remotely. It’s folks from all walks of life and all completely different socioeconomic backgrounds,” he mentioned. “All of us share a way of journey and minimalism, which is a giant factor for folks in van life. You’re sacrificing numerous stuff and luxury, however you’re gaining numerous freedom.”

The Florida Vanlife Gathering (12449 Withlacoochee Blvd. in Dade Metropolis) begins at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and goes till 11 a.m. Feb. 6 for campers with a weekend go. The occasion is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 4-5 for these with a day go. On-line tickets price $15 per day for a day go. Weekend passes can be found for campers in a van beginning at $150. For extra info, go to floridavanlife.com.

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