Join Us at Peace Love and Vans Florida!

COMMUNITY AND FUN AND VANSPIRATION

Whether you’re a vanlifer or just vanlife curious, come and join us at the most epic vanlife meetup and industry expo in sunny Florida and one of the largest in the Southeast USA!

Together, we’ll form a 1960’s inspired utopian van village for the weekend featuring hundreds of vans ranging from DIY builds to professionally converted vans and everything in between.

The jam-packed schedule is filled with van tours, expert-led workshops, food trucks, a tropical-themed Tiki Bar, nearly $15,000 in raffle prizes, live music, and an awesome community of like-minded, adventurous people!

There will also be dozens of vendors and exhibitors showing off vans, products for vans, creative crafts, and more! Also, our sponsor, Victron Energy will be bringing their training trailer to showcase their state-of-the-art mobile power systems and their experts will be on-site to answer any questions you might have.

The event is hosted at the amazing Withlacoochee River Park on a wooded site that features ancient oak trees and a grassy field. And, if you want to take a break from vans, you can take advantage of awesome outdoor activities like hikes, biking, and enjoying the river. The park is located between Tampa & Orlando (about 40 minutes from each city).

Schedule of Events:

Friday, March 7th, 2025 (Camping Ticket Holders Only)

Arrival & Welcome
11:00am – 6:30pm: You made it! Welcome! Please don’t arrive earlier than 11:00am on Friday and be sure to have arrived by the time the gates close at 6:30pm on Friday or Saturday or you’ll have to wait outside the park, which would **** - Groovy Grove Campground

Live Music: Moonstone Riders
4:00pm – 5:00pm: We’ll kick off the live music at the Swingin’ Stage with the first performance by Moonstone Riders on a swampy journey to a world of psychedelic country funk - Swingin’ Stage

Kickoff with Campfire and S’mores
5:30pm – 10:00pm: Join us for drinks, socializing, and s’more! - Leafy Lounge & Village Green

Live Music: John Taylor 
7:00pm – 9:00pm: John Taylor is an emerging solo artist from Sarasota, Florida, whose musical repertoire spans Country, Blues, Folk, and Classic genres, among others - Swingin’ Stage

Late Night at the Lounge
9:00pm – midnight: Calling all night owls to the Leafy Lounge! We’ll keep the campfires going so the late-nighters can gather at the lounge and enjoy music and conversation before retiring to camp. The evening chill will also feature live music from Steve McAllister! - Leafy Lounge

Saturday, March 8th, 2025

Good Vibes Morning Coffee
8:00am – 10:00am: Bring your favorite morning beverage or sample the offerings from the food truck, Glazed & Confused and join the community at the Vanlife Outfitters Pavilion and Village Green - Vanlife Outfitters Pavilion

Yoga: Instructor
9:00am – 10:00am: Join us for some yoga and salute the sun! A gentle flow through accessible postures with light breath work. All levels are welcome - bring a yoga mat or towel - Talking Tree

Day pass ticket holder entry begins at 10:00am.
Expo area open.

Victron Energy Trailer Tours & Expert Electrical System Advice
10:00am – 5:00pm: Come by the Victron Energy training trailer to tour example power systems and get your questions on their products or electrial systems in general answered by experts from Victron Energy and Vanlife Outfitters. We’ve also partnered with War Horse All Terrain to demo a state-of-the-art 48-volt secondary alternator Victron-based power system in a Sprinter van that you can check out right next to the Victron trailer. Go blue power! - Victron Energy Trailer

Guided Tour/Hike of Withlacoochiee Park
10:00am – 11:30am: Gather up at the Vanlife Outfitters Pavilion to join other cool cats for a fun exploration of the beautiful nature park that is the venue for the event with Duane who has been the park administrator for decades! - Vanlife Outfitters Pavilion

OpenVan Tours & DIY Contest Voting
11:00am – 5:30pm: Check out the creativity and diversity of our community and meet fellow vanlifers by touring their vans. Participating rigs will have signs/info so you know which vans you can tour. Use your DIY Contest voting card that you received when you arrived at the event to vote for your favorite! More information on the OpenVan Tours and DIY contest - Groovy Grove and Chillville Campgrounds

Live Music: John Taylor
Noon – 1:00pm: John Taylor is an emerging solo artist from Sarasota, Florida, whose musical repertoire spans Country, Blues, Folk, and Classic genres, among others - Swingin’ Stage

Saturday Raffle
5:30pm – 6:00pm: There will be awesome prizes in our raffle on both Saturday and Sunday. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Vanlife Outfitters Pavilion. More info - Swingin’ Stage

Note: park gates close at 6:30pm.
If you’re a day pass attendee, please exit the park by 6:30pm or, if you stay later, we will be opening the gates for a 10 minute window at 7:30pm and 9:00. Those windows will be your ONLY opportunity to exit the park after 6:30pm and overnight camping for day pass attendees is not allowed. So, please plan accordingly!

Happy Hour sponsored by Vanlife Outfitters
6:00pm – 7:00pm: Join us for drinks, socializing, and sunset at the Leafy Lounge & Village Green. Thanks to our sponsor, camper ticket holders will get one free drink ticket that can be redeemed at the Leafy Lounge bar during happy hour. You’re welcome to bring your own food or drink. There will also be live music from the talented Eugene Music at the Swingin’ Stage - Leafy Lounge & Village Green

Star Gazing
7:00pm – 9:00pm: Join our friends from the St. Petersburg Astronomy club who will be sharing their telescopes, knowledge and passion of the skies. Turns out Withlacoochee River Park is a particularly groovy place to star gaze - Connected Camp Campground

Live Music: Moonstone Riders
7:00pm – 9:00pm: Come join Moonstone Riders on a swampy journey to a world of psychedelic country funk at the main, Swingin’ Stage!

Late Night at the Lounge with Karaoke
9:00pm – midnight: Calling all night owls to the Leafy Lounge! We’ll keep the campfires going so the late-nighters can gather at the lounge and enjoy music, karaoke and conversation before retiring to camp - Leafy Lounge

Sunday, March 9th, 2025

Good Vibes Morning Coffee
8:00am – 10:00am: Bring your favorite morning beverage or sample the offerings from the food truck, Glazed & Confused and join the community at the Vanlife Outfitter Pavilion and Village Green - Village Green

Yoga: Mike Lyons
9:00am – 10:00am: Join our very own support tech, Mike and salute the sun! A gentle flow through accessible postures with light breath work. All levels are welcome - bring a yoga mat or towel - Talking Tree

Day pass ticket holder entry begins at 10:00am.
Expo area open.

Victron Energy Trailer Tours & Expert Electrical System Advice
10:00am – 5:00pm: Come by the Victron Energy training trailer to tour example power systems and get your questions on their products or electrial systems in general answered by experts from Victron Energy and Vanlife Outfitters. We’ve also partnered with War Horse All Terrain to demo a state-of-the-art 48-volt secondary alternator Victron-based power system in a Sprinter van that you can check out right next to the Victron trailer. Go blue power - Victron Energy Trailer

OpenVan Tours and DIY Build Contest
Tours: 11:00am – 5:30pm
Contest: 11:00am – 2:00pm

Check out the creativity and diversity of our community and meet fellow vanlifers by touring their vans. Participating rigs will have signs/info so you know which vans you can tour. Use your DIY Contest voting card that you received when you arrived at the event to vote for your favorite! More information on the OpenVan Tours and DIY contest - Groovy Grove & Chillville campgrounds

Sunday Service
2:00pm – 3:00pm: For those who practice, join us for worship, prayer and share gratitude with fellow vanlifers in the lounge - Leafy Lounge

DIY  Build Contest Winners Announced
3:00pm – 3:30pm: Come on down to the Swingin’ Stage for the announcement of the DIY Build Contest “Best in Row” winners for each street as well as the “Best in Show” winner! Be sure to tour the winning rigs after the winners are announced in the Groovy Grove and Chillville campgrounds – kook for the “Best in Row” and “Best in Show” flags - Swingin’ Stage

Sunday Raffle
5:30pm – 6:00pm: There will be awesome prizes in our raffle on both Saturday and Sunday. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Vanlife Outfitters Pavilion. More info - Swingin’ Stage

Note: park gates close at 6:30pm.
If you’re a day pass attendee, please exit the park by 6:30pm or, if you stay later, we will be opening the gates for a 10 minute window at 7:30pm and 9:00. Those windows will be your ONLY opportunity to exit the park after 6:30pm and overnight camping for day pass attendees is not allowed. So, please plan accordingly!

Happy Hour sponsored by Vanlife Outfitters
6:00pm – 7:00pm: Join us for drinks, socializing, and sunset at the Leafy Lounge & Village Green. Thanks to our sponsor, camper ticket holders will get one free drink ticket that can be redeemed at the Leafy Lounge bar during happy hour. You’re welcome to bring your own food or drink. There will also be live music from the talented Eugene Music at the Swingin’ Stage - Village Green & Leafy Lounge

Trivia Night
6:00pm – 7:00pm: Let’s get trivial! Come down to the Swingin’ Stage for trivia night. You can either form your own team or ask to be assigned to a team randomly. This is sure to be a fun hour - Swingin’ Stage

Evening Chill at the Lounge
7:00pm – 9:00pm: Come and chill out with all the cool cats in the Leafy Lounge which is tucked inside a forest of trees. We’ll set the vibe with campfires and mood lighting. Expect lively conversation and plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with other vanlifers - Leafy Lounge

7:00pm – 9:00pm: Live Music - Swingin’ Stage

Late Night at the Lounge
9:00pm – midnight: Calling all night owls to the Leafy Lounge! We’ll keep the campfires going so the late-nighters can gather at the lounge and enjoy music and conversation before retiring to camp. The evening chill will also feature live music from Steve McAllister - Leafy Lounge

Monday, March 10th, 2025

Good Vibes Morning Coffee
8:00am – 10:00am: Bring your favorite morning beverage and join the community at the Pavilion and Village Green. Sorry, no food trucks are available - Village Green

Fare Thee Wells
10:00am – 11:00am: Please help us clean up the area so we are invited back next year! - All vans must be gone by 11am

Food Trucks

We’ll have a variety of food trucks each day. We have made it our goal to support locally owned businesses as much as possible during the Florida Vanlife Gathering.  Below is a listing of the food trucks that will be providing their delicious food from approximately 11am to 7pm. They are mostly based in Dade City or in the area directly surrounding Dade City, FL. This list may change at any time.

Friday - 3pm – 9pm
Jersey Kabobs

Saturday - 11am – 9pm
Wilson’s BBQ
Jersey Kabobs

Sunday - 11am – 9pm
Wilson’s BBQ
Jersey Kabobs

Tiki Bar in the Leafy Lounge

You asked and, well, the dudes abide! New for 2025 is a Tiki Bar in the Leafy Lounge that will be serving amazingly delicious frozen margaritas and pina coladas in commemorative cups. We’ll also have a variety of beers, hard seltzers and wine. The Leafy Lounge is an awesome hangout space tucked into the woods with free smores on Friday night and live music each night. It can be found on the southern end of the site across from Shakedown Street on our village map.

Tiki Bar hours are 5pm and 11pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Best of all, camper ticket holders get a few free drinks – details on the camping ticket page.

Awesome Live Music at the Swingin’ Stage and Leafy Lounge Throughout The Weekend!

Moonstone Riders

Moonstone Riders are a jam band from Naples, Florida, known for their eclectic mix of rock, funk, blues, and country.  The band features Matt Benfield on guitar and vocals, Marcia Winslow on vocals and percussion, Jeffrey James on bass and vocals, and Frank Lewis on drums.

The band is known for their energetic live shows, which often feature extended improvisational jams that weave from one song to the next. The band is building a large and dedicated following, who are drawn to their unique sound and their ability to connect with audiences on a personal level.

Inspired by the music of jam bands like Grateful Dead and Phish as well as old school country greats, Moonstone Riders produces an energy and vibe that contains sounds from the past and elements of the future that gives birth to something that is inventive and intuitive.

John Taylor

John Taylor is an emerging solo artist from Sarasota, Florida, whose musical repertoire spans Country, Blues, Folk, and Classic genres, among others. His performances consistently deliver an engaging and enjoyable experience. In addition to his impressive covers, Taylor features a selection of compelling original compositions in his sets.

Eugene Music

Eugene is a singer-songwriter who began his career singing in the streets of Tel Aviv in 2015. Since then, music has taken him through over 18 countries and has shared countless experiences moving people through music. After 8 years of singing in the streets, Eugene finally bought his dream van which he’s been converting into a recording studio and a stage. He now travels North America with it, entertaining people wherever he goes. He even started offering Driveway Concerts. The songs Eugene is currently working on, shine light on inspiration, hope & coming together.

Steve McAllister

The easiest way to describe Steve’s music is pure Americana but his influences through various genres is a musical panorama. From classics everybody loves to showtunes they adore, he’s also got originals that will leave you wanting more. Sometimes he plays alone and sometimes he plays with others and whoever he plays with in the Wandering Soul Band are his musical sisters and brothers So if you’re looking for music to make you feel alive, you’ve got to understand you need not look any further than Steve McAllister. As an avid storyteller and wordsmith, Steve McAllister crafts musical compositions that reach to the heart of listeners and the challenges and celebrations they experience.

General Information

Campers be sure to arrive between 11:00 am and 6:30pm on Friday. Gates to the park close at 6:30pm and do not re-open until 9:00 am on Saturday. Gates close at 6:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. We highly recommend campers arrive on Friday or early Saturday. Please check out our FAQs for more information.

Day pass ticket holders are welcome to join us between the hours of 10:00am to 9:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. However, the park gates close at 6:30pm. So, if you’re a day pass attendee, please exit the park by 6:30pm or, if you stay later, we will be opening the gates for a 10 minute window at 7:30pm and 9:00. Those windows will be your ONLY opportunity to exit the park after 6:30pm and overnight camping for day pass attendees is not allowed. So, please plan accordingly!

Leafy Lounge Tiki Bar hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 11pm.

We recommend bringing your own chair/blanket and refreshments to each location.

One of our goals as organizers of this event is to minimize waste. So, please bring your own cups, dishware and silverware for the festivities. There will be food and drinks for sale but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Date: March 7-10, 2024

Location: Withlacoochee River Park - 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525

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