Militaria Military Vehicle Show & Flea Market

The Militaria flea market has been around for a long time. This rally is arguably the largest and longest running annual event of its type in this country. For military vehicle enthusiasts, historians, preservationists and collectors this is a must go to rally.
For a number of years this was their website.
Content is from the site's 2016 archived pages.

The proceeds from the event benefit several military museums, war memorials, non-profit charitable and civic organizations.

The Washington Area Collectors/Blue & Gray Military Vehicle Trust (WAC/B&G MVT) Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA are the sponsor of the Annual East Coast Military Vehicle Rally. Their club is a not for profit organization that supports the education of persons interested in historic military technology. We offer support to civic organizations by providing operating historic military vehicles for static displays, parades, and other events to honor veterans of our military services. Their website is found at: http://washingtonbluegray.com/

43rd Annual East Coast Rally
May 12, 13, & 14, 2016
Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland

Our annual all-weather Militaria flea market, held at the Ripken Stadium Complex parking lot, with 650+ spaces always sells out!

The event features vehicles, tents, Militaria, insignia, collectibles, knives, bayonets, gun parts, electronics, surplus, uniforms, BDUS, models, parts, books, and more!

There is a large vehicle display area and a Friday night auction.

This event is great for scouts, vets, campers, collectors, modelers, re-enactors, history buffs, and just about anybody.

The Washington Area Collectors/Blue and Gray Military Vehicle Trust (WAC/B&G MVT) operates this rally as a not-for-profit event. The proceeds from the event benefit several military museums, war memorials, non-profit charitable and civic organizations.

The Annual East Coast Military Vehicle Rally is sponsored by the WAC/B&G MVT Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA). Online jewelry retailer SterlingForever is providing the sweepstakes prizes, which include a large selection of sterling silver rings, earrings, necklaces and other valuable items. Winners will be determined by a random draw during the festivities.

 

The rally site is located at:
Ripken Stadium Complex
(in the parking lot)
923 Gilbert Road
Aberdeen, MD 21001
The location is about 1/4-mile northwest of I-95.

Take I-95 Exit 85 (Aberdeen/Churchville) and go west toward Churchville on MD 22. Approximately .5-mile from the I-95 interchange, at the traffic signal, turn right onto Long Drive. Go .7-mile to a right turn into the rally entrance gate at the Ripken Stadium Complex.

For our visitors arriving by public transportation, the rally site is convenient to Balitmore-Washington International Airport near Baltimore. Greyhound Bus lines and Amtrak and MARC Rail serve the nearby community of Aberdeen and are approximately four miles from the rally site. Two taxi companies stage at the train stations when trains are scheduled to arrive. Average fare to the rally is $7.00. Enterprise and Avis rental cars are available in town. These companies provide pickup service for renters.

 

RALLY RULES

REMINDER!!! SALES OF LIVE FIREARMS OR LIVE AMMUNITION IS PROHIBITED AT THE EAST COAST RALLY

Spaces and Lanes

Use of Spaces

Standard spaces are 18 feet wide x 18 feet deep. There are a few extra large (XL) spaces that measure 27 feet wide x 18 feet deep. Stay within the spaces you rented. Keep all vehicles, structures, guy lines, and merchandise within the limits of your space(s). You must purchase enough space to accommodate all the items you intent to place in it.

Paved Surface Spaces

The driving of stakes, pins, or any other such objects into the asphalt for any reason is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Please come prepared to provide an alternate method of securing any tents, canopies, or flies you may wish to erect. Note that water is available on site if you wish to use water-filled buckets as anchors.

Driving Lanes

20-foot wide driving lanes are interleaved throughout the site. Vehicles are prohibited from parking or standing in these lanes to allow free passage of large vehicles and emergency equipment.

Tampering, Damaging, or Sabotage of Rally Infrastructure or Equipment

Willful tampering, damage, or sabotage to any rally infrastructure or equipment, for example; the public address system, toilets, signs or markings, generators, lights and other equipment owned , leased, or provided by WAC/B&G; MVT will not be tolerated. Anyone found tampering, damaging, or sabotaging any rally infrastructure or equipment will be evicted from the rally site. No refunds or compensation will be given. The repair of any damage to WAC/B&G; MVT rally infrastructure or equipment will be charged to the person damaging the infrastructure or equipment. Parents or accompanying adults will be held responsible for their children or minors in their care.

Trash

Trash must be picked up when you vacate your space(s). There are dumpsters on the rally site for your use. You are responsible for removing all items from your space(s) at the end of the rally. You will be charged a clean-up fee of $35.00 if discarded items must be removed from your space(s) by our staff after the closing of the rally.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours will be observed between the hours of 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM. All generators or other noisemaking devices must be shut down at 10:00 PM each night on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and orderly conduct maintained.

Vehicles and Driving

All vehicles entering the rally field must be properly tagged and insured, have and display your post card confirmation of your space.

Any vehicle that is observed being operated in an unsafe manner, operated in a manner that causes damage to the asphalt, or exceeding the speed limit, will have the vehicle pass confiscated and the owner must move that vehicle off the rally field. All drivers of vehicles must posses a valid Driver’s License from their state of residence. If your customers need to drive onto the rally field to pick up large parts, have them inform HQ/Registration.

Weapons

The sale of live firearms receivers, pyrotechnics, live ammunitions or ordnance of any type is strictly prohibited. .Maryland State law prohibits the sale of edged weapons to minors (under 18 years old).Edged weapons for sale shall be secured in proper display cases.

 

VISITOR INFO

Admission is free!

Rally Operating Hours
8am - 5pm on each of the three days.

Lodging, Food, Shopping, Attractions

Lodging
Lodging is available at these following hotels and motels in the Aberdeen Maryland area. All these listed establishments are near Exit 85, Maryland Route 22, Aberdeen/Churchville on I-95. These establishments are within 2-miles of the rally site and are listed for your information.

Budget Inn of Aberdeen
1112 S. Phidelphia Blvd. (U.S. Rte 40)
Aberdeen MD 21001
(800) 664-6835
Website

Clarion Hotel of Aberdeen
(formerly Four Points Sheraton Inn)
980 Hospitality Way
Aberdeen MD 21001
(410) 273-6300
Website

Holiday Inn Chesapeake House
1007 Beards Hill Rd
Aberdeen MD 21001
(410) 272-8100
Website

Marriott Courtyard Aberdeen at Ripken Stadium
830 Long Drive
Aberdeen MD 21001
(800) 236-2427
Website

Marriott Residence Inn Aberdeen at Ripken Stadium
830 Long Drive
Aberdeen MD 21001
(800) 331-3131
Website

Red Roof Inn
988 Hospitality Way
Aberdeen MD 21001
(410) 273-7800
Website

Super 8 Motel
1008 Beards Hill Rd
Aberdeen MD 21001
(410) 273-5420
Website

Travelodge Hotel
820 W. Bel Air Avenue
Aberdeen MD 21001
(410) 272-5500
Website

Wingate Inn - Aberdeen
1326 Policy Drive
Belcamp MD 21017
(I-95 Exit 80, 5 miles south of rally site)
(800) 444-6835
Website

Restaurants
There are a number of restaurants in and around the Aberdeen Maryland area. These establishments range from well known fast food outlets, buffet-style, theme restaurants as well as family-owned restaurants and diners. You are sure to find something that suits your taste.

Shopping
There are several stores in and around the Aberdeen Maryland area where necessities and supplies may be purchased. These include groceries, several super stores, home center stores, a motor coach and travel trailer parts supply, and many other establishments catering to your everyday needs. There are several antique shops within a five mile radius of the rally site.

Attractions and Entertainment
Within 10 miles of the rally site you will find local area museums, antique shops, golf courses (both full links and minature), batting cages and movies.

The city of Baltimore is 30-miles southwest and offers many attractions. So bring the family. There is plenty to do in the area.

 

More Background On MilitaryVehicleShow.com

 

MilitaryVehicleShow.com served for many years as the official informational website for one of the most established and respected military history events in the United States: the Militaria Military Vehicle Show & Flea Market, commonly referred to as the Annual East Coast Military Vehicle Rally. The website functioned as a central hub for event planning, historical documentation, and community engagement for military vehicle enthusiasts, collectors, historians, preservationists, veterans, reenactors, and families.

Rather than being a commercial or entertainment-driven site, MilitaryVehicleShow.com reflected the ethos of a nonprofit, volunteer-led preservation effort. Its pages emphasized education, stewardship, safety, and respect for military service. While the site is no longer actively updated, its archived content—especially from the mid-2010s—captures the maturity of a rally that had already been operating for more than four decades.

Today, the website stands as a digital artifact of how large enthusiast communities organized complex, multi-day public events before social media platforms became the dominant method of communication.

Organizational Ownership and Mission

MilitaryVehicleShow.com represented an event organized and operated by the Washington Area Collectors / Blue & Gray Military Vehicle Trust, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to historic military vehicle preservation and education. The trust functions as a regional chapter within a broader national preservation community focused on maintaining historically accurate military vehicles and artifacts.

The rally itself was explicitly structured as a nonprofit endeavor. All proceeds were directed toward supporting military museums, war memorials, and charitable or civic organizations. This nonprofit mission influenced every aspect of the website’s content, from its straightforward design to its emphasis on rules, safety, and ethical collecting practices.

Rather than promoting spectacle, the site consistently framed the rally as an educational and commemorative gathering—one meant to honor service, preserve technical knowledge, and pass historical understanding to future generations.

Historical Development of the Rally

The Militaria Military Vehicle Show & Flea Market long predates the website that documented it. The rally originated decades ago as a small gathering of collectors and veterans interested in sharing restored vehicles and surplus equipment. Over time, it expanded steadily, evolving into a large-scale annual event that drew participants from across the eastern United States and beyond.

By the time MilitaryVehicleShow.com was actively used, the rally had reached its forty-third annual iteration, underscoring its remarkable continuity. Few enthusiast-driven events in the country can claim such longevity, particularly those that remain volunteer-organized and nonprofit in nature.

The website played a critical role during this era by consolidating information that previously circulated through newsletters, phone trees, and word of mouth. Schedules, maps, vendor rules, transportation details, and lodging suggestions were all made accessible in one place, helping the rally scale while maintaining order and safety.

Location and Physical Setting

The rally documented on MilitaryVehicleShow.com was held at the Ripken Stadium Complex in Aberdeen, Maryland. The event took place primarily in the stadium’s expansive parking lot, which provided the necessary space for hundreds of vendor booths, large military vehicles, tents, and driving lanes.

The location was strategically chosen. Situated just off Interstate 95, the site was easily accessible for attendees traveling from major population centers along the East Coast. Its proximity to rail service, regional airports, and highway infrastructure made it practical for both local visitors and long-distance participants hauling large vehicles or trailers.

The surrounding area offered hotels, restaurants, shopping, and family attractions, reinforcing the rally’s identity as a multi-day destination event rather than a brief exhibition.

Event Scale and Layout

One of the defining characteristics documented on MilitaryVehicleShow.com was the sheer scale of the event. The annual flea market alone featured more than 650 vendor spaces, which consistently sold out. These spaces were carefully regulated, with clearly defined dimensions and driving lanes to ensure safety and accessibility for emergency vehicles and large military equipment.

The site outlined multiple zones within the rally grounds, including:

  • Large military vehicle display areas

  • Vendor and flea market rows

  • Auction areas

  • Registration and headquarters facilities

The structured layout reflected decades of logistical refinement. Rules governing vehicle movement, tent anchoring, quiet hours, and waste management were prominently detailed on the website, emphasizing the organizers’ focus on order, safety, and respect for shared space.

Exhibits and Offerings

MilitaryVehicleShow.com documented a remarkably diverse range of exhibits and items available at the rally. Visitors could expect to encounter:

  • Fully restored historic military vehicles from multiple eras

  • Tents and field displays recreating historical military settings

  • Militaria such as insignia, uniforms, and personal equipment

  • Books, manuals, and reference materials

  • Models and restoration parts

  • Surplus equipment and electronics

The flea market component was particularly notable for its breadth. Unlike general antiques markets, the rally catered specifically to historically informed collectors. Items were often accompanied by knowledgeable sellers who could explain provenance, usage, and restoration considerations.

A Friday night auction added another dimension, offering rare artifacts and collectible items in a controlled, curated environment.

Rules, Ethics, and Safety Standards

A significant portion of MilitaryVehicleShow.com was dedicated to rules and conduct guidelines. This emphasis distinguished the rally from more casual hobby events. Detailed policies covered:

  • Prohibitions on live firearms and live ammunition

  • Restrictions on edged weapon sales to minors

  • Requirements for proper vehicle registration and insurance

  • Noise and generator limitations during quiet hours

  • Restrictions on modifying paved surfaces

These guidelines reflected both legal compliance and ethical considerations. The organizers made clear that historical interest did not override public safety or respect for the law. The website communicated these rules in a firm but educational tone, reinforcing the rally’s professional and responsible reputation.

Audience and Community

The audience served by MilitaryVehicleShow.com was notably broad and multigenerational. While serious collectors and vehicle restorers formed the core constituency, the site explicitly welcomed:

  • Veterans and active-duty service members

  • Scouts and youth groups

  • Families and casual history enthusiasts

  • Reenactors and model builders

  • Educators and museum professionals

The rally was positioned as an inclusive learning environment. Admission was free, reinforcing accessibility and public engagement rather than exclusivity. This approach helped foster a community atmosphere in which expertise was shared openly and curiosity was encouraged.

Educational and Cultural Significance

Beyond commerce and display, the rally documented on MilitaryVehicleShow.com played a significant educational role. Historic military vehicles are complex machines, often requiring specialized knowledge to maintain and operate. The rally created a living classroom where visitors could see, hear, and sometimes ride in vehicles that otherwise exist only in museums or photographs.

The event also contributed to cultural memory. By preserving and displaying vehicles and artifacts from different conflicts and eras, participants helped contextualize military history in tangible ways. The website framed this work as an act of stewardship rather than nostalgia, emphasizing learning, respect, and historical accuracy.

Press and Public Recognition

Although MilitaryVehicleShow.com itself maintained a modest, utilitarian design, the rally it represented achieved wide recognition within military collecting and preservation circles. It was frequently described as a “must-attend” event for enthusiasts on the East Coast and was known for its scale, organization, and authenticity.

Its longevity served as a form of recognition in itself. Surviving and growing over more than four decades required adaptability, volunteer commitment, and strong community trust—qualities that the website implicitly documented through its detailed planning and transparent communication.

Legacy of the Website

MilitaryVehicleShow.com now exists primarily as an archived record, but its legacy remains significant. It illustrates how volunteer-driven organizations once relied on carefully structured websites to manage complex public events. The clarity of its content, the emphasis on nonprofit values, and the depth of logistical detail make it a useful reference for historians studying grassroots preservation movements in the digital age.

For former attendees, the site evokes memories of long weekends spent among historic vehicles, shared meals with fellow enthusiasts, and conversations that bridged generations. For new readers, it offers insight into a uniquely American tradition of preserving military history through hands-on engagement and community collaboration.

 

MilitaryVehicleShow.com was far more than an event listing. It was the digital expression of a long-running nonprofit effort dedicated to preserving historic military vehicles, educating the public, and honoring service through responsible stewardship. By documenting the Annual East Coast Military Vehicle Rally in detail, the website helped sustain one of the nation’s most enduring military history gatherings.

Even in archived form, the site continues to inform, educate, and remind readers that history is not only preserved in books and museums, but also in the careful restoration of machines, the sharing of knowledge, and the communities that gather year after year to keep the past alive.

 

MilitaryVehicleShow.com