I went to the Rockabilly Reunion in Lake Havasu last February. (Official details live year-round on the annual Rockabilly Reunion page.) I brought my husband, our kid, and way too much hair spray. I thought it might be cheesy. I was wrong. Well, a little cheesy—but in the best way. Before we hit the road, I fell down the rabbit hole at RockabillyTennessee.com, soaking up enough tips and history to make my Victory rolls practically bounce with confidence. For another first-hand recap of the same festival, read this loud, sunny weekend breakdown—it pairs perfectly with a fresh coat of pomade.
You step out of the car and hear that slap-slap of the upright bass. Guitars twang. People cheer. The London Bridge sits right there like an old movie set. The sun hits the water and makes the chrome on the cars glow. You know what? It felt like a time warp, but with better tacos.
The scene (and the hair)
Pompadours everywhere. Cat-eye shades. Polka dots. I saw a guy with a slick black ’57 Chevy Bel Air. Turquoise trim. White roof. He let my kid sit in the front, hands on the wheel. The shifter was a marble skull. Spooky but funny.
A row of rat rods shook the ground. You could smell gas and cotton candy and leather in the same breath. I kept my YETI cup stuffed with ice water, because it gets dry out there. Wind picked up mid-afternoon, so my red bandana worked double-duty: cute and practical. Anyone wondering how to keep a masculine look sharp in that wind should skim through this guide to wearing men's rockabilly clothes for a whole month; the tricks for wrinkle-free cuffs are gold. If you need a quick crash course in taming curls or stacking a pompadour, bookmark these five easy rockabilly styling tips before you pack your comb.
Music I actually danced to
We caught a surf-rock set right at sunset. Fast, punchy, and a little wild. Later, a solid Johnny Cash tribute got the whole crowd singing. Folsom Prison. Ring of Fire. Simple, true. I’m not a great dancer, but the grass by the stage was packed, so I just hopped around in my boots and called it “style.”
Here’s the thing: the sound was loud but clean. The upright bass thumped in my chest, not my ears. I still brought foam earplugs for the kid, because I like being a mom with hearing later in life.
Cars that made me stop and stare
- A red ’59 Cadillac with tailfins like rocket wings. We took our holiday photo in front of it. Yes, in February. Don’t judge.
- A matte green Ford Fairlane with a bench seat. The owner told me he rebuilt it with his dad. I got a little misty. My grandpa had one that smelled like oil and peppermint gum.
- A lowrider dripping in chrome. The hydraulics bobbed like a slow heartbeat. People clapped. I clapped too.
Food, merch, and little splurges
Lunch was simple: street tacos with a squeeze of lime, kettle corn, and a lemonade so sweet it made my teeth hurt. Worth it. The funnel cake? Powdered sugar everywhere. I dropped some on my polka dot skirt and decided it looked like “vintage freckles.”
Vendors sold real stuff, not junk. I tried Suavecito pomade at a booth and bought a small tin for my flyaways. Grabbed a red bandana and fake cherry earrings. A woman at a pop-up salon teased my hair into a mini beehive in under five minutes. Magic. Humble magic. The stylist joked that a good circle skirt survives anything, and I totally believe it after reading about someone who lived in a rockabilly western dress for thirty days.
Some stands took cards. Some didn’t. Cash helped. The ATM line got long after 3 p.m.
The pin-up contest felt warm, not weird
I was nervous about it, but it was sweet and upbeat. Big cheers. Good humor. Lots of curves, lots of style, and no mean vibes. My kid hollered, “Go Miss Daisy!” even though we didn’t know her. The host cracked jokes that landed. Family-friendly, which matters to me.
If the playful retro tease of the pin-up stage leaves you craving more vintage-flavored fun between festivals, you can dip into an online world where performers often channel that same cheeky 1950s vibe—this in-depth Camsoda review breaks down show types, pricing, and safety features so you can decide whether the platform’s live streams scratch that classic pin-up itch from the comfort of your couch.
Kids, shade, and the bathroom truth
We used the kids’ zone for a bit. Bounce house, chalk, music a little softer. Nice reset. Shade is limited, so our small fold-up chairs and a light blanket helped. Portable fans would be smart too.
Bathrooms? Fine at noon. A little rough after 5. Bring baby wipes. Soap ran out at one sink. I had a pocket sanitizer. Hero move.
Parking and getting around (the not-so-fun part)
We parked near the State Park lot and walked in. It was a bit of a hike, but flat. Wear comfy shoes. I saw a few folks try to wobble in heels. Don’t. The wind near the water can snap hats, so use a clip. Sun is no joke—SPF 50 and reapply.
After sunset, it got cool fast. Bring a light hoodie. I wore a jean jacket with patches. Felt right.
Where we stayed
We booked the London Bridge Resort, which sits near the channel. Pricey that weekend, but we could walk to dinner after the show. For readers plotting similar retro road trips on the opposite coast—say you’re eyeing the rock-and-roll horse-country vibe of Saratoga Springs—you can sift through local lodging leads on the Backpage Saratoga classifieds board, where travelers swap budget-friendly motel tips, share last-minute room openings, and even coordinate ride-shares to nearby live-music events. Next time I might grab a cheaper motel up the hill and just plan for an early start. Rooms sell out fast—like, months fast—so don’t wait.
What I loved
- The cars. Real pride. Real stories.
- Music that made people smile. Not heavy, just fun.
- The crowd—a mix of families, bikers, old-timers, and teens in fresh creepers. Zero drama.
- Vendors who knew their stuff. Hair tips, care tips, even shoe polish.
If you’re still hunting for outfit inspiration before you go, flip through this storyteller’s tour of rockabilly western wear—it’s basically a cheat sheet for packing.
What bugged me a bit
- Cash lines and ATM lines. Have bills ready.
- Shade is scarce. My neck felt cooked by 3 p.m.
- Bathrooms need faster refills late in the day.
Handy packing list (from my mistakes)
- Sunscreen, hat with clip, sunglasses
- Cash, card, and a small portable charger
- Earplugs for kids
- Baby wipes, mini sanitizer
- Fold-up chairs or a blanket
- Light jacket for after dark
- Water bottle you’ll actually carry
Final say
I went for the cars. I stayed for the music. And I left with dusty boots, sticky fingers, and a grin. If you hate crowds and loud tunes, this might not be your thing. But if you like chrome, throwback vibes, and a day by the water with strangers who feel like neighbors, go. I’d do it again next year—same bandana, same earrings, same happy heart.