Central Oregon’s refreshing, crystal-clear environment and a wealth of
potential destinations before and after the event are helping to nudge
the 2005 Great North American RV Rally (GNARV) to possible
record-breaking attendance.
Much of the excitement has to do with the venue itself. Opened
in 1999, the modern Deschutes County Fairgrounds & Expo Center is
tailored for oversize events. There is enough space within the 132-acre
complex to comfortably park in excess of 3,000 RVs on-site — and ample
locations exist to house upwards of 3,000 additional rigs nearby. Most
off-site parking will be within an approximately two-mile radius of the
fairgrounds, serviced by shuttles.
One change from past GNARV rallies was a decision to move up
the start time of the always-anticipated evening entertainment to 6
p.m., to allow rally participants to return to their RVs at an earlier
hour — although rally-goers may not want the festivities to stop.
Recently released information on entertainers signed for the event is
sure to cause an even greater surge in advance reservations, which are
filling up quickly.
Headlining the show is Debbie Reynolds. Although this
effervescent performer’s credits on stage and screen tend to overshadow
her vocal prowess — she has starred in 49 films, been nominated for an
Oscar (The Unsinkable Molly Brown), twice nominated for Golden Globe
awards and, in 1997, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — who
can ever forget her singing Tammy? This 1997 winner of an American
Comedy Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award is sure to keep the crowd
loose and laughing.
Other evenings will feature Pam Tillis, Ronnie Milsap and
Triple Gold, a group featuring Jim Yester (formerly of The Association),
Bruce Belland (from The Four Preps) and David Somerville (from The
Diamonds).
However, it’s the addition of Tillis and Milsap that vault this
rally solidly into the “not to be missed” category. Rarely has any
single event featured such a slate of stars.
Pam Tillis, daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis and a
Grammy-winning singer in her own right, was named Female Vocalist of the
Year in 1994 by the Country Music Association (CMA). Of her many
albums, five have certified either gold or platinum. She has written
many of her top hits, including the No. 1 chart-topping Mi Vida Loca.
Milsap’s achievements are even more inspiring. Despite being
blind from birth, Ronnie has forged a career spanning more than 30 years
— and 40 No. 1 hits, the most of any country artist except the late
Conway Twitty. His CMA honors include Album of the Year, Entertainer of
the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Calling him solely a country
singer, however, is a misnomer; many of his songs — including Lost in
the Fifties Tonight, There’s No Gettin’ Over Me, Stranger in My House,
Any Day Now and I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World — have crossed
over with pop appeal.
For more rally information, call (877) 749-7122 or go to rv.net/rally.
