Certain things are simply “givens” — changeless events as regular as
the tides. You know, for example, that the summer solstice is June 21,
Labor Day will forever be celebrated the first Monday in September …
and, for motorhome enthusiasts, January is synonymous with Quartzsite.
Oh, sure, there’s an RV show involved — perhaps the biggest one in the
country, the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show claimed
attendance last year in excess of 150,000 — but what is otherwise a
dusty little desert town along State Highway 95 just 25 miles from the
California border virtually explodes with people each new year.
From the moment you exit Interstate 10, you’re assailed by
impromptu flea markets and swap meets; tables and boxes and bare earth
are covered with nearly every item imaginable. Look long enough and hard
enough, and you’ll find it at Quartzsite. Of course, you’ll be sharing
the turf with a wild array of gemhounds –- as the town’s name suggests,
the area is a mineral paradise — plus hot-air balloonists, biplane
pilots, even Mexicali dancers and a Native American Pow Wow.
Then venture into the town itself, where between January 21-29,
you can visit – for free – the largest consumer-attended RV show in
America. According to promoter Kenny King, “We turned away more than 100
exhibitors last year due to lack of booth space. In 2006, we are
increasing the square footage of the main structure by 40 percent.” More
space equals even more vendors — and more reasons to attend.
For more information, visit www.quartzsitervshow.com.
