Let’s Rally in Louisville

Mark your calendar: June 16 to 19. That’s when the fourth annual Great North American RV
Rally welcomes RVers from across the continent to the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center
in Louisville, Kentucky. This year’s GNARV Rally will again be sponsored by
MotorHome/Trailer Life, Camping World President’s Club, Coast to Coast, the Good Sam Club,
Motorhome America Club and Woodall’s Publications. (The rally grounds will accommodate
early birds June 14 and 15.) The 2003 event will feature more than 100 informative sessions
on all things RV, from coach maintenance to cooking. Among the RV experts who will be
addressing these important topics are MotorHome/ Trailer Life Associate Publisher Bob
Livingston, MotorHome columnist Gaylord Maxwell and Highways columnists Joe and Vicki
Kieva. Other seminar topics include: batteries and inverters, campground safety, chassis
maintenance, diesel engines, dinghy-braking systems, financing, fire safety, full-timing,
health and exercise on the road, onboard weapons, photography, RV insurance, solar systems,
suspension systems, and RVing to Alaska and Mexico, two of the most popular destinations
among RV travelers. Huge exhibit areas will offer hundreds of the latest RV products, and a
selection of brand-new recreational vehicles will be on display. Money-saving deals will be
offered on many accessories and vehicles during the rally. Rally sponsors will host special
activities, giveaways and fun for the whole family each day. On Monday, June 16,
MotorHome/Trailer Life and Woodall’s Publications will invite rallygoers to a celebration
of that great American pastime: baseball. The designated area will be identified by a big
“RV Publications Day” banner, where rallygoers will find copies of the company’s popular RV
magazines as well as Trailer Life and Woodall’s buyers guides, campground directories and
softcover books. Camping World President’s Club will offer prizes and popcorn on Tuesday,
Coast to Coast will welcome attendees on Wednesday, and the Good Sam Club will host
Kentucky Derbytheme activities on Thursday. In fact, throughout the rally, families will
find a variety of activities tailored for youngsters. After a busy day of seminars,
exhibita and activities, rallygoers will enjoy on-stage entertainment every evening. On
opening night, country singer Lee Greenwood will start toes tapping with a rousing program,
including God Bless the USA. He wrote both the music and lyrics of the patriotic
hit, which won Country Music’s Song of the Year in 1985 and returned to Billboard’s Top-20
country hits after September 11, 2001. On Tuesday, The Coasters and The Marvelettes will
perform some of their Top-10 numbers. The Coasters’ rock’n’roll hits include Yakety
Yak. The Marvelettes’ harmonious hits include Please, Mr. Postman. Both
groups will perform new songs as well as old favorites. On Wednesday evening, The Great
Pretenders will present a legends-inconcert show with live tributes to such great
entertainers as Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson and Elvis. The legendary Oak Ridge Boys will
bring the rally to a climactic close on Thursday night. Over the years, the group has won
top Grammy, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards, among other
accolades. Some of their No. 1 hits, such as Elvira and American Made,
will be on the program, along with new songs. Besides the slate of seminars and special
daily activities, rallygoers can take advantage of the opportunity to see a variety of
local attractions. The Bluegrass State has many, and what could be easier than joining
fellow RVers on a bus tour? At presstime, optional tours include: Churchill Downs, Falls of
the Ohio State Park, Fort Knox, the Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky Horse Park, Louisville
Slugger Bat Factory and Museum, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Mammoth Cave National Park, My Old
Kentucky Home/Bardstown, the National Corvette Museum, Shakertown and Six Flags Kentucky
Kingdom. (Note: Signups for optional tours must be made in advance, when mailing in
registration packets.) A $54 Rally Passport can be purchased by anyone who wishes to attend
the rally, but is not camping on site. The pass covers admission to all activities and
events (including entertainment) and is valid from June 16 to 19. A $5 day pass will permit
admission to the exhibit hall, but not seminars. As a great convenience, an Internet center
will be set up to provide computers where attendees can check their e-mail and visit
various Web sites. June weather in Louisville usually averages in the low to mid-80s F, but
could rise above 100 F and cool off to below 50 F at night. Rallygoers will enjoy
airconditioned seminar rooms, exhibit halls and entertainment facilities. To register for
the 2003 Great North American RV Rally, call (877) 749-7122, visit rv.net/rally or e-mail [email protected]. And don’t forget the
dates: June 16-19!