Holiday theme in focus as RVers converge on fairgrounds for state event
Blinking Christmas lights, decorated holiday trees and miniature snowmen were spotted throughout the Meade County Fairgrounds last weekend. That’s because the organization’s theme, “Christmas in June” attracted about 200 people from throughout the region who called Brandenburg home during the annual Kentucky state “Samboree.” The Good Sam Club got its start more than 40 years ago, according to the organization’s Web site, when a handful of RV owners put Good Samaritan bumper stickers on their RVs so fellow members know they could get roadside assistance. The idea blossomed from there and now members travel from state to state to and sometimes abroad to interact with fellow members and boost the local economy. “Good Sam clubs have one million members,” Linda Lane said. “This is the Kentucky Good Sam state samboree. Held locally for the past 10 years, event organizers Don and Linda Lane said the “samboree” will be conducted here for at least two more years, if not more. Don added fairgrounds manager David Pace has always bent over backwards for them. Individual clubs were responsibile for different events throughout the weekend, including craft judging, parking, registration, security and stage decorations. This year, participants traveled from as far as California and as close as Indiana to attend. Other states represented were South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Mississippi. “When we leave here we are going to Tennessee for their Samboree,” Linda Lane said. One of the rules stressed by state ambassador Robert McElye during the opening assembly, was “to wear your name badge and a Good Sam smile whenever you go into town.” “We spend a lot of money in this town,” Don Lane said, estimating during the event’s first year upward of $37,000 was spent in area restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. “If we have a flat tire on the rigs or if the transmission goes bad then we fix it locally. We also send them all over and encourage them to buy their diesel fuel locally,” he said. It isn’t all work and no fun at the event. Weekend activities included a bean bag toss for adults and children, seminars, entertainment from participants of the Wave Revue, a chance to hear Michael Kelsey on the river front, a craft show, cake walk and an auction. Vendors were also plentiful, selling everything from RVs to necessary accessories, cookware and cosmetics. “You need to go to the vendor building and buy something from all of them,” McElye said. In the evenings, participants enjoyed a hot dog dinner, morning hospitality, a barbecue dinner, ice cream social and the closing banquet, featuring the parade of flags and music by The Kinman Family. Registration fees are collected, Don Lane said, but the bulk of the event expenses are covered by the RV dealers, who not only bring their vehicles on site for review, but also contribute toward the meal costs. “Those rigs go for a lot of money and it would be nice if they would sell a rig or two,” he said. Participating vendors included Right Stop RV of Shepherdsville, Skaggs RV Sales of Elizabethtown, Tinker’s Toys Dixie RV Sales of Louisville and Tom Stinnett RV Sales of Clarksville, Ind. During the opening ceremonies, Don Lane, who had a bout with cancer, which he said he hoped is now in remission, thanked everyone for their cards and well-wishes. “I want to thank you all for your prayers and I especially want to thank my wife. She has been a trooper for the last five months and has done everything for me,” he said. His comments were met with a standing ovation from those gathered in the Farm Bureau Community Building. And when the dust settles and the Christmas decorations are put away, the RVers and their occupants will return to Brandenburg in late September, looking forward to experiencing still more hospitality from the community. Click Here to Go Back
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By LARRY SEE JR.