September 2002
Music, magic, and merriment will take center stage during FMCA’s Motor “Home On The Range” extravaganza.
To help motorhomers feel at home on the range during FMCA’s 68th Premier International Motorhome Extravaganza in Hutchinson, Kansas, October 1, 2, and 3, the association has assembled a diverse group of performers to provide a wide range of entertainment during the event. Add several special events to the schedule, plus free coffee and doughnuts in the morning and refreshments each day, and you’ll want to consider spending the sunny side of your days near the Daytime Entertainment Stage.
Early arrivals to the extravaganza can spin their partners over to the Commercial Building on Sunday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m., for a round of square dancing with FMCA’s own Howard Cowles, F18517. Howard, better known as the “singing square dance caller,” has led FMCA hoedowns for more than 35 years and always makes sure everyone is having a good time. If you don’t arrive in Hutchinson until Monday, you can still sashay to Howard’s square dance calls and line dance instruction on Wednesday and Thursday, October 2 and 3, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Commercial Building. Howard is sponsored by Coach-Net, C4055, an FMCA One Star sponsor.
During Motorhome Preview Day on Monday, September 30, keep your eyes and ears open for Rich Pearl and the Musical Comedy Game Show. Rich is a banjo-playing, game-show-hosting, balloon-filling comedian who doesn’t need a stage to perform on — he takes his podium with him. Kids clamor for his balloon creations while adults line up to compete in his musical game shows. Rich will be roving the fairgrounds searching for contestants and smiling faces throughout the Motorhome Preview on Monday; on Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. to noon; and again from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
All daytime entertainment is presented courtesy of Liberty Coach Inc., C733, and Liberty Coach of Florida, C9405, together an FMCA Five Star sponsor. The Daytime Entertainment Stage will be at the Farm Bureau Arena, located at the corner of Cottonwood Avenue and Fort Leavenworth Boulevard. All entertainment will be found there, unless otherwise noted.
Make sure to begin each day of the extravaganza with complimentary coffee and doughnuts available during the Morning Coffee Hour, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., at the Farm Bureau Arena. Coffee Hour is presented courtesy of Buddy Gregg Motor Homes, C3326, and Country Coach Inc., C2132, together an FMCA Super Star sponsor.
While you’re enjoying your breakfast goodies, let the toe-tapping sounds of the Frustrated Maestros get your feet warmed up for a full day of activities. Composed of members from FMCA’s nine Frustrated Maestros chapters, this eclectic band will kick-start your day with its songs, sing-alongs, dances, and humorous bits. The Frustrated Maestros will perform from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each day of the motorhome extravaganza. You also can hear the group on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., during the Ice Cream Social. The cool treats will be served up courtesy of RV Alliance America, C95, an FMCA Super Star sponsor.
Tuesday October 1, the official opening day of the Motor “Home On The Range” extravaganza, has been designated Outdoor Demo Day. Several activities will take place in the Outdoor Demonstration Area from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and attendees will be treated to free popcorn and enjoy roving entertainment.
From 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Richard Renner, the Vodvill Klown, will be entertaining in the indoor and outdoor exhibit areas. Mr. Renner’s roving act is described as “old-fashioned buffoonery at its best.” Whether he’s juggling, scooting around on a unicycle, strutting about on stilts, or creating an improvisational comedy skit with audience members, his sense of humor and energy are sure to coax many smiles and much laughter.
FMCA will welcome back Willie & Company to the Daytime Entertainment Stage for performances on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ventriloquist Peggy Miller breathes life into her extended family of dolls — Willie, Granny Gardner, and 3-year-old Hannah Rebecca Hughes — right before your eyes. Don’t be fooled by Willie, the star of the show. He may look like an innocent 5-year-old, but he has the sharp wit of someone much older. Ms. Miller has performed her ventriloquism act throughout the United States and internationally. Her amusing banter with the dolls is sure to have everyone laughing. Willie & Company will be in Hutchinson courtesy of Jayco Inc., C9334, an FMCA Four Star sponsor.
Flakey the Magic Clown will present his magic show for kids of all ages on Tuesday from noon to 1:00 p.m. Flakey, also known as Henry Gartner, F197563, has been clowning around and performing his magic at FMCA area rallies and conventions for more than 20 years. Accompanied by Patches, his pet rabbit, Flakey packs his show with plenty of audience participation and laughs. Flakey also will perform during Youth Center registration on Monday, September 30, and at the individual youth centers periodically throughout the extravaganza. Flakey will appear in Hutchinson courtesy of Blue Ox/Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co., C2903, an FMCA One Star sponsor.
Enjoy the music of Steve Milo, F223684, on Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mr. Milo, who plays the keyboard and piano while singing, will bring a combination of big band, soft rock, and jazz music to the Motor “Home On The Range” extravaganza. He has entertained at country clubs, restaurants, nightclubs, and resorts throughout the country for more than 30 years.
FMCA celebrates Motorhome & Chassis Day on Wednesday, October 2, which also has been selected as FMCA Race Fan Day. A variety of racing machines and drivers are expected to be in the outdoor display area. Even if you’re not a racing enthusiast, stop by for a refreshing cup of iced tea between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday, a tip of the cap will go out to all of the exhibitors who brought their wares and services to the extravaganza during Component/Supplier Appreciation Day. Punch and cookies will be served from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in each of the exhibit buildings, courtesy of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, C6727, an FMCA Three Star sponsor.
Also on Thursday, attendees will be treated to special Celebrate Kansas Day activities, including homegrown entertainment. From 11:00 a.m. until noon, the Prairie Rose Wranglers will offer a selection of classic cowboy tunes. “Ultra Slim” Orin Friesen, “Cyclone” Stu Stuart, and “Tennessee” Jim Farrell will harmonize to such western favorites as “Cool Water,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and “Ghost Riders In The Sky,” along with other trail songs and Wrangler originals. The trio’s performances also are interspersed with sidesplitting, family-oriented humor. The Wranglers play regularly at the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper, located just outside of Wichita.
The Oxnard Twins — Durby and Mullvane — will follow from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two-man band will fill the air with their renditions of “Bigeyed Rabbit,” “Prairie Dog’s Plight,” “The Wreck Of Old 97,” and other old-time songs from the heartland. Dale Frazier (Durby), who plays guitar and banjo, and Bill Rexroad (Mullvane), on the upright bass and bones, will delight extravaganza-goers with their down-home humor, tall tales, and lively bluegrass sound. The two have performed as the Oxnard Twins for just two years, but have been on stage together for more than 20 years. Both are talented old-time musicians and storytellers, and each has been inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame.
Concluding the extravaganza entertainment will be the Hutchinson Community College Symphonic Band, led by Jeff Pelischek, which will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.