The entire motorhoming family will enjoy a variety of games and entertainment during FMCA’s 89th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, set for March 17-20, 2014, in Georgia.
By Peggy Jordan, Associate Editor
January 2014
One of the best benefits of belonging to FMCA happens only when members get together: They have fun! And as the number of members who gather grows, the fun increases exponentially as well. As they say, the more the merrier!
When thousands of FMCA members roll into the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter for FMCA’s 89th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase March 17-20, 2014, merriment will abound. Plans are taking shape for a variety of fun-filled games, and the live entertainment on tap will engage everyone who likes to hear a good story or fabulous music.
Fun and Games
Following is a sneak peek at some of the activities that are being planned for the event. Be sure to check your convention program once you arrive on-site to find out the “when” and “where” for all events. For some games, winners will be awarded prizes and then entered to win a grand prize as well. So, chances of winning are doubled!
Number Match Game: Can you find an attendee at the Family Reunion whose numbers on his or her name badge match yours? Up to three matches for a unique number will be possible. What a great way to meet new friends!
Golf Cart Driving Skills Course: You say it’s easy to drive a golf cart, huh? Try maneuvering in reverse, navigating around obstacles, and engaging in other challenges while your every move is being judged!
Pedal Boat Races: Grab a trusty pedal partner, and may the two of you cross the watery finish line first. Or at least do so while having fun.
Go Fishing! Tournament: The lake at the Agricenter is home to hungry fish, just waiting for some tasty bait. A prize goes to the biggest catch.
Passport Game: In FMCA’s version of “The Amazing Race,” participants will work to have their passports filled with stamps within a certain time frame. Turn in a completed passport to win prizes.
Best-Dressed Pet Contest: Attention, all domesticated pets! Get your human to enter you in this contest. Dogs, cats, etc., need to be on a leash, have their shots up-to-date, and be congenial around other critters. Categories may include funniest, most patriotic, most talented, best owner look-alike, most huggable, and more.
Purses For A Purpose Silent Auction: This is not just for the ladies! All kinds of fun, cool, and useful items are used to stuff purses that FMCA members can then bid on. All the proceeds will be donated to an organization that helps to support area military families.
Where Is Sheldon? Hunt: Our favorite mascot, Sheldon the Turtle, will be popping up (figuratively) in various locations around the Agricenter.
Georgia Geocaching Contest: GPS owners will have a blast finding caches set up specifically for them at the Agricenter, all with a Georgia theme. Who can find them all first?
Card Bingo: This classic game will be made more exciting because you can play it with new motorhoming friends or your favorite lucky pals.
Bean Bag Baseball: Form a team consisting of your chapter or friends, or just show up, ready to play on any team! You could be the next bean bag Babe Ruth.
Evening Excitement
The evening entertainment portion of the Family Reunion promises to be full of stories and music!
But first, on Monday, March 17, the word for the evening will be “Wow!” That’s because all the newest motorhomes will be open for you to inspect, and they will be dazzling. The “Motorhome Preview” occurs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., giving you an early glimpse of the new floor plans and interior designs. The motorhome displays also will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Supplier and component exhibits begin on Tuesday, March 17, and will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.)
On the evening of Tuesday, March 18, get ready to hear tall tales from Jeanne Robertson, because, well, she is tall (barefooted with her hair “mashed” down, she’s 6 feet 2 inches)! Jeanne Robertson is a professional speaker who specializes in humor based on her life experiences. Speaking to thousands of people each year, she utilizes her positively funny style to fill audiences with hilarity.
This Miss Congeniality winner in the Miss America Pageant “Yearrrrs ago,” quoting Jeanne, uses her down-home Southern drawl to leave her audiences laughing. Jeanne has been awarded every top honor in her profession. They like her back home, too. The North Carolina Press Association named Jeanne 2001 North Carolinian of the Year.
You may have seen this Hall of Fame speaker being interviewed by CBS correspondent Morley Safer on “60 Minutes,” watched one of the seven humor DVDs she has produced, or heard her on Sirius/XM Radio, or seen her YouTube clips, which have had more than 12.5 million hits.
But only if you’ve seen Jeanne in person can you really appreciate why she stands at the top of her profession.
The following evening, Wednesday, March 19, FMCA members will thrill to the sound of The Texas Tenors. On NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in 2009, The Texas Tenors became the highest ranking vocal group in the history of the show. The trio won fourth place, but, more importantly, they earned a spot in America’s heart. The group’s song list includes country, gospel, classical, and Broadway music. It’s a treat and sure to please everyone. To their breathtaking vocals they add humor and cowboy charm.
Each member brings something different. John Hagen has vast classical music experience, having performed in national operas and Broadway shows. JC Fisher was raised on a cattle ranch and adds a country and gospel influence. Marcus Collins, a veteran of Broadway and television, adds raw emotion and a contemporary pop sound.
John, Marcus, and JC have performed in more than 20 countries, including China and the United Kingdom. When not on tour, the Tenors can be found in several cities across the United States for extended runs, including concerts each autumn at The Starlite Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
The group has released several recordings, and in December 2013 marked the airing of their first PBS special, “The Texas Tenors: You Should Dream Live.” The program, recorded in May 2013, includes tunes from their new album, “You Should Dream.”
Sarah Getto will take the stage Thursday, March 20. Sarah has performed at music shows, conventions, RV resorts, and RV rallies across the United States. She is an avid RV owner — and FMCA member — who has traveled more than 50,000 miles during the past two years, entertaining tens of thousands of RV enthusiasts in 26 states.
Sarah’s show features music originally recorded by Anne Murray, Karen Carpenter, The Supremes, The Captain and Tennille, Alison Krauss, and many other pop, country, and gospel performers.
In addition, Sarah is an accomplished songwriter, having placed third in the 2006 Billboard Magazine World Songwriting Competition. Her own tunes include a list of heartfelt country, Christian, and instrumental originals.
Sarah was born blind and with a severe cleft palate. She began teaching herself to play the piano at age 3 and the violin at 10, and she also plays the guitar, bass, and autoharp. Sarah started composing music in her early teens. She graduated summa cum laude in 2007 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a degree in music education.
Sarah also enjoys performing and recording Christmas music, producing the CDs herself. On her recordings, she plays and sings all of the instrument and vocal parts.
FMCA’s “Passport to Perry” Reunion is sure to be a passport to fun! To register for the event or to learn more about it, visit FMCA.com (click on Conventions and then the Perry 2014 link), or turn to pages 73 and 74 of this issue of the magazine. Remember: the more the merrier!