Land rovers who attended Family RV Association’s 110th International Convention & RV Expo discovered pirate-themed treasures on the “island” of Perry, Georgia.
By Robbin Gould, Editor
May/June 2025
There was a vibe. An energy. An excitement. It may have been the theme: “Return To Perry: Lafitte’s Lost Treasure,” a fanciful tale based on a real-life pirate named Jean Lafitte, which evolved into a swashbuckling adventure.
It may have been the unveiling of the organization’s updated name: Family RV Association (FRVA), complete with a new logo resembling a compass rose.
It may have been the “RV There Yet?” Discovery Zone, hosted by stars from Discovery Channel who were on hand to feature the event in an upcoming episode of their show.
Or all of the above.
YO-HO-HO!
Many people commented that something special permeated the event. “A lot of the positive energy was a direct reflection of the excitement generated by the staff and Executive Board that was communicated to our members,” FRVA national president Paul Mitchell said.
A representative comment on FRVA’s Perry convention Facebook page summed it up: “The rally was totally amazing.”
The official RV count for the event was 1,574. That number included 1,341 family RVs plus 233 commercial RVs. In addition, 64 Passport registrations — for folks who did not stay on-site — were in the mix. Scallywags — er, first-time convention attendees — made up 24.6 percent.
Traditional convention activities included morning coffee hour, an ice cream social, and live performances by FRVA’s Frustrated Maestros and many other entertainers. Valuable learning took place in 100-plus seminars covering technical and lifestyle topics. Card bingo, line dancing, trivia sessions, and karaoke also filled the hours. A party in downtown Perry welcomed attendees to the city. Altogether, approximately 250 separate events took place. Blimey!
“RV THERE YET?” DISCOVERY ZONE
Patrice and Kevin McCabe, hosts of the “RV There Yet?” travel series on Discovery Channel, were among the first-timers and noted the convention exceeded their expectations. “The community feel and constant interactions all day, every day are the things we love most about RVing,” Patrice said. “If you were looking for an energy-filled experience, this was the place to be.”
The McCabes set up an interactive marketplace called the “RV There Yet?” Discovery Zone in the Georgia Grown building, filling it with RV-related activities and displays. Designated spaces featured product vendors, seminars, cooking demonstrations, Winnebago motorhomes, and a theater with a 14-foot screen airing “RV There Yet?” episodes — including the premiere of their just-begun season 4. Comfy camp chairs were arranged in outdoor gazebos, encouraging a little arrr & arrr. And thanks to a dog adoption event hosted by local animal shelters, three canines found new homes with RV families.
Patrice, Kevin, and their crew were also on hand to film an episode of “RV There Yet?”, spotlighting the fun and community enjoyed by convention attendees and sharing the message of FMCA’s rebranding to Family RV Association (FRVA). This episode debuts on Discovery Channel on Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern/Pacific Time, and will be available online (YouTube, Roku, etc.) on Sunday, May 11. Episodes of their shows also can be viewed at rvthereyettv.com.
Other filming took place as well: Nashville recording artist Charlie Argo visited the Discovery Zone to perform original numbers infused with country/Southern blues as part of an upcoming music video.
TREASURES & BOOTY GALORE
Swashbucklers brought their doubloons to the Miller-Murphy-Howard building in search of products and services to keep their vessels in tip-top shape and to make their journeys oar-inspiring. Attendees had plenty to inspect, thanks to 153 exhibiting companies. Among them were some of the association’s commercial partners in the FRVA Connections area. In the FRVA Store, shoppers chose “vintage” FMCA merchandise and new Family RV Association logo items.
Outdoors, 142 display RVs parked near the lake, awaiting new privateers to provision them and sail away on those asphalt seas.
AARGH!
Attendees channeled their inner scallywag throughout the convention via themed events. This was most evident on Thursday. The “Walk The Plank” Parade, full of decorated golf carts and people, wound its way to the Kleen Tank Town Center for other festivities. They included the “Aye! Wanna Be A Pirate” Costume Contest, which was judged by Patrice and Kevin McCabe, with assistance from the audience. Thirty-two lads and lasses in swashbuckling attire competed to be chosen the best “Jean Lafitte” and “Jeanne Lafitte.” Captain Morgan (who chose to remain anonymous) and Vickie Klock were the winners.
Next, Big Mike and the Booty Papas played their treasure trove of R&B, blues, and contemporary tunes for the “Shiver Me Timbers” Chapterfest, as FRVA chapters welcomed attendees to mingle in their hospitality areas.
As darkness fell, folks viewed the “Buccaneer Boomfest.” This amazing fireworks display, launched above the lake, illuminated the clear night sky and the water below.
DRIVEN TO CARE
Attendees supported the designated charity for this event: Halo Group, a local nonprofit vocational and life skills day program serving adults with developmental disabilities and autism. Via the Driven To Care Silent Auction; the Magic Mile Run/Walk/Ride; pie auctions conducted by “singing auctioneer” Dane Bailey; and miscellaneous donations, including a $500 contri-bution from the American Coach Chapter, more than $4,800 was raised for the organization.
In another show of generosity, colorful quilts made by FRVA’s On-Road Quilters group and On The Road Stitchers chapter were displayed during the convention and donated to the Crossroads Quilt Guild of Perry afterward.
THANK YE KINDLY
We appreciate the hundreds of volunteers who parked RVs, worked security stations, drove trams and activity carts, staffed the Information Center, assisted in seminar rooms, worked the FRVA Store, and served in other areas. We couldn’t have done it without ye.
AVAST, BUCCANEERS!
Alas, the end came all too soon, as attendees weighed anchor and set course for other destinations. But fear not: Another Family RV Association convention is on the horizon. We sure hope you join us July 16 through 19 in Gillette, Wyoming. Turn to page 41 for a preview.
From one pirate to another: We wish you a fair wind ever and always. . . .