National Rally Arrival Procedure

[Woodyswanch]

Arrival procedures-all attendees please read
I was going to wait awhile to post this but we have so many coming in I thought it would be a good idea to be proactive.





The normal arrival times for the Rally will be from noon to 5 PM. There may be some exceptions and we'll do our best to get people in. There should be a phone number at the sign in area for the early and late arrivals. Please call this number and we will expedite a parking crew to come to your rescue.


The only big exception for arrivals will be on the seventh. Any and all people who have volunteered to help may come as early as they can on the seventh. But not before I've had my morning pot of coffee. This has the making of a real cluster fork so we need everyone to be patient. The "Parking Team" volunteers will have priority to enter and park. This will expedite other arrivals once we get our volunteers mustered.


Now what to look for. The only road that gets you to the fairground is CR 34 (East Monroe St). Most will come from the west, some from the east. We will use gate number 3 for entry. This will be the only gate with people/pennants/orange cones/whatever we can do to get your attention, unless Marcia wants to barricade gate two. When you get on CR 34, SLOW down, if you overshoot the entrance you just added some time and frustration to your day. DO NOT turn onto the gravel road west of gate three. It will ruin your day.


You will enter a large parking lot and turn (right) to head west. There is room for multiple rows of rigs. Just pull behind the one in the shortest line. We will try to get to everyone in the order they arrived. No guarantees, please be patient. Some will arrive to an empty parking lot, some won't. Timing is everything. We will also try to de conflict multiple rigs going to the same area.



There should be a canopy in the middle of the lot with several people lounging around on golf carts, drinking fruity drinks with little umbrellas and staring at their phones. This is where you will be signed in and given your own personal parking professionals (ppp). The ppp will guide you to your assigned campsite and assist you in parking. They are required to make sure you do not encroach on your neighbors site. All sites will be professionally marked with spray paint. Encroachment is punishable by requiring you to move your rig to be inside your area. This will be shown as a yellow card. The red card comes on the third try and requires a trip to the local liquor store. Believe me, you don't want to go there.


If you have questions on your water, electric or sewer, the ppp should be able to answer them. If not we will find someone who can.


That is pretty much it. Simple if the weather cooperates, the arrivals are spaced out, and we get enough helpers when we need them. The arrival times are to give the parking staff a chance to enjoy themselves. Staffing for the odd arrival late at night or early in the morning is actually quite boring. There will be a separate post in the volunteer thread to inform the volunteers what to do.



So happy trails and we are looking forward to meeting everyone in September. And yes, I did cut and paste this from last years rally with some minor edits.

[Woodyswanch]

If you come in earlier than the seventh (or early morning of the seventh) and no one knows you are there and you happen to see your site is empty and you decide you will park and you don't see the paint lines and you park wrong and you screw up everyone else and we have to move all those affected and they wonder why and you don't want me to rat you out and you don't have a good bottle of bourbon and you can't find the liquor store, well, you're screwed.


Please, please, please be careful when parking un escorted. Different rallies park differently. You can not go by the faded grass. Your rig must be inside your lines with everything extended inside your lines. This is where the domino affect really does happen. If you are unsure, wait for a "Parking Team" member or one of the wagon masters to give some assistance. Even this doesn't guarantee error free parking. But it does minimize it. The park isn't all that big and someone will help you.

[Woodyswanch]

I have heard that Elkhart County Fairgrounds is not allowing camping prior to the seventh. There will be a few exceptions for the Wagon Masters. This is due to a prior rally and the need to perform maintenance prior to our rally. For those hoping to check in early other plans need to be made. I have not asked about Harley Hill. There are other campgrounds in the area, along with WalMart and other big box stores that may allow boon docking. There is also a large parking lot behind the "Lux". No need to cook breakfast. Good luck, we're all counting on you.

[Woodyswanch]

For those curious, the National Rally Arrival Procedure test will be closed book. No electronics allowed. Please bring a sharp number two pencil and an eight ounce tumbler. Ice is optional.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Woodyswanch

For those curious, the National Rally Arrival Procedure test will be closed book. No electronics allowed. Please bring a sharp number two pencil and an eight ounce tumbler. Ice is optional.

I just reread this. Whwew. I almost wrote sharp number two tumbler and an eight ounce pencil. That would have been embarrassing.

[Woodyswanch]

The first fifty campers will get a "Parking Team" bobble head. But only if they get here in time.

[Woodyswanch]

The excitement is building. You can almost see it floating on the bourbon. Rumor has it that Rondo is getting "duck bumps". Every one travel safe, getting a "Parking Team" bobble head while in itself is quite the treat is not worth missing that last rest stop break to try to get in early.

[Woodyswanch]

One final note for all arrivals. Except for designated feeding times, please do not feed or hydrate any "Parking Team" members. We have a strict regimen and proprietary carbo intake program designed especially and specifically for the rigors of our all volunteer force. We don't want unforeseen incidents from happening. (foreseen incidents are okay) Please abide by any rules we may make up.

[Woodyswanch]

We are almost to the point when I stop being so serious. For those that have read my threads you know that I take this responsibility in a solemn, almost religious way. As everyone prepares to leave for the rally, take a few minutes and take stock of what you have. This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and try new bourbons. Speaking of bourbons, you can never bring too much to share. Even if it comes from Michigan. So drive safe and try to have some fun.

[Butchl]

Perhaps you can post a picture of the Bobblehead!!
It might slow down the arrivals!!
Looking forward to our first MOC Rally

[Woodyswanch]

Dang things are still on back order. Who'd of thunk they would be so popular. So much for the ebay resale.

[Woodyswanch]

It's September second, do you know where your Monty is?

[smkn454 Mike]

Smkn 454 Mike here,
It's waiting for me to load it..��
I've got my vest all fitted and ready for action!!

[Woodyswanch]

Well quit wasting time talking to me and get that baby vacuum packed, bubble wrapped, and placed in a secure location. The rally goers are depending on us.

[smkn454 Mike]

Yes sir!! Right after my morning coffee & when my pool boy closes the pool...
Bubble wrap & vacuum sealer are ready to go

[Woodyswanch]

All my wands are packed
I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say get in the truck
But the dawn is breakin
It's early morn
The Montys waitin
I'm blowin my horn
Already I'm so anxious
I need to drive


So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll camp with me
Guide me like you'll never get me lost
Cause I'm leaving for a MOC rally
Don't know if it will rain or not
Oh babe, I hope I packed a vest


So to all the volunteers and their support staff. To all the attendees and their support staff. Drive safe and remember to bring cookies.This should give you something to vent on while waiting to get parked. Plus we may be influenced with a good chocolate chip.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by smkn454 Mike

Yes sir!! Right after my morning coffee & when my pool boy closes the pool...
Bubble wrap & vacuum sealer are ready to go

Finished the first pot. Wish I had a pool boy, I might be doing that in the rain this year.

[Reset19]

Attached is a map of the fairgrounds

[smkn454 Mike]

Yea, I'm the pool boy & I just have to quit lounging by the pool & get to it since coffee time is over. But first I need to load the ole Monty with necessities...chocolate chip cookies & some "Jim" or "Jack" or maybe both! They're above pool duty on the list!

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Reset19

Attached is a map of the fairgrounds

That is a great map. Just curious where you found that at? Much better details then previous ones.