Nearly 200 RVs were parked around the Battlefords Agricultural Society exhibition grounds over the weekend, all members of the Good Sam Club.
Every year, members from 17 different chapters around the province get together and spend a weekend reacquainting themselves with old friends from past years.
Good Sam Saskatchewan provincial director Jim Brady says the weekend is held in smaller communities every year for an obvious reason.
“We prefer small towns because the cities are too costly for us, too busy for us and they really don’t want us hauling 200 RVs through the city,” he explained. “But we don’t mind that. It gives us a chance to explore other areas of Saskatchewan. Last year we were in Foam Lake, next year we’re going to Outlook.”
As you might imagine, there are some necessities when having a large number of RVs in such a small area.
“A lot of communities will send us letters inviting us to come,” Brady said. “When you get 200 units there’s a lot of parking involved, a lot of members require power or want power so we need a facility that can handle that.”
Exploring different areas of the province is half the fun for those who come to the yearly event.
“I’ve lived here all my life, up in the Northeastern corner, Melfort and Tisdale area,” Brady said. “I didn’t realize how many different things there was to do here in the Battlefords area, so I was pleasantly surprised. This is what we’re trying to promote, what our province has to offer. We don’t have a lot of Americans, but we do have a lot from Manitoba and Alberta.”
It also offers an opportunity for those with RVs who don’t get to use them often, to come out and enjoy the time together.
“I’ve had people tell me they almost had to sell their rig before they joined us because they never had time or a place to use it,” Brady said.
The four-day event consists of a number of activities. From golf to beanbag baseball to RV maintenance seminars, there’s always ways for those who make the trip to stay busy.
“Each day we have a hospitality meeting with coffee and cookies,” said Gerry Byers, head of the Saskatoon chapter. “There are RCMP presentations, Native American dancers, STARS presentations, craft seminars, jam sessions, pancake breakfasts, banquets, golf tournaments and raffles.”
Members of each chapter also get together once a month, weather permitting, to stay up to date on future events.
