GNR 2009

glenda1908 · 01-20-2009, 02:31 PM

I know it's only January, but I'm going to step right up and start a thread about this years GNR, July 19 -24.

As many of you know, we had an irv2 get together last year that turned out pretty well. I have been asked if we will be doing it again this year??

This will be the 40th anniversary of WIT and the theme would be revisiting that era. I know one night will be a "Big Band" show and another a comedian and of course the ever popular traveling Polka Band on Wednesday. We have a pretty good number from the Virginia chapters that will be making the trip this year and we have started planning our Row Party already. For anyone out there that is concerned about Winnebago...don't be.

They are slower than they would like to be right now, but they are solid and holding their own. So if you are interested in another irv2 get together let me know. The GNR registration form is available on the Winnegago web site.

becks · 01-20-2009, 04:08 PM

You can add us to the list again this year if another get together will be held. I was there for all of about three minutes last year before having to go by ambulance to the Mason City hospital. Would love to give it another shot for 2009.

Rudolph · 01-20-2009, 05:16 PM

As I remember your better half and I were at the service department during the get together. I hope to be there this year. Winnebago will be in business as long as they do not forget quality. Jim

DSouthw524 · 01-21-2009, 03:16 AM

We are interested and plan to be there again this year. I wonder if there should be a conection to the WIT area for this topic. There doesn't seem to be much activity there!

Pubtym · 01-21-2009, 03:47 AM

We are registered...and a big 'yes' to another IRV2 get together..

Hope we can get a cooler gathering area with WIT planners vs the tent oven.

Thanks for starting this thread early..we are WIT supporters...and are off to WIT Mardi Gras next month. Of the hoped for 30 + rigs...13 signed up..but WIT sticks with it..we'll stick with them.

Charlie and Francoise

jcar6109 · 01-21-2009, 05:43 AM

We are planning to be there. We were there last year but had to leave early. Hope it is a bit cooler.

Al Spivey · 01-21-2009, 06:39 AM

Though I have been to the Winnebago factory numerous times, I have never attended the Grand National Rally. I am planning to attend the this year and would like to know about the section "lower D." (larger units with 30 amps). Is this area considerably further away from everything? Are the sites a lot bigger and more preferable than the state sites? If you have stayed there before, would you stay there again? What is considered the best location to stay at. Thanks for any and all opinions. Al Spivey

John Hilley · 01-21-2009, 06:53 AM

I couldn't find a map of Rally Park. I have one somewhere and will look it up, but I believe Lower D is down by Friendship Hall where the vendors show, and quite near the amphitheater and food vendors. You really don't have to worry about getting around as they have a lot of people mover trailers pulled by tractors running all the time. You won't regret going. That section would be the farthest from the factory and service center, but they have buses running to them all the time, as well as downtown Forest City.

Pubtym · 01-21-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John Hilley:
I couldn't find a map of Rally Park. I have one somewhere and will look it up, but I believe Lower D is down by Friendship Hall where the vendors show, and quite near the amphitheater and food vendors. You really don't have to worry about getting around as they have a lot of people mover trailers pulled by tractors running all the time. You won't regret going. That section would be the farthest from the factory and service center, but they have buses running to them all the time, as well as downtown Forest City.

On site and off site local transportation was best ever last year..people movers...carts...GNR has that transportation system down to a science now..

glenda1908 · 01-21-2009, 11:12 AM

To Al,
We have never requested a particular area as we have chosen to always park in our state row (VA). I see you are listed as from NC..are you a member of a chapter there? To us, it is more fun to park with your state, esp. for the State Row party.

Unfortunately, you will not know where that is until you arrive on the grounds. The parkers will take you to your spot. If you look at the aerial view picture on the Winnebago site, you can see why you need to let them park you! The parkers have been doing this for years, and are very good at it. On the registration form it also lists the special interest clubs if you are a member of any of those. The area you are placed for the state rows is determined by Winnebago once they see how many coaches from each state will be attending. As stated by others, the "People Movers" are great at getting people around, and nothing is really that far away. Also, you can rent a golf cart, which we have done each year, to use for the week. It is a little expensive, but we split it with another couple. That way we can park it right by our coach and use it when we need it. You can't park your car at your coach once the rally starts, but cars are parked on the perimeters and they are not the far away. We decided to go to GNR three years ago just to say "we've been there".

Well, this will be our fourth year in a row going because we enjoy it so much. Look forward to seeing you there.

Daysu47 · 01-21-2009, 11:15 AM

We too are going, for the first time, this year. We even registered, paid in full, in August last year. Really looking forward to it.

Only 1 question.... We will be in the handicap electrical section. Anything we should know about this area, or, anything else for that matter, for newbee's.

Thanks,
David

glenda1908 · 01-21-2009, 03:57 PM

When you receive your packet, pretty much all of your questions will probably be addressed. If you have a particular concern or question, just drop me a line and I will try to help you with it. My DH uses a Rascal scooter, and we have never had any problems with him getting around the grounds. As I said before, we park in our state row, and it's always been fine. Glad to see several first timers going this year.