When: March 11-14, 2011
Where: The Texas Stampede Canton, TX
Address: 800 Flea Market Rd, Canton, TX 75103
Early Parking days March 9-10, 2011
All members who register prior to January 1, 2011,
will receive one night free early parking!
There'll be a big Texas "Howdy" as the Southwest Sunshine Rally returns to Texas in 2011. As HRRVC launches a massive recruitment program, this rally will be a recruiting rally. We challenge every current member to bring a firsttimer. The first-timers attending their first HRRVC National Rally will receive a $15.00 discount, refunded at the rally. All first-timers will have a buddy. There are many new owners, and some not so new owners, who are unaware of HRRVC and the fun events available to members. Let's get as many of them as possible to Canton. All members who register prior to January 1, 2011, will receive one night free early parking.
Canton Civic Center is only a few blocks from the quaint, historical downtown district. There are 400 full hookup sites, some 50 amp. Handicapped parking is available, so if you need it, be sure to complete the required information on your registration. Event staff members will be available to share information on caravans, adventures, rallies, membership benefits and locations of chapters. The first-timers' orientation will be held the first morning of the rally.
This rally will have so many activities, there should be something for everyone. Activities include a golf tournament, craft classes, craft contest, games, vendors, Rambo, tours, booths for scholarship, Make-A-Wish, and Habitat for Humanity, WI-FI, email, bazaar, quilts and covers, a daily devotional service and, of course, always some surprises.
There is a challenge for the best chili as we have a Chili Cook Off. In Texas, a Chili Cook Off is a big event. The local fire department will be arriving with lights flashing and sirens blasting to judge the chili before the rally attendees get to fill their bowls. The rally will also include two catered dinners, one catered breakfast, ice cream, hospitality three mornings and the "Hitchin Post". The "Hitchin Post" will have snacks, popcorn, tea, lemonade and water each day. The theme for this rally is "Western" so bring your boots and western attire.
For entertainment, we will have on opening night "The Lawmen Country Band", retired Texas Highway Patrolmen. This is an awesome group that will provide us with great country music. Saturday night will feature a band from Dallas called "Zydamax". Robert and Jennifer Hartman, a band member drives a Holiday Rambler. On Sunday night, we'll have a DJ who will be playing for a "unique dance" contest. On Monday night, a local Gospel Quartet will be singing for our closing ceremony.
Currently, we are working with Jim Anderson of Holiday World of Dallas and some other dealers to provide a display and limited services at reasonable prices. A seminar is planned on unit changes, there is the possibility of a round table discussion about service problems.
Make plans now to attend and register early to get a free night of early parking. Early parking will be March 9 and 10, 2011. Before that date, the Trades Days clean-up crew will be getting the grounds and building ready for our rally.
"The Ultimate Shopping Experience"
Canton, Texas is the home to the "Canton Trades Days", the worlds oldest and largest flea market. It will be held March 3-6, 2011, the weekend before the Southwest Sunshine Rally. It offers quality antiques, collectibles, crafts, tools, furniture, neat stuff and fair-type food. The attendance to this event is very large. To make reservations for the "Canton Trades Days" contact Tam Erwin, coordinator at 903-567- 1849. The last date to make reservations for the March 3-6, 2011 event is January 14, 2011.Tours
Tour # 1: East Texas Gator and Wildlife Park (Car Tour)When: March 10, 2011, 10:00 AM
Cost: $5.00 each
Gators of all sizes, baby armadillos, baby possums, fish, finch, turtles, snakes, parrots, spiders, and Bandy and Willie the Ferrets. Baby animals, such as the armadillo and possums, are housed until they can be released back to nature. The animals at the park vary from time to time. The gators are fed at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily. The park has a place lunch concessions offering hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and shrimp, plus gator kabob, gator E'toufee and venison chili.
Tour # 2: Heritage Park Museum, Edgewood, Texas (Car Tour)
When: March 11, 2011, 9:30 am
Cost: $30.00
This historical village has turn-of-the-century buildings such as the Tom Cat Café and the Edgewood Bandstand. Gilliam's gas station, a country store, barber shop, blacksmith shop and print shop help visitors experience what life was like back then. Other buildings built in the 1800s include the Church in the Wildwood, Myrtle Springs School, a dogtrot cabin and a two room cabin. The Murchison Depot, which now exhibits an extensive model train setup, and the Carriage House, which exhibits an extensive collection of vintage tools, farm implements, saddles, buggies, and a Model T Ford, catch the interest of many visitors. This historical village, with attendants dressed in vintage clothing, transports visitors back to a simpler time when folks strolled through the country store for a few supplies and over to the town barbershop or cafe for an afternoon of visiting with friends and neighbors.
Tour # 3: The Texas State Railroad Steam Engine Dogwood Run (Tour Bus)
When: March 12, 2011 (Departure time in Rally Program)
Cost: $65.00
Limted to 47 Members
The Texas State Railroad, established in 1881, is truly a Texas Treasure. This historic steam engine train travels through scenic East Texas from Rusk to Palestine where it passes through rolling hills. March and April are called the Dogwood Run months. The delicate beauty of the dogwoods are just beginning to show at this time, but of course Mother Nature determines the time. The seating will be climate controlled and sometimes a few cowboy bandits sneak aboard. A tour bus will transport the group from and to Canton for the 1 1/2 hour train ride.