Uncovering The Mystery Of Lafitte’s Legacy
Set sail with thousands of RV explorers in search of enlightenment, good times, and camaraderie at the Family RV Association’s international convention in Perry, Georgia, this March.
By Doug Uhlenbrock, Director of Events
January/February 2025
A Message From Captain Jules Buckingham of the Tortue Verte:
Ahoy, mateys! There be plenty merrymakin’ to be had at Family RV Association’s “Return To Perry: Lafitte’s Lost Treasure” convention, fallin’ 12 to 15 of March in the year 2025. A fleet of RVs will set course fer the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in search of enormous riches rumored buried by the scoundrel Jean Lafitte two centuries afore.
Landlubbers arrivin’ aboard wheeled vessels will dock at this middle Georgia harbor where many times (13) privateers have dropped anchor to engage in RV rally adventures. On schedule there be festive activities to keep the lads and lasses busy durin’ the undertakin’. As ye read on, be knowin’ that the finished manifest remains under scrutiny and will take on several changes before postin’.
Aye, the good cap’n be turnin’ over the balance of this dispatch to a ghostwriter blessed with better scribblin’ skills than this salty ol’ seadog.
See ye in Perry!
LET THE SEARCH BEGIN
At Family RV Association events, RVers uncover myriad treasures.
Perhaps the most valuable gems attendees will discover in Perry are the educational opportunities. More than 100 seminars are scheduled to cover all aspects of the traveling-on-wheels lifestyle.
Tony Barthel (left) and Mike Sokol will be featured seminar presenters during the event.
Want to become more knowledgeable about the nuts and bolts of your RV? Find out how to troubleshoot
and fix problems? Discover aftermarket parts and services to take your RVing experience from good to great? During the tech-based sessions, industry leaders offer instruction about the mechanical workings of today’s RVs. It’s a rare occasion when you can interact directly with the people who design, build, and work on the various RV systems.
One such expert is Mike Sokol, who has more than 50 years of experience working with electricity. Fifteen years ago, he turned his attention to the RV world and has since become a leading authority on electrical safety. Mike has written hundreds of articles related to RV power and is a sought-after speaker on the topic. He will present several seminars during the Perry event. He also will be available at his “Electric Avenue” location to talk AC/DC, equipment, testing, and any other “current” electrical issues.
The seminar slate also features a range of lifestyle sessions that appeal to anyone who calls an RV home, be it for just a few days or year-round living. Topics such as cleaning, storage, cooking, satellite TV, insurance, group travel, health, hobbies, and more are covered.
Bloggers Tony and Peggy Barthel, creators of StressLessCamping.com, will be hanging out with attendees and presenting seminars about boondocking, their favorite travel apps, and tips to stay safe and secure on the road. These Family RV Association members have produced around 300 podcast episodes covering anything and everything RV-related. You would be hard-pressed to find more enthusiastic RVers anywhere.
The Expo will feature a wide array of RVs to inspect.
For those looking for more tangible RV treasures, aisles of items and services will be on display for attendees to fill their coffers during the Expo portion of the event. Beginning Wednesday, March 12, at 1:00 p.m., the Miller-Murphy-Howard and Georgia Grown buildings, the Outdoor Demo space, and the RV Display area will come to life as exhibitors invite attendees to inspect and inquire about the various products available.
Those looking to upgrade or perhaps downsize their home on wheels will find new and preowned RVs to tour from dealers/manufacturers such as Blue Compass RV, Day Bros. RV, Hoosier Custom Cruisers, and National Indoor RV Centers.
Be sure to visit the FRVA Connections Area, where partners will discuss services and discounts available to members. Plenty of RV equipment and service providers will be on hand to make sure your rolling home has the latest and greatest accessories. Plus, you’ll find a variety of lifestyle-related exhibits offering nearly anything and everything an RV owner may need.
FOLLOW THE STARS TO FUN
Meet Kevin and Patrice McCabe, hosts of the “RV There Yet?” TV series, who will show viewers what an FRVA convention is all about.
As you search for “Lafitte’s Lost Treasure,” be sure to welcome Kevin and Patrice McCabe, hosts of the Discovery Channel series “RV There Yet?”. They will be on hand to chronicle the Perry convention for a future episode of their popular travel show. The McCabes also will present seminars, engage with attendees, and enjoy the scheduled activities during their stay. The “RV There Yet?” series, now in its fourth season, follows the couple as they take viewers on a road trip to explore America, with wild adventures, crazy detours, and campfire fun along the way. Be sure to visit RV There Yet? Discovery Zone in the Georgia Grown building.
Many more “stars” will shine during the evening hours as part of Captain Buckingham’s entertainment lineup. Following Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday, enjoy an evening of group singalongs as Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos take the stage. How can you resist joining in as the duo breaks into familiar favorites?
Macon Sound
On Wednesday, attendees are invited and encouraged to make the 1.5-mile journey north along General Courtney Hodges Boulevard to the downtown area for the “Welcome To Perry” party. Visit the businesses, eat at one of the great restaurants or food trucks, and enjoy a night of entertainment presented by Macon Sound on the old City Building lawn. Drive yourself or jump on one of the shuttles provided for this night of off-the-grounds fun.
The following evening, join Family RV Association groups for the “Shiver Me Timbers” Chapterfest at the FRVA Town Center. Chapters will extend the gangplank for all to join the fun and fellowship offered by these groups. If you’re part of a chapter, make plans to host a party. If you’re not, come visit these dynamic divisions to see whether one or more might be right for you. During the celebration, enjoy live entertainment, culminating with an explosive ending to what promises to be an incredible night.
Imagine a celebration of the biggest hits by the greatest female singers in pop music history! That’s what you are in store for on Friday night as Divas3 takes the stage in Reaves Arena. Three female singers with powerhouse voices perform hits from the 1960s through the 1990s made famous by stars such as Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Cher, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, ABBA, and many more.
Divas3
Tony Knight & Friends
Rounding out the evening fun in Perry, hear all your favorites from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s as Tony Knight and Friends pay tribute to the legendary greats. Tony and his backup singers will have you clapping, toe tapping, singing along, and dancing through the whole performance. Tony honed his vocal skills singing gospel up and down the East Coast. These days he performs at venues throughout central Florida and as a headliner on cruise ships.
In addition to the evening entertainment, attendees can count on a variety of daytime acts, including the Frustrated Maestros, Mike Fuller . . . The Magician, and a bunch of other surprises.
Join the “Weigh Anchor” Parade in Perry.
Attendees will have plenty of opportunities for fun with other activities as well: card bingo, bean bag toss and ladderball tournaments, a pirate costume contest, and more. Stop by the Yo-Ho-Ho Hangout area to find out what you know and what you don’t during the FRVA Trivia Challenge with the good captain, or come around at night to show off your singing skills during Karaoke With A Keck. And don’t miss the “Weigh Anchor” Parade. Grab your friends and chapter members and create your pirate-themed entry as the colorful procession winds through the fairgrounds. Or gather along the route and salute your favorite scallywags.
LEAVING TREASURE BEHIND
As attendees learn and laugh, shop and sing during the convention, they also will be making an impact on the surrounding community through the association’s Driven To Care program. This campaign was established several years ago to raise money for a designated charity in the host area. The HALO Group has been selected as the beneficiary for the “Lafitte’s Lost Treasure” convention.
This non-profit agency, founded in 2008, is a vocational and life skills day program serving adults with developmental disabilities and autism. HALO strives to assist those who are able to find equitable and viable employment within the community, offering continued job coaching in order to sustain employment.
In Perry, fundraising activities will include the Driven To Care Silent Auction. Attendees, chapters, and commercial members donate items to bid on during the event. The lucky winners will make their donation and claim their items, with all proceeds going to the HALO Group. Also, make sure to sign up for the Magic Mile fun run/walk. Donate $10, get together with your friends, and traverse a one-mile circuit around the grounds. What could be better than an hour of healthy fun to help such a worthwhile cause?
The “Lafitte’s Lost Treasure” convention promises to be one whale of a gathering, so batten down the hatches, hoist your Jolly Roger, and set sail toward Perry. For more information or to register, visit FMCA.com or call (800) 543-3622.
LEARNING AT A HIGHER LEVEL
The FRVA Academy offered in Perry will help attendees expand their RV knowledge.
T he FRVA Academy brings expert instruction to those seeking to elevate their RVing knowledge.
While the educational opportunities during the “Return To Perry: Lafitte’s Lost Treasure” convention will be exceptional, Family RV Association also offers a pair of advanced learning initiatives prior to the event to help students become better all-around RVers.
Instructors from the RV Driving School offer hands-on driving classes for those who have never driven a motorhome or pulled an RV, or those who may need some additional training to become better, safer operators.
The Driving Class option includes four hours of classroom learning and four hours of behind-the-wheel training with your own RV. The curriculum includes backing and parking; mirror adjustment; situational awareness and lane positioning; proper road separation; over-the-road driving; and more. Upon completion, you will have the knowledge, skill, and confidence to get behind the wheel and navigate your RV.
Hone your driving skills during the FRVA Academy offerings in Perry.
The Backing Class includes right- and left-angle, 90-degree, and straight-line backing; parallel parking; turns, swingouts, and curb climb; and more. You will learn the correct methods of maneuvering your RV into tight places from multiple directions. Never again will you “need” a pull-through campsite or spend hours — and your last bit of patience — getting your RV parked.
FRVA also presents the best, most comprehensive training for beginning RVers or those who want a refresher on RV systems with the RV Basics program. This 2½-day workshop acquaints — or reacquaints — you with your RV’s operation and systems. The class focuses on preparation, operation, and maintenance practices essential for trouble-free travel. Expert instructors will provide “tip to tail” education and answer questions specific to your RV. Replace myths and disinformation with knowledge and confidence.
To learn more about these classes, visit FMCA.com/academy (RV Basics), FMCA.com/rv-driving-school (RV Driving School), or call (800) 543-3622.
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Source: https://familyrvingmag.com/2025/01/01/uncovering-the-mystery-of-lafittes-legacy/
