COLDWATER — Back for a fourth year, owners of Grand Design RVs are packing the expanded campsites at the Branch County Fairgrounds for a five-day rally and camp out through Saturday.
Jason Varga and his wife Amanda coordinate with four other volunteer couples to host other Grand Design RV owners for the event. The event features people getting together, games, an educational program, and a "chance to enjoy time with others with the same interests," Jason said.
The fair board's campsite expansion allowed the number of RVs to increase to just over 300, almost a third larger than the three previous years.
The location is the largest one with hookups in the state for the rally.
Rental for the rally is the biggest fair board money-maker after the August fair.
On Tuesday, the fairgrounds roads were lined with RVs waiting to pull into spots for hookups directed by volunteers.
Jason Varga said, "Four other couples are volunterring. None of this would happen without these unpaid volunteers."
Many of the people know each other from this and other camping events. They socialize, play games and bingo, and have cornhole tournaments, dances and campfires.
Bill and Wendy Sabin from Cleveland arrived early with their dogs, Gunner and Remy. In Coldwater for the second year, both came back for "the camaraderie. It's just a really nice event, put on well. You're not going to run into any problems with anybody here."
Both will try local restaurants and check out the county.
Their 32-foot fifth wheel is a two-year-old trailer. "It's almost like a house in there," Wendy said. The couple upgraded from a 27-foot RV for more room.
Both took the week off. "We'd like to travel more, but we got to retire first," Bill said.
Colleen and Kurt Cleary are from Grand Rapids. They attended the National Rally last year and decided to participate in the Michigan Rally this year.
Kurt bought the RV in November 2021 and took it deer hunting. "It's got an Arctic package. I was up in 22 degree weather for four days and nothing froze. Grand time," he said.
The couple uses the RV to travel a couple of times a year. After Coldwater, they head to the Finger Lakes region of New York.
The Vargas's RV is 39-and-1/2-feet of living space with bump-outs on both sides. A "toy hauler" space in back for the golf cart converts into a bedroom for their daughters.
Jason said, "When you're inside, it's like you're at home. A lot of people I know dread sleeping in their camper, but I look forward to it."
Vendors and craft sellers will be on site during the rally. Local businesses supply food, services, and other items for attendees.
Those at the rally support charities during the week.
Amanda Varga said again this year that Laura's Place, the domestic and sexual violence survivors shelter house on Michigan Avenue, will receive donations.
Another is Habitat for Humanity caravanners, who travel the country working on homes for low-income families.
The group will raise also money for The United States Honor Flag, a group convoy of first responders from 9/11 Ground Zero that travels the country honoring those who died as a result of the attack.
Grand Destiny RVs of Elkhart County does not sponsor these events for owners but supports the 34 owner rallies held around the county and in Canada.
The largest is the National Rally, which will be held from Aug. 26-30 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana.
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The company outreach director, Emily Staley, said, "This community of owners is like none other. I have never seen owners come together the way Grand Design owners come together."
Grand Design RV is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winnebago Industries and Camping World, the world's largest recreational vehicle dealer.
— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com
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