Over 2,500 motor home families set up camp on University grounds to have some fun and learn a little something on the way.
The University is hosting The Family Motor Coach Association’s semi-annual International Convention. Dubbed ‘The Bowling Green Bash,’ it is the FMCA’s 82nd International Convention and first time in Bowling Green.
The convention, which began on Monday, is taking place all around campus, offering a number of activities and exhibitions until Thursday, July 23. The Wood County Fairgrounds are also being utilized for parking of motor homes, with buses shuttling patrons back and forth.
An estimated 2,600 motor homes are in attendance, according to Connie Pool, FMCA national president. Over 5,000 patrons gathered on University grounds for the purpose of catching up with old friends and enhancing their knowledge about the motor coach lifestyle.
‘Camaraderie is such a big part of the organization and our conventions really enhance that,’ said Robbin Gould, FMCA spokesperson.
The Bowen-Thompson Student Union is hosting over 130 seminars covering 160 topics in the RV spectrum. Seminar topics range from motor home maintenance to convection oven cooking to computer seminars. A large exhibition of motor home accessories will be held in the Perry Field House. One of the more popular aspects of the convention is the motor home exhibit, displaying 2009 and 2010 motor homes, is located outside, adjacent to the Perry Field House.
Aside from the technical aspect of the convention, many longtime FMCA members gather to have fun and catch up with old friends. A variety of entertainment is available throughout the week for FMCA members. Daytime entertainment includes an assortment of one to two member acts traveling around campus. Nighttime entertainment is scheduled at the stadium, the main event being country singer Lorrie Morgan on Wednesday night. Additionally, the University Brass Ensemble will be performing.
Corinn Shemak, coordinator of event services, said at least 100 University staff members went into the planning of this event, and over 100 more University students are working on set-up, tear-down and traffic direction. The event is also being coordinated by over 500 FMCA members, mostly volunteer, according to Gould.
Robbin Gould, FMCA spokesperson, said there are a number of criteria required for the convention.”Among other accommodations the University offers, it was chosen for this event because of its large parking accommodations for the motor homes, area for indoor and outdoor exhibits, and grand stand.
Planning for this event began over two years ago, when a group of ‘site selection’ specialists from the FMCA visited campus to find that it had the appropriate amenities for an event of this stature, according to Gould.
‘[The convention] absolutely brings a lot of attention to the city [Bowling Green],’ Shemak said. It is estimated that the presence of the FMCA members generates around $15 million in business.
Most FMCA members will be packing up and vacating campus the morning of Friday, July 24th.
Community members and students who wish to participate in the convention activities can do so for $7 a day, or $5 for patrons who bring a canned or nonperishable food item to be donated to the Bowling Green Food Pantry. A Daily Passport, which grants access to all exhibits, seminars, and entertainment, is available for $55 per day.
