The Goshen Rally---Day 10

Sunday saw many more of the coaches arriving. By the end of the day all but 12 had arrived. We opened the Information Center at noon so the attendees could pick up their rally packages, sign up for volunteer positions, sign up for next Wednesday evenings trip out to the Amish homes for dinner, etc. We also have some merchandise for sale: T-shirts with our Monaco America logo on them, cookbooks the ladies put together a couple of years ago, flags and coach plaques with our log. This is all handled in the Information Center. This is also where I've set up office to collect unpaid rally fees and fees from the various vendors that are here. This way I can also oversee the sales and keep track of the incoming funds. I have pretty much spent the last two days there.

The official start of the rally is not until Tuesday morning. Since we have so many folks coming in early at our rallies we have a pot luck dinner on the Sunday evening before the rally. Last night was no different. We had a fantastic meal last night. I am always amazed at pot luck dinners. No one really coordinates what anyone brings but there is always a good variety and plenty of food for everyone. Joanne made a delicious Waldorf Salad and her Upside Down Apple Pie. When all was done there was none of her pie left and very little of the salad.

Today the Information Center was open all day and we saw a lot of action. Most of the people made it in to pick up their rally package, which gives them all the info they will need this week, and to sign up to volunteer. Additionally, most of the vendors made it in to pay any fees they owe. Most sent in their rally vendor fees previously but we are also collecting the parking (camping) fees for the four nights of the rally from those that are staying here in their RV's. Any nights we were here early (prior to today) or that we stay after (after Thursday) are paid directly to the Fairgrounds Office. The parking fees for the four nights of the rally are included in the overall rally fees the attendees have paid. Since we get a good discount for the actual rally we let the vendors pay through us so they can get the same discount. At the end of the rally I'll then write one check to the Fairgrounds to cover every ones parking fees. We did get almost all the rest of the coaches parked today. At the close of the Information Center at 5:00 pm we only had two coaches who have not shown up yet.

Although the rally does not officially start until in the morning tonight we had our welcoming get together. This is a time that we all gather for light snacks and open bar. Everyone has a time to greet old friends, renew acquaintances and meet new people. Although this event was scheduled for an hour and a half it actually was longer. We left after about two hours and there were still people sitting around visiting with each other. So far everyone seems to be having a good time here in Goshen and it is shaping up to be a good rally.