Shanty Shakers: Escapades in Tucson

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Escapades in Tucson

Our first gathering was at Hot Rods in Old Vail. Thanks to Brian and Barbara Downing for finding this ideal boondocking lot and restaurant for Thursday night. Fifteen of us gathered for dinner and a lot of catching up with our fellow travelers.

Five rigs (Nadine Curry, Bob and Dianna Simons, Brian and Barbara Downing, Wayne and Lynn Selden, Mike and Marcy Parker) spent the night there and one joined us (Richard and Shirley Melendez) in the morning to caravan to the Fairgrounds 3 miles away. By the way, that day was St Patrick's Day so Bob and Diane surprised us with green donuts with green frosting. Bob looked dapper in his decorative hat.

All did not go smoothly on departure as the Seldens rig refused to start despite jumping it then putting in a brand new battery. Eventually, they joined the group thanks to the extremely helpful Awesome Parking Team, especially Lloyd who reserved our group area.

We had an impromptu Happy Hour until the sun went down and the wind picked up. Wind was a problem on and off all week.

Saturday was a big parking day as more and more rigs came in including Ron and Elaine Guidotti. Members walked over to Registration to get name badges, T shirts and a bag of goodies. Some enjoyed coffee and donuts in the Hospitality area or a Breakfast Burrito from the Food Truck.

The Vendor Fair and The Row (of Chapters and BOFs) opened on Sunday.

Wendy (L) is the new Chapter Director. Jan (R) volunteered to act as Seminar Hos

After the Opening Ceremony we celebrated the 45th anniversary of Escapees with cupcakes.

Kay and Joe Peterson, Founders

There was another general session in the evening with door prizes followed by entertainment. No big winners from our group. 😒

We got really busy on Monday with seminars all day and shopping. Several Chapter Members volunteered to be on the Escapade "staff". Larry and Sandy Rice were Seminar hosts.

Marty and Peggy McCauley were at the Registration table as they have for the last 15 years. Wow !

Others performed volunteer activities such as Ron G on Security duty. Barbara Lukehart worked on Transportation as Frank made popcorn. Many thanks to all the Volunteers ! (sorry if I missed you)

Chapter Members did their best to support the Vendors 😉

More prizes were given away on Monday evening during the General Session. Larry R won a bottle of wine. 🍷Hope they enjoyed it as they earned it ! The evening entertainment was Native Spirit, who led us into the culture and dances of America's First People.

Now, about the weather. It didn't seem like the Arizona we have come to expect. Throughout the time there, we experienced some warm sun, but more cold cloudy days and wicked winds. The unpredictable weather made it difficult to plan Happy Hours or Pot Lucks. The 20 Shanty Shaker rigs in attendance were scattered throughout the Fairground so we had to find a way to gather. What is an event without a Pot Luck ? Thanks to Sandy for making it happen.

It was a busy but fun week. Escapees developed an app for the Escapade event. There was a place to upload pictures to share. Over 1400 pictures were posted to the app. So, between the app and the chapter members who submitted pictures, it was overwhelming to decide what to post. But, here we go !