Hello again 2017 GN Attendees,
This will be a rather lengthy document, but there’s lots of important information concerning the Grand National, so please read and save for future reference.
The New Orleans Grand National will have quite a few new activities and procedures that you’ll want to be aware of.
Preparing for the trip
- CTC Cares donations – Del Houser, chairman of the CTC Cares food drive, is challenging everyone to donate two cases of canned foods (in wrapped flats or boxes). Please read "CTC Cares" for more details. Starting Sept 18th, there will be a drop-off point on the lower level of the building.Those not wishing to deliver their donations themselves may place them on their site’s picnic table (weather permitting) prior to 10:00 each morning and they will be picked up by one of Del’s committee sometime that day.
- Groceries It is strongly suggested that you purchase your groceries and canned food donations for “CTC Cares” before arriving in New Orleans. If you do have to purchase groceries or sundry items while at the campground, we strongly recommend going to nearby Rouses Market which is in a “comfortable” neighborhood. There will be directions in your arrival packet.
- The Sunday Night Ball - Although not required, we do ask that men wear long pants (no denim please) and collared shirts and women wear nice slacks, skirts, or dresses - out of respect for the presenters who will be in formal attire. Some members have told us that they also will be wearing more gayla (long gowns) attire for the event and that is great. IF you like to “gussy up”, this is the time to do it! This will be a fun and informative event hosted by Arthur Hardy, renowned historian. He will share the history, traditions and insider facts of Mardi Gras and then present the Krewe of Carrollton’s Royal Court. You won’t want to miss this event; be sure to bring your cameras. There will be Photo Ops afterward for you to have a friend take your photo with the court.
- Red Shirts Please bring your red shirts to wear to the WWII Museum and on Saturday for the annual meeting and chapter/club photos. For those of you that are new to the club, we welcome you no matter what you wear. It is club tradition to wear a red shirt (and white pants) to a couple of events - if you’d like to pick up a red polo shirt before the rally, that would be great. If you choose not to, we’ll love ya anyway!
- Rig Decorating Contest – Like to decorate? Be sure to decorate your rig for the “New Orleans/Mardi Gras” rig decorating contest. On Thursday night of the rally week (9/28) we'll have a walk-around vote where attendees can walk around the park and vote for their favorite decorated rig. The winner will receive a prize valued at over one hundred dollars!
If you can’t find décor in your neighborhood, there are several places in New Orleans where you can get lots of fun things to spruce up your rig. Plush Appeal (a short drive from the campground) is the place we visited while in New Orleans last May. Over a dozen of the Tennessee Travelers went there and had a ball shopping and laughing. It’s a fun place to visit and shop. If you are arriving early you’ll have plenty of time to go. We encourage everyone to participate in this fun addition to the rally.
- Rally Schedule: The itinerary has been printed on the tri-fold format that so many members prefer. Every rig will receive one printed copy of this in their arrival packet. Many folks also like to have a copy of the rally schedule on their smart phone, and we’ve made that very easy for you to do this year. Simply go to the CTC website, click on the button that says “2017 Grand National Itinerary”. This will take you to a copy of the schedule that’s quick to access and easy to read on your phone. There’s also a button on the schedule page to see more details on the seminars. Try it on your phone now.
If you prefer a “flat page” printed schedule or you simply wish to have additional printed copies, access the same page on your laptop and click on the printer icon that you see on the right-hand side of the page.You might want to do this now also.
Schedule changes, updates, etc. Stuff happens. Things change. As frustrating as it is, we know there will be things that change. We will notify attendees via this forum (which you receive as an email) when changes occur. While at the rally, please check your email periodically during the day to get the latest changes or updates. We will also update the online schedule, so keep an eye on that. There will be announcements at dinner, but for some changes this will be too late.
Some fun new things!
- Table Hosts - New this year will be “Table Hosts”. Each table will have a host/hostess couple that will be collecting your seat assignment cards. Be sure to give these cards to your table host as we will be reusing them each night. The table hosts will be assisting you with any issues or questions you might have. They will also be responsible for cleaning their tables after all meals and events.
- Silent Auctions – In addition to the traditional raffle table items, there will be several higher value items that will be auctioned off via silent auctions.Two will be “sealed bid” auctions and the others will be “clipboard” auctions. Checks and credit card payments will be accepted from the winners.
- Special “Seminar Attendance” door prize. A really nice prize will be awarded to the winner of this special drawing. Tickets cannot be purchased for this drawing. You will be given a two-part ticket (just like 50/50 drawings) at the end of each seminar you attend. Keep half the ticket and place the other half in “the bucket” at each seminar and at the DRV rigs on display in the park. Please support the vendors that support our rally by attending their seminars and visiting the DRV rigs on display. You’ll get more chances to win this prize with each ticket you acquire.
- Private one-on-one smart phone consultations. Chris and Jim Guld of “Geeks on Tour” will be hosting 4 seminars during the rally including their famous “What does this Button Do” class. Be sure to read the Vendor Seminars document for details. They will have sign-up sheets at their seminars for the consultations. It’s all included in your rally fee.
- The Vendor Hospitality Room – There will be a special area designated for our supporting vendors to relax, have a snack, and visit with clients that are interested in their products. Please note, the space (and the snacks) are for vendors. If you have questions about their products, by all means do visit them in the hospitality room. Please do not eat their snacks or use the room as a “hang out”.
- Special Entertainment - You'll experience the New Orleans culture at every event, from the Ball to the Jazz Band, to the Mardi Gras Indians, to the Cajun/Zydeco band and dancers . . . we've got it covered. Be sure to BRING YOUR CAMERAS to all events.
Don't forget, we've ended up with a few rally openings, so if you have an RVing friend you'd like to bring, it's not too late. Just contact Terry Roberts for details at twrjdr@yahoo.com or call him at 941.932.6396
We hope everyone has a fun, memorable time during the 2017 Grand National Rally.
Your 2017 Grand National Rally Committee