Escapees Celebrates Four Decades of Serving RVers 1

Escapees Celebrates Four Decades of Serving RVers

As 58th Escapade closes, club looks forward to a year of celebration

LIVINGSTON, Texas- June 2018

The 58th Escapade of Escapees RV Club came to an end on June 1st. The annual event hosted 657 rigs and 1281 attendees, and those who made the trek to Missouri came away with a stronger sense of community and a deeper understanding of what makes Escapees special.

Each day started with coffee and donuts in the hospitality building, where attendees consumed a total of 150 gallons of coffee and more than 1600 donuts over the five-day event. This casual start to the day provided the opportunity to review the day’s events, strike up conversation with tablemates, and reflect on the prior day’s experiences. There were numerous socials each day, encouraging attendees to meet new RVing friends and learn more about each other. In memory of Joe and Kay Peterson, the club’s co-founders, the hospitality area was also home to a display of Escapees history, highlighting both the fun activities and the tougher trials of the club. Members were encouraged to leave notes recalling memories with the Petersons, thoughts about the club, and hopes for the next generation of RVers. Many members took advantage of the opportunity.

“Kay and Joe Peterson, our wonderful club founders, were very special people whose vision was ahead of its time… THANK YOU to all club members, past, present, future, for keeping Kay and Joe’s vision and principles, and protecting their legacy always.” Gabriella Selm, SKP# 72160

“Dear Escapees RV Club, you have changed my like and my future! The joy and freedom I feel being here in Sedalia, MO at the 58th Escapade and the RV Boot Camp I’m unable to fully explain!” Rose Anderson, SKP # 142243

With an average of 20 different seminars each day, covering subjects like RV safety products, bucket list adventures, solar power for RVs, budgeting, domicile concerns, and more, there was no shortage of educational opportunities from marketplace exhibitors and experienced RVers. Even the kids got involved, with 40 Kidscapade attendees learning about the Oregon Trail through hands-on activities and interactions. Attendees were offered the opportunity to educate the RV industry, too, through focus groups and workshops with manufacturers and support services.

Though each evening offered entertainment options, the highlight of the week was the street festival and fireworks show to celebrate the club’s 40th anniversary. Foot traffic crowded the streets of Missouri State Fairgrounds as Escapees members indulged in locally sourced food, beer, and wine, and enjoyed the live performance of Twisted Fate, a Sedalia-based classic rock band. Emotions were high as members filled the stands to watch an explosion of fireworks, kicking off a year of celebrating, appreciating, and remembering the 40-year history of Escapees RV Club. Though the club’s founders have now passed on, it is the strength of the Escapees community that will carry it into the next forty years.

To learn more about the history of Escapees RV Club and it’s members, visit escapees.com or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/escapeesrvclub.

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President Emeritus Cathie Carr raises a toast to the club’s 40th anniversary, thanking the members who helped make it happen and expressing hope for the next generation of RVers. Background, L to R: Travis Carr, President, Melanie Carr, Vice- President, Shawn Loring, CEO, Jean Mathes, Escapade Co-Director, and behind Cathie, Duane Mathes, Escapade Co- Director.

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Xscapers members Jeff Spencer, Deb Spencer and Carolyn Karstens chat and laugh during the Xscapers social on Sunday, May 27.

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Escapade Co-Director, Jean Mathes, has fun with the volunteers during the swag bag stuffing party held prior to Escapade’s kick-off.

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Club members gather to share their experiences in full-time RVing with interested attendees during one of the Escapade seminars. Panel members, L to R: Dave and Brenda Neil, full-timers of 26 years, Dustin and Jill Denkins, leaders of Fulltime Families and full-timers of 5 years, and Nancy and Jim Tidball, full-timers of 11 years. The panel discussion was moderated by Mark Nemeth, far left.

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Famed storyteller, Bil Lepp, entertains attendees with his tall tales and comedy. Throughout the week, other evening entertainment included performances by Reza, the annual talent show Escapade’s Got Talent, and a street festival with local food, beer, wine, and music.