Members of Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), a Cincinnati-based organization for motorhome owners, will head to Wisconsin’s capital city at the end of July for a four-day event focusing on various aspects of their favorite form of travel. A small city on wheels will take shape as the owners of some 2,000 motorhomes converge on the Alliant Energy Center in Madison July 29 through August 1. During FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, which has been dubbed “Escape to Wisconsin,” attendees will participate in various activities designed to enhance the motorhome lifestyle.
School may be out for the summer, but learning opportunities will abound during the event in Madison. Organizers have scheduled more than 100 educational sessions aimed at helping motorhome owners glean more enjoyment from their RVs. Various RV experts will conduct seminars during the event. Topics range from motorhome chassis maintenance to microwave-convection cooking.
Attendees also will be able to tour motorhomes of all types, sizes, and price ranges as part of the Motorhome Showcase. Looking for a diesel-powered motorhome with all of the latest luxuries? Or maybe a van-chassis-based RV that provides all of the amenities needed to enjoy life on the road, but in a smaller package? Explore these options and everything in between as you consider what would best suit your travel style.
Other organized activities include tours of local attractions, fun-filled games, and musical performances each evening. And attendees will have time for plenty of socializing with their fellow motorhome owners.
Members of the general public are invited to join the fun. For those who want to view only the motorhome exhibition, admission costs $7 per day; children 12 and under are admitted free with an accompanying adult, as are those with an active military ID. Those who would prefer to take in the exhibits and also attend seminars and entertainment may purchase a Daily Passport, which is available for $75 per person ($65 for FMCA members).
Hours for viewing the exhibits are as follows: special viewing of motorhome exhibits only — Wednesday, July 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; regular hours for the motorhome displays will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, August 1. Components/accessories displays first open on Thursday, July 30, with hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. that day and on July 31 and August 1.
RV owners are invited to take part in all of the activities and also to bring their RV and stay with the rest of the group at Alliant Energy Center. Attendees may opt for 50-amp (limited) or 30-amp electric hookups, or may choose to rely on their motorhome’s onboard resources and “dry camp.” Potable water and dump station facilities are available at Alliant Energy Center, or roving trucks will provide these services for a fee to those who want to keep enjoying the activities and not stop for housekeeping issues.
The price for non-FMCA members is $265; this fee automatically grants the RV owner a one-year FMCA membership and/or a one-year subscription to Family Motor Coaching magazine. The FMCA member price is $215. (An additional fee is charged for electric.)
Attendees also will be able to tour motorhomes of all types, sizes, and price ranges as part of the Motorhome Showcase. Looking for a diesel-powered motorhome with all of the latest luxuries? Or maybe a van-chassis-based RV that provides all of the amenities needed to enjoy life on the road, but in a smaller package? Explore these options and everything in between as you consider what would best suit your travel style.
Other organized activities include tours of local attractions, fun-filled games, and musical performances each evening. And attendees will have time for plenty of socializing with their fellow motorhome owners.
Members of the general public are invited to join the fun. For those who want to view only the motorhome exhibition, admission costs $7 per day; children 12 and under are admitted free with an accompanying adult, as are those with an active military ID. Those who would prefer to take in the exhibits and also attend seminars and entertainment may purchase a Daily Passport, which is available for $75 per person ($65 for FMCA members).
Hours for viewing the exhibits are as follows: special viewing of motorhome exhibits only — Wednesday, July 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; regular hours for the motorhome displays will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, August 1. Components/accessories displays first open on Thursday, July 30, with hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. that day and on July 31 and August 1.
RV owners are invited to take part in all of the activities and also to bring their RV and stay with the rest of the group at Alliant Energy Center. Attendees may opt for 50-amp (limited) or 30-amp electric hookups, or may choose to rely on their motorhome’s onboard resources and “dry camp.” Potable water and dump station facilities are available at Alliant Energy Center, or roving trucks will provide these services for a fee to those who want to keep enjoying the activities and not stop for housekeeping issues.
The price for non-FMCA members is $265; this fee automatically grants the RV owner a one-year FMCA membership and/or a one-year subscription to Family Motor Coaching magazine. The FMCA member price is $215. (An additional fee is charged for electric.)
Traffic advisory information
Viewers/readers/listeners in Madison and surrounding areas will be witnessing evidence of this event. Tourist attractions, shopping areas, and gasoline stations should experience an influx. And motorists in the area might also notice a prevalence of motorhomes.
In fact, local residents are advised to avoid the area surrounding the Alliant Energy Center and Lake Farm Park between the hours of 7:00 a..m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28. In particular, on Monday and Tuesday, caravans — groups of motorhome owners traveling together — will be arriving at the fairgrounds via Olin Avenue.
During the event, coaches that are being taken out for test drives will be exiting onto Rusk Avenue. Drivers should exercise caution when traveling around that area from Wednesday, July 29, through Saturday, August 1.
At the close of the event, motorhome traffic will be leaving the site on Sunday, August 2, starting somewhere around 6:00 a.m., and local residents may wish to avoid these areas again between 6:00 a.m. and noon that day.
Typically, FMCA conventions attract significant media attention. An infinite number of lifestyle stories and a great deal of material related to contemporary motorhomes will be available. Media representatives are, of course, welcome to pursue any angle that they find interesting. However, for an overall orientation to the convention activities, FMCA encourages newspeople to request to speak with Robbin Gould upon arriving at the Alliant Energy Center, or to call ahead to establish a meeting time.
When arriving at the fairgrounds, please enter the Main Gate on Rimrock Road and follow signs to Lot E and the Exhibitor/Press registration office, where press credentials will be available.
One point of information: the official term for the type of vehicle in question is "motorhome" or "motor coach." These vehicles are not "mobile homes," nor are they campers, vans, or trailers. There is a definite distinction among these categories of vehicles.
You are welcome to stop by to witness the activities. Please call if any questions arise.
Viewers/readers/listeners in Madison and surrounding areas will be witnessing evidence of this event. Tourist attractions, shopping areas, and gasoline stations should experience an influx. And motorists in the area might also notice a prevalence of motorhomes.
In fact, local residents are advised to avoid the area surrounding the Alliant Energy Center and Lake Farm Park between the hours of 7:00 a..m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28. In particular, on Monday and Tuesday, caravans — groups of motorhome owners traveling together — will be arriving at the fairgrounds via Olin Avenue.
During the event, coaches that are being taken out for test drives will be exiting onto Rusk Avenue. Drivers should exercise caution when traveling around that area from Wednesday, July 29, through Saturday, August 1.
At the close of the event, motorhome traffic will be leaving the site on Sunday, August 2, starting somewhere around 6:00 a.m., and local residents may wish to avoid these areas again between 6:00 a.m. and noon that day.
Typically, FMCA conventions attract significant media attention. An infinite number of lifestyle stories and a great deal of material related to contemporary motorhomes will be available. Media representatives are, of course, welcome to pursue any angle that they find interesting. However, for an overall orientation to the convention activities, FMCA encourages newspeople to request to speak with Robbin Gould upon arriving at the Alliant Energy Center, or to call ahead to establish a meeting time.
When arriving at the fairgrounds, please enter the Main Gate on Rimrock Road and follow signs to Lot E and the Exhibitor/Press registration office, where press credentials will be available.
One point of information: the official term for the type of vehicle in question is "motorhome" or "motor coach." These vehicles are not "mobile homes," nor are they campers, vans, or trailers. There is a definite distinction among these categories of vehicles.
You are welcome to stop by to witness the activities. Please call if any questions arise.
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