Bangor Camping and RV Show cancelled

Though many of the nation's economists and some politicians--especially those in the current administration--are proclaiming the recession over and declaring that we are now in the recovery period, you won't convince the promoters of the Bangor, Maine Camping and RV Show.

After 24 years, the 25th Bangor Camping and RV Show scheduled for this weekend at the Bangor Civic Center has been canceled due to lack of interest from vendors, according to Bass Park Director Mike Dyer.

The event, which is organized by Bass Park and Civic Center staff, has been held every year since 1986. Dyer explained, however, that in order to fill the space at the Civic Center, at least three large vendors are needed. This year, only two had committed.

“It actually goes back to last year when dealers lost some of their co-op money [from RV manufacturers] to participate in the show,” Dyer said. “Last year, we cut the amount of rental space in half with the thought that something was better than nothing. This year, we were going to proceed that same way, but it didn’t happen.”

“Rather than attempting to deliver a sub par show, with fewer options for the show attendees, management has opted to take a year off,” Dyer said in a statement on Bass Park’s Web site. “It is our intention to come back in 2011 in an improved economy, stronger than ever.”

Pennsylvania RV and camping guide now available

The Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association (PRVCA) has released the 2010 edition of Explore Pennsylvania. This edition features information on the “green” RV scene, how to RV like royalty at today’s RV campground resorts, where to stop and see the animals and many more details to help plan your next Pennsylvania RV adventure.

This guide contains a PRVCA membership directory connecting readers to campgrounds, dealers, suppliers, manufacturers and other services. Some 75,000 copies of Explore Pennsylvania will be distributed at over 40 RV shows throughout the East Coast including America’s Largest RV Show, held in Hershey.

The magazine can also be viewed online at prvca.org, at member locations, at welcome centers along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the RV Hall of Fame and various retail outlets in Central PA.

If you would like to receive your free copy and discover the wonders of RVing in Pennsylvania, call the PRVCA office at 888-303-2887.

Looking For a Little Adventure – Try a Georgia Backpacking Clinic

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will be offering overnight backpacking clinics most Saturday to Sunday’s from March 13th to November 7th this year. The overnight trips depart at 2pm from Panola Mountain State Park.

This over-night guided trip will take you to breathtaking vistas, pine savannahs, hardwood bottomlands and water crossings. The five-mile hike will include tracking skills, wilderness survival skills, useful plants, a night hike and hands on experience with backpacking skills for the new and well-seasoned backpackers. Backpackers must supply their own gear. Trips depart from the nature center. They recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program and you must register in advance by calling 1- 770-389-7801. The cost is $30 plus $5 for parking.

Panola Mountain State Park is just 18 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia on Highway 155. This unusual park was created to protect a 100-acre granite monadnock (mountain) often compared to Stone Mountain and Arabia Mountain. Minimally developed, Panola Mountain shelters rare plants of the Piedmont region.

While the park does not have a campground the Atlanta South RV Resort is nearby and bills itself as one of the finest RV resorts in the South.

Image: Spring flowers at Panola State Park