JUST THE FACTS AND NOTHING BUT
Chevy Avalanche Fan Club of North America
First Annual North American Meet
Thrills In The Black Hills
Rapid City, South Dakota
July 21, 2003 to July 25, 2003
First Annual North American Meet
Thrills In The Black Hills
Rapid City, South Dakota
July 21, 2003 to July 25, 2003
Venue: ?Not decided at this time HOWEVER we are leaning strongly to the Best Western Ramkota Conference Center in Rapid City, South Dakota off of Interstate 90.
Activities Calendar:
Monday, July 21, 2003:
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: ?Early registration.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: ?Unofficial social
Tuesday, July 22, 2003:
7:00 AM ? 9:00 AM: ?Registration at the conference center.
8:30 AM ? 10:00 AM: ?Welcome breakfast at the conference center.
There will be a brief safety briefing and speeches from key club members and HOPEFULLY from General Motors welcoming members to the event as well as the area Chamber of Commerce or tourism board.
10:30 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Cruise to Badlands National Park.
Members will cruise east out to Interior and spend the better part of the day at Badlands National Park. ?Members will be taken into little known areas of the park. ?Four-wheel drive is not required if the weather is good, but would be recommended. ?If the weather is bad four-wheel drive will be REQUIRED. ?Highlights will include visiting many places where Dances With Wolves was filmed, getting up close and very personal with bison and visiting a huge prairie dog town. ?This is good for those who want a mostly on the road with some rough condition driving.
10:30 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Cruise to Devils Tower National Monument.
Members will cruise west out to world famous Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming on the western edge of the Black Hills. ?The cruise will take members to the tower itself and include a 3.8 mile hike on the Red Beds Trail as well as a visit to the local Prairie Dog town. ?Four-wheel drive will NOT be required. ?The drive back will include a tour of scenic Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota. ?This is good for those who want a mainly outdoor experience.
10:30 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Cruise to Deadwood, South Dakota for a historical tour.
This would include a visit to the local wax museum, which although a little cheesy offers an outstanding history of the area, and portrays very accurately how the Sioux nation was treated. ?Then visitors will take the tram tour through town including a visit to Boot Hill, for a scenic view. ?Lunch will be eaten in town and visitors will explore the Broken Boot gold mine followed by panning for gold. ?This is a good experience for families and children.
4:00 PM ? 6:00 PM: ?Registration at the conference center.
5:30 PM ? 10:00 PM: ?Attend a cowboy supper with show and lumber jack demonstration.
This is a good family friendly activity. ?After dinner head out to Mount Rushmore to see the evening lighting ceremony.
6:30 PM - 12:00 MIDNIGHT: ?Visit Deadwood, South Dakota for a night of gambling at a number of available casinos. ?Good fun for the adults.
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM: ?Visit Wall, South Dakota and see Wall Drug.
Ya, it's a tourist trap but it's a must see tourist trap! ?This will include a drive into Badlands National Park to visit Sea Beds Jungle to watch the sunset, weather permitting.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003:
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: ?Registration at the conference center.
9:00 AM ? 6:00 PM: ?Caving tour of the Black Hills.
Members will visit Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park to attend caving tours at both locations. ?Visit will also include some hiking at Wind Cave National Park. ?This is an excellent event for those seeking outdoor adventure.
9:30 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Cruise to Badlands National Park.
Members will cruise east out to Interior and spend the better part of the day at Badlands National Park. ?Members will be taken into little known areas of the park. ?Four-wheel drive is not required if the weather is good, but would be recommended. ?If the weather is bad four-wheel drive will be REQUIRED. ?Highlights will include visiting many places where Dances With Wolves was filmed, getting up close and very personal with bison and visiting a huge prairie dog town. ?This is good for those who want a mostly on the road with some rough condition driving.
10:00 AM ? 6:00 PM: ?Cruise through the Black Hills.
This cruise will take visitors too some of the best places to visit the Black Hills.
The tour will include the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, where you can see bison and burros are sure to come right up to your Avalanche. ?This will be followed with a drive south to Hot Springs, South Dakota to take a plunge at the nations largest indoor/outdoor pool - heated naturally to 87 degrees year round. Then it's back through Custer State Park and a drive down the Needles Highway with visits to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. This is good for families and those who want a lazy day.
8:30 AM ? 6:00 PM: ?History of the Sioux tour.
The Black Hills of South Dakota are considered sacred by the Sioux Nation and the various tribes it represents. ?The tour will include visits to little seen areas including locations in Badlands National Park, Stronghold Table, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and Wounded Knee. ?You?ll retrace the last steps of the Sioux in the winter of 1890 leading up to the Massacre at Wounded Knee. ?This will be guided by members of the Lakota Sioux who live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. ?Four-wheel drive and a waiver of liability will be REQUIRED for this tour to reach some of the areas, including Stronghold Table which requires prairie driving and will take you across a former bombing range. ?Yes ? there is still live munitions out there.
11:00 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Four-wheel drive school and tour.
A qualified instructor and guides will run a four-wheel drive school and then a four-wheel drive tour to follow. ?The location is to be determined.
5:00 PM ? 7:00 PM: ?Registration at the conference center.
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM: ?Visit Wall, South Dakota and see Wall Drug.
Ya, it's a tourist trap but it's a must see tourist trap! ?This will be the "big cruise" of as many Avalanches as we can get. ?This is because most of the drive is down Interstate 90, lots of visibility without huge logistical problems. ?Hey, how else you going to organize 100 plus Avalanches! ?Club members will be able to fan out and eat at a number of locations in Wall, or can elect to eat at Wall Drug.
9:00 PM - 1:00 AM: Star Gazing at Badlands National Park.
The moon won't be up and the sky will be blacker than you can imagine. The sky in South Dakota on a clear night is one of the most incredible things you can see. A mosaic of stars, planets, and if you're patient a meteor or two will be seen. Well get a guide and find a dark, out of the way place away from city, street, and highway lights. Bring a telescope - you won't regret it!
Thursday, July 24, 2003:
7:00 AM ? 9:00 AM: ?Registration at the conference center.
9:00 AM ? 10:30 AM: ?A group breakfast at the conference center.
This will include speeches from vendors and hopefully from General Motors.
10:30 AM ? 4:30 PM: ?The Avalanche show and jamboree.
Avalanches will be on display for those wanting awards in the categories of best modifications, cleanest, most desired, etc. ?Also entries for longest drive, shortest drive, etc. will be accepted during this time. ?Hopefully we can get some of the key Avalanches like gandolphxx and flyinhigh to put on display for other Avalanche members. ?Not to mention the BamAlance and others. ?Also during this time and around our car show will be vendors booths with how-to sessions, product offerings, on the spot modifications, and local crafts for the spouses. ?Think a car show dedicated to the Avalanche that is family friendly. ?We?ll also try to beg, pretty, pretty, pretty please with the General to include an H2, an H2 SUT if available and the upcoming GMC with the midgate. ?I?m sure we could get some interest if we pull the right strings.
10:30 AM ? 11:30 AM: ?Break out sessions.
Several meetings will be held to discuss a number of different Avalanche issues. ?Session might include the future and vision of the Avalanche, problems and issues, modifications, and how to discussions for things like modifications, off-road driving, etc. ?Hopefully we can get General Motors representatives to attend some of these sessions to receive and provide feedback.
11:30 AM ? 12:30 PM: ?More break out sessions as above.
Same formats and topics. ?Again, hopefully so people can attend more than one if there is interest.
12:30 PM ? 2:30 PM: ?Avalanche club lunch.
Food and drink for all with good fun. ?Good time for those in attendance to go through and see the Avalanches on display, vote for their favorites, and meet their fellow members. ?Ya, they?ll be something for the kids too!
2:30 PM ? 4:00 PM: ?Games and fun to be determined.
Softball? ?Volleyball? ?Kickball? ?Frisbee? ?Water balloon fight? ?I don?t know we?ll figure something out!
2:30 PM ? 3:30 PM: ?More break out sessions.
Same as above and of course you can visit the display area of course. ?Get your last minute votes in by 3:00 PM on your favorite Avalanches.
3:30 PM ? 4:30 PM: ?Awards given out and speeches.
Again, hopefully we can get General Motors to make a statement. ?Also hopefully to get statements from Chief, gandolphxx and others. ?This will also be chance to get a group photograph of the attendees.
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Shopping trip at the Rapid City Mall.
Is all of this male bonding time and truck talk getting to you. Well grab the keys to the Avalanche and escape to the mall. Over 120 shops await for you to explore for a few hours of time away from the conference center and Avalanches.
6:30 PM ? 8:30 PM: ?Group dinner at the conference center featuring Native American dancers.
This will be a semi-formal event so bring that jacket and bring that dress. It's time to get dressed up.
8:30 PM ? 11:30 PM: ?Dancing and drinks at the conference center.
We MAY be able to offer two drinks and then cash bar after. ?There will be a DJ so members can have fun dancing the night away. ?We will also try to make some kind of day care arrangement so those with kids can have some fun.
Friday, July 25, 2003:
7:00 AM ? 9:00 AM: ?Better late than never registration at the conference center.
9:00 AM ? 6:00 PM: ?Caving tour of the Black Hills.
Members will visit Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park to attend caving tours at both locations. ?Visit will also include some hiking at Wind Cave National Park. ?This is an excellent event for those seeking outdoor adventure.
11:00 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Four-wheel drive school and tour.
A qualified instructor and guide will run a four-wheel drive school and then a four-wheel drive tour to follow. ?The location is to be determined.
9:30 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Cruise through the Black Hills.
The tour will include the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, where you can see bison and burros are sure to come right up to your Avalanche. This will be followed with a drive south to Hot Springs, South Dakota to take a plunge at the nations largest indoor/outdoor pool - heated naturally to 87 degrees year round. Then it's back through Custer State Park and a drive down the Needles Highway with visits to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. This is good for families and those who want a lazy day.
10:30 AM ? 5:30 PM: ?Cruise to Devils Tower National Monument.
Members will cruise west out to world famous Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming on the western edge of the Black Hills. ?The cruise will take members to the tower itself and include a 3.8 mile hike on the Red Beds Trail as well as a visit to the local Prairie Dog town. ?Four-wheel drive will NOT be required. ?The drive back will include a tour of scenic Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota. ?This is good for those who want a mainly outdoor experience.
6:30 PM ? 8:30 PM: ?A farewell dinner at a location to be determined.
PROJECTED SCHEDULE:
Early Registration For National Meet Starts: ?January 12, 2003
Normal Registration For National Meet: ?March 1, 2003
Late Registration For National Meet: ?June 1, 2003
Online Registration For National Meet Closed: ?June 20, 2003
Hotel Reservations At Discounted Rate: ?January 15, 2003 - May 31, 2003
Vendor Registration: ?January 15, 2003 - May 31, 2003
PROJECTED COSTS:
Hotel Room at Best Western Ramkota: ?$99 a night before tax, for 1 to 4 adults
Monday - Friday: ?$280 + $19.95 shipping & handling - this covers the cost of three people attending
Each additional person over 10 years of age: ?$70
Each additional person under 10 years of age: ?FREE
Monday - Friday, STUDENT RATE: ?$230 + $19.95 shipping & handling - this covers the cost of three people attending
Each additional person over 10 years of age: ?$55
Each additional person under 10 years of age: ?FREE
Monday - Friday, VOLUNTEER RATE: ?$210 + $19.95 shipping & handling - this covers the cost of three people attending
Each additional person over 10 years of age: ?$55
Each additional person under 10 years of age: ?FREE
Monday - Friday, VENDOR RATE: ?$180 + $19.95 shipping & handling - this covers the cost of three people attending
Each additional person over 10 years of age: ?$70*
Each additional person under 10 years of age: ?FREE ?
*Additional person rate applies ONLY to family members and not staff - if more than three staff members are attending than another $180 package will have to be purchased.
Tuesday ONLY: ?$45 per PERSON
Wednesday ONLY: ?$30 per AVALANCHE
Thursday ONLY WITHOUT DINNER: ?$55 per PERSON
Thursday ONLY WITH DINNER: ?$75 per PERSON
Friday ONLY: ?$30 per AVALANCHE
Vendor Booth 5' X 10': ?$100
Vendor Booth 10' X 10': ?$200
Vendor Booth 20' X 20': ?$325
Vendor Booth 40' X 20': ?$450
National Parks Pass: ?$50
