September 24th-26th marks what has traditionally been the last get together for many hovercrafters before winter sets in. This year Hoverally comes to the Rural Retreat Campground in Big Spring, TN. This annual event is a very relaxed event with good cruising and good company. There is plenty of water to play in and if the water level is down a bit, there is delightful fun to be had on the mud flats across the river. This year, it will be a little more organized with more scheduled activities. Linda and Dave Braden are the proprietors and our hosts at the campground so stop by, say Hi and thank them for allowing us to bring Hoverally 2010 to their beautiful property.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, Sept 23rd:

6:00p.m. - Early bird BBQ
Noon – 6:00 p.m. Safety Checks
Noon – Dark- General Operation

Friday, Sept 24th:

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Safety Checks/Craft Inspections/Certifications
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. General Operation
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Quality Construction and Technical Innovation judging
8:00 p.m. - Slide show/Hovercraft movies

Saturday, Sept 25th:

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Breakfast Cruise to B&B Marina
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Cruise pilots meeting
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. National Cruise to Dayton, TN
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. "Sock It To The Clock" Challenge
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Community cookout/Awards banquet
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Hoverclub Annual Meeting
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hoverclub Auction

Sunday, Sept 26th:

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Devotional Breakfast
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Board of Directors meeting
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. General Operation
4:00 p.m. – Tear down and Departure

Hoverally fees

Club members - Please also have your annual membership dues up to date, or do so at registration.

National Cruise

The Cruise this year is organized by Harold Carter. There will be a Cruise Pilots meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. We will Leave at 11:00 a.m. for a 14 mile cruise to Dayton, and return by 3 p.m. Box lunches will be furnished for first 25 who register. We will line up a chase boat and have lunches delivered at the turnaround point. There is a little store at the turnaround where beverages may be puchased and a restroom is available. This cruise will of course be WEATHER PERMITTING which would include wind consideration.

Sock It To The Clock Challenge:

Printed rules available at registration. This is a timed challenge where you will operate your hovercraft over a marked out course and attempt to be the most consistent with your times. Participants can practice any time Friday or Saturday once the course has been set up. Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Quality Construction and Technical Innovation awards

Judging will take place on Friday and awards handed out to the winners on Saturday evening. This is an annual contest to determine who has the best quality constructed hovercraft, and who has demonstrated the most technical innovation in their hovercraft. HCA members who are unable to attend Hoverally, and wish to enter the Quality construction contest, may do so in absentia. Click here to download the entry form and instructions.

Saturday Morning Cruise to the B&B Marina

The B&B Marina opens for breakfast on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. in the summer. This is a fun short cruise about 5.5 miles each way. We will depart at 8:00 a.m. and return by 10:00 a.m. allowing time to refuel and attend the pilot's meeting for the National Cruise.

Watch a video compilation from 2008 at Big Springs.

Hovercraft Certification

There will be an opportunity to have your craft certified and inspected by the Hoverclub of America, with thrust tested and sound level checked also. Members will receive a certificate.

Hoverclub Auction

The auction helps raise money for the club and is made possible by the generous donations of its members. Plan now to attend and be a part of an event that promises to have you laughing and
wanting more. This year’s auction will be held in the tent following the annual meeting. Don’t forget to bring items that you would like to donate to the club’s auction. Oh yea,
bring a lot of money too. Remember, it goes to the benefit of the club, which helps to
promote your favorite sport and pastime. There are so many things that will make this
year’s Hoverally fun and exciting. Don’t miss it!

General Information

Lodging:
The closest town with name brand lodging and food is Cleveland Tennessee, about 16 miles from the campground. Contact the local Chamber of Commerce in Cleveland for a list of motels available. Camping ($8.00 per night) and RV spots with electric/water ($20.00 per night) are available on-site. Call ahead to reserve RV spots. (423) 334-3282

Meals:
The name brand fast food places plus Cracker Barrel, etc. are back in Cleveland. There is a place a couple of miles away where some go for breakfast and there is a restaurant in Decatur 11 miles NE.

Sat Evening meal: For the past several years, Linda Braden, our host, has orchestrated a great cookout for Saturday evening including grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings, salad, baked beans, etc. and a couple of big pans of her famous killer banana pudding. Those participating chip in $5 or a generous donation to cover expenses. On Saturday morning, some of the ladies will gather the neccesary groceries for the meal once we know how many will be joing us for the cookout.

Otherwise, bring what food and beverages you will need for the weekend and perhaps toss in a few extra for someone who may have forgotten to bring something. For the coffee drinkers, Linda graciously provides a big pot of brewed coffee each morning.

Evenings are spent around a big campfire hangar flying, socializing, and enjoying the outdoors. Bring marshmallows and coat hangers for the kids. We will be showing Hovercraft movies against the side of Kent's trailer.

For those tent camping:
One year it was 29 degrees in the morning so be prepared. Other years the kids are swimming in the lake. Be prepared for either unless you completely trust the weather report. Hot showers are available and there are electrical hookups. Bring your cords.

Clothing:
It could get nice enough for shorts and a t-shirt during the day. The evenings are brisk and overnight it can get very cold if you are in a tent on the ground. Jackets can feel really good while hovering on cool mornings and to wear in the evenings.

Location:
Rural Retreat Campground and RV Park
GPS coordinates: 35N22'57" x 84W54'22"
5584 State Hwy 58 South
Decatur, TN 37322

Directions:

For those with GPS/Satellite navigation - just type in the address:
5584 State Hwy 58 South, Decatur, TN. and follow the instructions.

For those who prefer to read maps - read on :)

From Chattanooga area take I-75 north to Cleveland, TN. Exit off on Hwy 60 (Exit #25). This exit ramp loops around 180 degrees therefore you will turn right on TN 60N.  Follow Hwy 60N northwest about 8 miles to intersection of Hwy 58 at the traffic light. A convenience store is on the right. Turn right on Hwy 58N and proceed northeast about 7 miles to the big wide bridge over the Hiawassee River. Proceed another 3/4 miles and look for Rural Retreat sign on right just past guardrail and a little mud flat or pond depending on water level. Go up the long driveway to the house and turn left in front of the house and you will see the campground & RV's.  

From Knoxville on I-75, take the Calhoun/County Road 163 exit #36 and turn right. (Don’t turn left but if you did, this would be 163). You will be on Lamontville Road which later becomes Big Spring-Calhoun Road. Proceed about nine miles to stop sign and turn left on TN 58. There is an old store building on the left. This is the little dot on the map which is what there is of beautiful downtown Big Spring. Go SW down 58 (towards Chattanooga) about one mile and be looking for the Rural Retreat sign on the left and follow directions in last sentence above paragraph.

Maps:

View Rural Retreat Campground in a larger map
Click here for a variety of maps.

  For more information please contact the event organizers:

Contact Linda or Dave Braden at the Rural Retreat Campground (423) 334-3282

To view previous Big Spring event highlights click here .