Hoverally 2010 at Big Spring,
TN- Sept 24-26 , 2010
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.
Hoverally Entry fee
Cost
Club members (per Hovercraft)
$35
Non-members without a Hovercraft
$5
"Sock It To The Clock" Challenge
Free
Camping fees
Cost
RV camping with electric and
water hookup
$20/night
Tent Camping
$8/night
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.