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was_butnotnow's avatar
was_butnotnow
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015

Quartzsite snowbirds not here..Update They have arrived.

OK just a few days before the Big Tent Show opens on Jan 17 (updated) AND the BLM and RV parks are very very shy of RVers. Not just shy but mostly empty as in vast open spaces where in past years would be wall to wall with RVs. So if you are thnking about coming to Q for the shows come on over as this place is empty. The venders are here big time but no customers. Even Rice Ranch across form the tent show is mostly empty.
Now if the RVs pull in for the show week they can to do it now as there is no backup at the BLM entrance stations.
Now we wish the venders well but this is much different from years past.
We hve come to Q for many years and the talk of the town is always are they going to come back again this year.
In the past they always have but this is very much different as it is Tuesday night and the show opens on Thursday.
Guess we can go to the show on opening day or the next day without a parking problem.
Even in the past we couild find a parking site right at the tent in the afternoon after a day or so from opening day when people got tired and left for the day. Go about 2-3 pm and parking on site is open.
Anyway it's fun to be in Quartzsite this time of year as we come here not so much for the venders and shows but for the Quartzsite Gem and Mineral Club.
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  • PatStab's avatar
    PatStab
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    I think many younger folks just don't have the money. You need good jobs with security, union wages, pensions, etc to afford to travel and have leisure. Also a lot of folks are dying off or getting to old to travel that were in those kinds of jobs. It's a different world for many younger folks anymore.
    DD and I came out last year, it was neat but nothing I would drive across the US to see annually. We are in Texas now and in March heading for Florida.
  • Escargot's avatar
    Escargot
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    I intend to arrive on Thursday for an annual Quartzsite rally hosted by a chapter of one of national organizations of which I am a member.

    Although I'm retired now (Yay me!) I won't be staying beyond the weekend. The rally is the only reason I go to Quartzsite.

    Through these boards I've learned that Yuma is the new Quartzsite in terms of Big Tent and vendors. Not sure the reason(s).
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2015
    OK is two days before the Big Tent Show opens on Jan 15 AND the BLM and RV parks are very very shy of RVers. Not just shy but mostly empty as in vast open spaces where in past years would be wall to wall with RVs.


    The decline has been going on for some time. It is not just happening this year. Maybe more will come in the next week. I suspect there are many reasons including the event losing some of its luster. Probably the recession didn't help either.

    It is not just Quartzsite, other places that once were packed with snowbirds are not as busy this year. Years ago Airstream rallys were well attended and many traveled a significant number of miles to attend the various rallys held by the different Wally Byam regional clubs. Today the rallys are a shell of their former self as to attendance.

    Maybe it is a new generation getting into RVing and their priorities are different than the previous generation. Perhaps spending a few days seeing the big tent show at Q and then moving on is now more important than spending weeks or months boondocking in the desert, making friends, and becoming part of the social fabric that looks forward to next year doing it all over again.
  • hotjag1's avatar
    hotjag1
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2015
    We are going to be arriving there Friday morning. If the crowds are down a bit, it will make getting around a little easier. I bet it will still be pretty crowded though.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    rjxj wrote:
    Why do you think this has happened? I plan on coming out there next year for our first time. Has there been an increase in crime? I hear about people having generators stolen etc.


    Crime is isolated cases. Any time you camp in campgrounds in todays world you have to becareful of theft. Not any different in any other place you camp.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    I thought the RV show started on the 17th of Jan. Have the dates changed? I suspect you will see things change Sat morning. :B
  • Nutinelse2do's avatar
    Nutinelse2do
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    In the early 2000's, the desert was covered with rv's as far as the eye could see in Q, far off into the horizon.
    The stock market/ housing crash hit a lot of folks really hard, and we watched it go from packed for a month and a half, to practically deserted, overnight.
    I think it is a combination of health and wealth that is effecting it. It never really recovered after 2008. Could be people are older and not as healthy, so not willing or able to book dock, don't like the crowds, too much noise, too much of a hassle with traffic and parking, been there, done that, can't afford to go, etc.
    JMO
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    Why do you think this has happened? I plan on coming out there next year for our first time. Has there been an increase in crime? I hear about people having generators stolen etc.

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