Quartzsite snowbirds not here..Update They have arrived.

[was_butnotnow]

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.

[QuartzsiteRain]

The BIG TENT AKA The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show is JAN. 17 - 25. See their website, http://www.quartzsitervshow.com/rv/rv-general-info/

TYSON WELLS SELL-A-RAMA starts Jan. 15. Other Shows and Swap meets are now open!

[Not_a_Clue]

We will be heading out on Jan 22nd to stay the weekend at Rice Ranch. Still work for a living.

[John___Angela]

A couple years ago it would have been blamed on fuel prices. Guess we can take that one out of there.

I think more people are finding Ebay a little more convenient. :). Same stuff. Arrives at the door.

Having said that we enjoyed the years we have gone and stayed for a few days.

[rocmoc]

Could be our weather this year, even tho it is better than most of the States. The weather has been either very cold, very wet or very warm; very little moderate weather. Today Tucson was fogged-in which never happens & there was snow a few weeks ago!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[tuna_fisher]

Was thinking of going over for the day, short drive for us. Checked the Super 8 for 1 night and they want $145 for a room. That sounds like everything is ok there with a rate like that. Not for us, way to much. That's about twice as much as normal.

[amandasgramma]

We're at LaPosa south and we've noticed there's not nearly as many as last year. And each year there are less and less people. STILL crowded down on "vendor row". 🙂 I feel for the vendors because they're being charged big bucks to have booths here....especially the ones on the "big tent" side. I thought maybe it would be MORE crowded this year, because the fuel prices are down. 😞 😞

[mpierce]

Just arrived yesterday. We are at a Bluebird Wanderlodge get together at South. More of us arriving daily, have 131 registered to boondocks here together.

[WyoTraveler]

A little off subject but I have often wondered why RVers pay to park, pay an entrance fee, also a possible club fee to receive advertisement from companies that inflate prices and then send you more trash mail. Of coarse last I heard Quartzsite RV show is free. Suspect that is why it is so crowded. I have always liked Quartzsite because it has been free and free to boondock.

[midnightsadie]

like everything ,time changes things. I,ve been to Q and nothing there to bring me back. think I,ll try yuma.

[dahkota]

We are 'younger.' To be honest, going to an extremely crowded location to see stuff we can find on the internet is really unappealing. It really has nothing to do with money and everything to do with too many people.

Years ago, an event like Quartzite was necessary for both vendors and customers; now, not so much. For younger generations raised with the internet, instant information, and online shopping, what does Quartzite offer?

[SCVJeff]

You should check on union wages these days... This ain't 1960 anymore..

OP-wait till Friday and duck. That when most of the crowd starts arriving

[PatStab]

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]

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]

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]

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.