RV enthusiasts flock to Arizona for local balloon festival

A number of appreciation groups for old RVs gathered in Havasu, Arizona during January to take part in a Balloon Festival rally. The Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair took place at Lake Havasu Marina, lasting for a full weekend. A number of RV enthusiasts attended the festival, many among large groups. The Pacific Cruisers took along 35 coaches, with other groups travelling from as far away as Wyoming and Kansas City to spend time at the festival. The GMC coaches that feature among the enthusiasts were mainly produced during the mid-seventies, from 1973 to 1978. According to one member of the Pacific Cruisers, Ken Booth, the RVs from that period are superior to their successors in many ways. Booth added that people are generally fascinated by the GMC coaches driven along to the rallies, whereas the modern RVs don't attract as much attention. During the weekend, the group members spent time cooking using Dutch ovens with fire pits, discussing and comparing notes for the repair and maintenance of the vehicles. The year 2016 was the 6th annual hot air balloon festival at Havasu, with around 78 balloons taking part. A number of events took place, in addition to the hot air ballooning, including tethered balloon rides. During the weekend, balloon teams were available to provide information to those who had an interest, or even to get up close and feel the heat of the burners before lifting off into the sky. The RV enthusiasts combined their love of the coaches with the excitement of the balloon festival.