Florida Horse Park Hosts RV Show
FRVTA Puts On The Ocala RV Show Containing All The Normal Tradeshow Affairs, But Also Giving A Glimpse Into The World of Horse Eventing
RV shows at America's horse parks provide both adults and children with a chance to see something more than wonderful new recreational vehicles, campers, new RV products and fun camping gear. They also provide a glimpse into the world of horse eventing where there are horse shows, dressage, cross-country events, point-to-point races, and all things 'horsey' during equine events.
Such a venue is the site of the upcoming 2018 Ocala RV Show sponsored by Region 7 of the Florida RV Trade Association, (FRVTA), along with the chance to see what new RV and camping units Northwest Florida Region 7 RV dealers have to offer. Show visitors can enjoy the unique amenities at the Florida Agricultural Center and Horse Park at 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala, Fla., 34480. Events at the 500-acre horse park include, not only equestrian activities and recreational vehicle shows, but a wide variety of popular events, including educational and other sporting events ranging from 5-K runs and a wide variety of sports competitions, to boat shows and more.
“Ocala is host to the largest RV Show in Central Florida,” says Dave Kelly, FRVTA's marketing director, “Not only do we have RV's on display, there will be everything from the smallest folding tent camper to the largest motorhomes on the market.” He also adds, “There will be representatives from campgrounds, camping clubs, RV resorts, RV financing and RV insurance companies.”
FRVTA's Kelly also reports that RV dealers in his area, along with dealers in Southeast Florida, and throughout the country, are enjoying the RV revival after experiencing the Great Depression of 2008 when shipments plunged more than 46%. Since 2010, Kelly adds, “The economy has recovered, with discretionary spending revived."
“At the same time,” he stresses, “Prices on RV's have only increased at an annual rate of about two percent since 2007.” Florida's RV Trade Association is composed of seven regional groups, including Northwest Florida's Region 7, hosts of the Ocala RV Show. FRVTA's purpose is to “Lead, educate, promote and protect the general welfare of the RV industry in Florida,” explains Kelly. FRVTA's Ocala RV Show show this year will feature FRVTA member dealers from a wide area in Florida and will include participation by Alliance Coach & RV Services, Arrow RV, Campers Inn of Leesburg, Camping World RV Sales, Como RV, JD Sanders, Inc., Lazyday's RV, Nature Coast RV, Optimum RV, Sunshine State RV, and Tri-Am RV Center.
Speaking for Campers Inn of Leesburg is Diane Holston, the sales manager. She says, “[We] are centrally located 45 minutes north of Orlando and just 30 minutes from Ocala, which is second only to Louisville, Ky., for horse farms and thoroughbred racing.”
The Ocala RV Show show hours will be Thursday (March 1) through Saturday (March 4), from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and on Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adult admission: $5, children 16 and under, free. BOGO admission will be offered only on Thursday. Military and First Responders will receive $2 off admission charges all days of the show, not valid with other discounts. Pets will be welcomed if leashed, or in a carrier. Parking is free. Door prizes will be two daily $100 gift cards. Overnight parking is available in the Florida Horse Park's RV area.
Emily Holmes, events director at Ocala's Florida Horse Park says, “We have 38 RV hookups total. Each RV hook-up has one 30 amp and one 50 amp electric plugs, with water hook-ups.” She notes what while there is no dump site at the park, they have a porta-potty service that will pump out RV's for a small fee of less than $30. "We have a permanent bathhouse with mens and ladies restrooms, as well as multiple showers." The Florida Horse Park is also an agricultural education and event facility where many types of events take place, from 5-K runs to agricultural seminars and workshops and all kinds of educational events.
Besides a stay at the Florida Agricultural Center and Horse Park's RV accommodations, you are invited to stay a night, or a lifetime, at Ocala Sun RV Resort, located at 2559 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Fla., 34473. A Good Sam park, discount prices are available to the RV club members. The usual rate is $47 during winter and $37 per night during summer for full hook-ups with 50-amp electric service and spacious lots that can handle larger rigs. Sun RV Resort's clubhouse has just been renovated and expanded with “sparkling clean restrooms and showers,” a new kitchen and community room with many park activities. Contact Sun RV Resort for blackout months, special rates and other information at their website.
Yet another local camping experience awaits at RV Camp Ocala, yet another Good Sam park, at 3200 SW 38th Ave., Ocala, Fla., 34474, where spacious grassy sites offer 35/50-amp electric services with water and sewer. RV Camp Ocala invites you to explore Florida's horse country, while enjoying pet friendly camping in shady spots, or a stay in the camp's log cabins situated next to scenic ponds that attract ducks, and birds of all kinds. For information, visit rvcampocala.com.
Be sure to visit Downtown Ocala which offers fine dining, entertainment, shopping, and browsing through art and history. Once called Ocali by the Timucuan Indians, the word is believed to mean “Big Hammock.” Today, Ocala's streets feature Indian names while Downtown Ocala is said to be a one-stop, one-of-a-kind destination that caters to all ages. Ocalans recently celebrated a “Parade of Nations: Horse Celebration” at their Downtown Square which featured the Budweiser Clydesdales. Ocala is a Florida Main Street City. Another Downtown Ocala event is the Feel Downtown LIVE concert series which brings national recording artists to Ocala to perform at downtown Ocala historic venues. Feel Downtown LIVE presents five concerts through the year, ending with a full-day music festival called Harvest Fest. This celebration is held at Tuscawilla Park. Feel Downtown LIVE is a Greater Feel Downtown initiative which, since 2013, promotes Ocala as a regional destination. It is sponsored by The Boyd Group, a team of energetic Realtors, involved in sales and development in the Ocala area.
Dollie Gull-Goldman
A veteran multimedia journalist who, now a senior, enthusiastically continues her RV travels, and she has worked as a photographer/filmmaker for early TV news, she spent some 20-years as a newspaper writer-editor/journalist. Dollie looks forward to even more RV on-the-road adventures.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Ocala Sun RV Resort, which offers the best of central Florida living with its convenient location, spacious full hook-up sites and first-class resort amenities.Local Area Attractions include Silver Springs River Crusie, Marion Oaks Country Club, and Daytona Beach which is straight east for a couple hours drive.