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Official 2021 Georgia Military Vehicle Rally information thread

microjeep

In Memorial
In Memorial
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Location
blairsville ga.
Is pron better than porn hub? I might be able to make it so I will start looking to see what goodies are left and post the on the buy / sell thread.
Hey I was supposed to pick up a couple items from you at Denton, 5 ton snatch block and battery box, but neither of us made it. If you still have those items I'll pick them up at the rally.
 

microjeep

In Memorial
In Memorial
850
466
63
Location
blairsville ga.
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the Rally this year. I've already registered and paid to attend my U.S. Army unit reunion in Washington, DC. during the same time. I'll really miss it as I have attended all of the rallies at Durhamtown in the past except the first one.
That stinks, guess I can't buy more than I can haul this year.
 

Maddog Driver

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Forsyth Co, GA
Hey everybody. This is Clint.

Please accept my apologies for how long this has taken. Mac and I visited more than a dozen sites and due to the distances involved, every one of those was an all day affair. So both of us had to take an entire day off work, drive out there, look it over, and then if we thought it would work, go through all the negotiation with the management for what we needed, what they'd do for us, pricing, etc. I know many of you need more warning so you can schedule and I can't say anything other than "I'm sorry". Covid-19 blew my business up with work and it's literally been an exhausting 7 day grind for a year.

I / we will absolutely do better in 2022.

The following thread was written mostly by Gunnermac. He sent it to me, I transcribed and proofread it.

Here we go.

The Georgia Military Vehicle Rally will be held November 3rd-7th, 2021 at Bobby Brown State Park, located 18 miles East of Alberton Georgia 11 miles West of Calhoun Falls South Carolina.

Google maps link: Click here for directions

The address is 2509 Bobby Brown State Park Road, Elberton, GA 30635. The park is on a peninsula at the confluence of the Savannah and Broad rivers on Clark Hill lake. It's just 5 minutes to the Richard B Russell dam and access to the 26,500 acre Russell lake. Both lakes provide excellent fishing and boating

Park website with phone numbers and email information: http://www.bobbybrownpark.com/index.html


Accommodations
Bobby Brown park has 58 RV/camp spots that have 30/50 amp electrical service, water hook-ups, fire ring and table. There are dump stations located in all campgrounds. Each of the camp grounds (Savannah and Broad river sides) are equipped with excellent showers and toilet facilities

Yurt village
There are 5 yurts located on the waterfront of the Broad river. Each can accommodate 4 to 6 people dependent upon how friendly they are. The yards are equipped with full over full bunk beds, full sized futon, small table and 4 chairs. Heat and air, dorm fridge, microwave, outside picnic table and outside grill. No linens are provided, you must provide your own sheets.

Restrictions for the yurt village
No pets allowed in the yurt area, no smoking inside, any guests must be out of the park by 10:00 p.m., no cooking inside, use the microwave for warming food, the check-in time is 4pm to 9pm . If arriving after 5:00 p.m. call park for information.

Bobby Brown park will hold all of the yards until August 9th for the rally. After that any unrented yurts will be open to the public

Primitive camping
The primitive camping area is approximately 10 acres of woods. This is primitive, no established campsites. There is a central fire ring, an outhouse, a water source and a shelter. No fires are allowed at individual camps in the primitive area. Any fire must be in the central fire ring. Camping is on the honor system: The rally has paid for the primitive area, the suggested cost is $5 per night or whatever you feel is fair. There will be a locked Box at Gunnermac’s campsite, (number 30), where you can drop the money . Or you can give it to Clinto or Gunnermac

There are several motels in Elberton, approximately 18 to 20 miles West of the park

Food
There is no food service at the park except for snacks, et cetera. There is a small cafe at the corner of highway 72 and Bobby Brown Road. There is a restaurant, Clifford's, at the Beaver Dam Marina about 12 miles off Highway 72. The Savannah grill is located in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina about 12 miles East of highway 72. The Savannah grill is open for breakfast and lunch

Several grocery stores are located in Elberton as well as fast food and several other restaurants

Jim Papp's barbecue and Jack Land's chicken express food truck will be at the event Friday and Saturday. These were the service providers that were at the rally last year

Cost
RV and camping sites: Waterfront sites are $13 per night
Interior sites are $12 a night
50 amp sites will be an additional $2 if used
Yurts are $85 per night
Pioneer primitive camping the honor system $5 per night suggested
We have also rented 2 additional open air shelters, for use by the rally. Donations are appreciated

There is a $3 1-time fee for any vehicle used for transportation. This includes golf carts, side-by-side's, et cetera. The park would prefer no 4 wheelers but if that's all you've got and you do not speed over 5 miles per hour in the campground or 15 miles per hour elsewhere or ride off any of the roads I think that we will be OK.

Vehicles that are for display only are not charged

Background
When Durhamtown decided not to host the rally, Clinto and I started trying to locate an alternative site. We examined some 15 to 20 sites, there was only one that could provide everything the rally needed and it is booked solid and quite expensive in addition to being 300 miles from Athens, Georgia.

Bobby Brown park was the only site that provided most of what we were looking for. Apparently Covid-19 has caused outdoor recreation sites to be in great demand. As of now we do not have a trail ride location. There is nothing at the park. However, I am attempting to find a location near the park that can provide trails.

At this location as of this writing there are no sites booked by outside people. I would recommend that when this thread is posted reserve your site immediately and if we fill it up we will not have to deal with any other people. In any case we will not have to deal with dust, motorbikes, 4 wheelers and noise that was a part of Durhamtown. Or the grubby cabins and price gouging

The swap meet will be at the parking lot above the boat ramp follow the signs. We will not have the large area we had at Durhamtown however it is sufficient in addition to being paved. The park wants us to keep the boat ramp area free until Friday and Saturday. There will be signs and someone to direct you to the proper place due to the restricted space. 18 wheelers are not allowed in the swap meet area. If you are coming in an 18 Wheeler, please contact Gunnermac or Clinto and we will find a place that you can park and unload. I would suggest that you try not to bring large trailers. As an aside to this, I know that some folks come in large gooseneck campers and I know of one attendee that has a tractor trailer rv. There are several pull through campsites that will accommodate their rigs

Amenities
The park has a chapel, hiking trails, boat ramps, laundry capability, handicap accessible areas, playground, boat docks, fish cleaning station and a number of historical monuments and markers. There is also a swinging bridge that connects the 2 campgrounds

Bobby Brown park is operated by the Elbert county parks and recreation department. The staff lives on site and are available if you need assistance or information

Firearms, fireworks, flayers, flame throwers and anything of that nature is strictly prohibited

Quite time is 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.

Camp fires must be in provided fire rings

Alcoholic beverages must remain in your camp site and pets must be leashed

All vehicles must display the Bobby Brown park parking pass. Display vehicles are excepted

As you might imagine this is a work in progress. Moving to a new location after 13 years that Durham town has presented some challenges. Further information will be provided as available

Questions and concerns should be addressed here on the rally thread.

I feel that as we work through this move, this will be a positive change. However this location is not written in stone after this year. We will continue to examine other locations if necessary.

Our goal is to continue the rally and make it the best event it can be. At this point, we’re not tethered to a location. If this works, great and if it doesn’t, then 2022 will be different.

Mac


Pictures will be in the next post
 

frc690

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Question on the primitive camping area. At the past SS events at Durhamtown, I have camped in the primitive camping area (wooded area by the big red barn) - sleeping in my M101A1 trailer. At the primitive camping site at Bobby Brown Park, are you able to drive into the primitive camping area - I.e. pickup truck pulling a M101 trailer? I have been to some State Parks where their primitive camping site is blocked off from vehicle traffic and it is set up for people to walk/carry in their tent and camping equipment. Thanks for all of the hard work you have put into setting up this event.
 

Streamline

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I have been so busy these past few months, I only just today, seen this post.
Hopefully I can get a Campsite with some power still.

Great JOB and BIG Applause to Clint and Mac, for pulling this off in such a short and trying time! This past year has been a dozy for us all!

:jumpin::beer::naner:
 
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Gunnermac

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FYI, I talked to the management at Bobby Brown Park yesterday, they advised they have four yurts left. They can only hold them for our event through Aug 7.
If you want to rent one of the yurts, I suggest that you don't wait. You can reserve with payment of one day, if you cannot attend for some reason, a refund is possible 72 hours prior to the event, less $5:00.
 

Gunnermac

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Question on the primitive camping area. At the past SS events at Durhamtown, I have camped in the primitive camping area (wooded area by the big red barn) - sleeping in my M101A1 trailer. At the primitive camping site at Bobby Brown Park, are you able to drive into the primitive camping area - I.e. pickup truck pulling a M101 trailer? I have been to some State Parks where their primitive camping site is blocked off from vehicle traffic and it is set up for people to walk/carry in their tent and camping equipment. Thanks for all of the hard work you have put into setting up this event.
In response to your question, Yes, you can drive to the primitive area, as I ,posted earlier, the primitive area has been rented by the Rally for our event only.
 

Streamline

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For those of us that usually Camp in our Swap-Meet areas, in a tent or a camper, how will that work this year?
 
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LanceRobson

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Nancy and I will be in site 53 from Wednesday through Sunday or Monday with our camper. We have family in Augusta who will be there part of the time so our attention will be divided some. If you see a confused looking mostly reformed Yankee in a red Expedition that's likely me.

If anyone from North Carolina or SW Virginia is going to be passing anywhere near Winston-Salem and has an empty trailer hitch and would be willing to haul a smoker down for the weekend we could throw some critter parts in it nightly. We could even hand the smoker off early and work out getting it back to Fort Living Room after the rally sometime if needed.

Best regards to all,


Lance
 
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Gunnermac

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For those of us that usually Camp in our Swap-Meet areas, in a tent or a camper, how will that work this year?
Bobby, It should be about the same except there is no power in the swap meet area. Currently there are camp sites nearby that have power and water. I don't think the park management would go along with a camper in that area. I will be talking to them soon and I will get their feelings on this and some other questions. The tents that you have your merchandise in should be no problem
 

Streamline

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Bobby, It should be about the same except there is no power in the swap meet area. Currently there are camp sites nearby that have power and water. I don't think the park management would go along with a camper in that area. I will be talking to them soon and I will get their feelings on this and some other questions. The tents that you have your merchandise in should be no problem
Thank you, for the info! Sounds like we are all going to have some fun this year after all.
This setup feels a lot like the way the setup was at the Alabama Rally near Birmingham that I went to a few years back.

I will be bringing a 12ft Enclosed Trailer this year and was going to set up merchandise around it. Thought maybe to try and stay in the trailer instead of setting up a tent. Due to my back situation now, I cant sleep laying down anymore, so not sure what I'm going to do, for sure yet.

Also want sure how far campsites were away from Swap meet area.

Also I was checking for John too, seeing how he usually sets up at his Small motorhome and trailer.
 
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glcaines

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Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the Rally this year. I've already registered and paid to attend my U.S. Army unit reunion in Washington, DC. during the same time. I'll really miss it as I have attended all of the rallies at Durhamtown in the past except the first one.
Things have changed. Due to the Delta Variant of the virus, my U.S. Army reunion has been postponed until next Spring. I have reserved the SR 48 campsite arriving Wed and departing Sunday.
 

Gunnermac

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Article in the Elberton paper this week says that the yurts will each have internet access and they are upgrading access in the camping areas. This should be done before we arrive. I don't know if that includes the primitive area, will find out. The Savannah side camp sites are closest to the swap meet, about 500 yards. The Broad river sites are about 1 mile by road to the swap meet. I realize the maps leave a lot to be desired, but it is the best we have at this time. Hopefully I will have more info after I meet with park management. I have not as yet been able to find a trail ride location, but I have not given up . I can tell you all this, after watching Clinto's frustration dealing with the insane management at duramtown for the past years, working with Jack Bell, the manager at Bobby Brown, and his staff has been a pleasure. As I assume you all are aware, the camping at Bobby Brown is not going to be as hard on the wallet as duramtown. If anyone needs further information, post it here and I will attempt to address it in a timely manner.
,
 

clinto

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A big announcement:


Once again, Memphis Equipment has very graciously offered to sponsor our event.

I want to make something painfully clear: We couldn't have done this event without their help and they have sponsored us for several years.

As the rally grew, we had to make it more legitimate. We needed an attorney to answer questions about liability and how to protect ourselves. We needed someone to write a proper waiver of liability. And an insurance policy.

Rebuilding the hand washing stations was expensive, then there's the supplies: soap, paper towels, etc.

So without their help, we either couldn't do this or it would cost all of us even more money.

I ask that all of you throw some money at Memphis. It doesn't have to be a lot. If a couple dozen people make some small purchases, then that'll help them see an ROI on their investment.

If you buy something from their eBay store or website, include a note. "Hey, I bought this because ya'll support an event I like". Phone sales? Tell the salesperson.

Thank you all for your patronage and attendance.

C



 
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