Rally dates for 2012

[Tom Petroff]

Dang! Has it been that long??? :eek:

My hotel has been covered by MallWart? Is there no shame?

The Family Diner gone? Where does one go for greasy home cooking?

And a FOUR LANER? What's next, a bypass?

Maybe I'll just stay home, Fairfield doesn't sound like the quaint little burg it was...

I haven't been to a MallWart since 1996. I try to seldom eat fast food and when I do I try to make it a local non-franchise. Same for motels, we seek out the little family joints (OK, so most the family's are newly Americanized now - but not all) and if a town has a by-pass I usually drive straight through town to avoid all the traffic and box stores plus get to see the old fabric even if it is boxed up and vacant...

OK, done ranting and raving. Sorry for straying off subject.

Now, once the 8 and Best Western fills, where does everybody go? My dad's a little to old to camp unless we snatch a camper somewhere. BTW - do all the Townies still get together and camp back there?

Fairfield ain't in kansas anymore is it? :D

The four lane is a by-pass!
You have to pay attention to your exit's or you'll pass on by!
I too will miss the greasy spoon.
Sounds like things have changed since I was last there in 09.
TGP

[Clint Dixon]

Personally, the diner was one of my favorite spots...dang

Dang! Has it been that long??? :eek:

My hotel has been covered by MallWart? Is there no shame?

The Family Diner gone? Where does one go for greasy home cooking?

And a FOUR LANER? What's next, a bypass?

Maybe I'll just stay home, Fairfield doesn't sound like the quaint little burg it was...

I haven't been to a MallWart since 1996. I try to seldom eat fast food and when I do I try to make it a local non-franchise. Same for motels, we seek out the little family joints (OK, so most the family's are newly Americanized now - but not all) and if a town has a by-pass I usually drive straight through town to avoid all the traffic and box stores plus get to see the old fabric even if it is boxed up and vacant...

OK, done ranting and raving. Sorry for straying off subject.

Now, once the 8 and Best Western fills, where does everybody go? My dad's a little to old to camp unless we snatch a camper somewhere. BTW - do all the Townies still get together and camp back there?

Fairfield ain't in kansas anymore is it? :D

I agree Shy Dave. The diner used to be "THE" place to eat. The waitresses there were on a first name bassis with a lot of the Rally attendees and they watched our kids grow up along with the rest of us. Kind of nice when you can roll into town and feel like you are at home. Mike Fleig said they were to open up under new management. Didn't quite happen in time for the last Rally.

The Dream Motel across from the fairgrounds was once very nice and also used to be kind of a "rally central" into wee hours of the morning with groups of people around the parking lot talking Dodge. The new owners from India did not put a penny back into the place, and in the period of three years, it was run into the ground. The same thing is kind of happening to the Super 8 now.

Yes, the four lane highway IS a bypass. It is actually very nice - for the Rally event at least. Now one can pull out on the old 34 anywhere in town in a Power-Wagon and not feel like they are going to cause a multi-car (and 18-wheeler) pileup. I have also heard that there are plans for new motels at the junction of Route 1 and the 34 bypass.

Until then, folks stay in motels in Washington, Mt. Pleasant, Burlington, Ottumwa, Keosauqua, etc.

Fairfield - "A quaint little burg?" - prior to 1974 maybe....

[Clint Dixon]

You beat me to it Tom

The four lane is a by-pass!
You have to pay attention to your exit's or you'll pass on by!
I too will miss the greasy spoon.
Sounds like things have changed since I was last there in 09.
TGP

No posting while I'm typing!:D

[Ron in Indiana]

According to the lady at the desk of the Super 8 they are to going to remodel the motel at least that's what she's heard. Hopefully here during the off season in time for the rally. I too enjoyed the Diner the first time I ate there but then it hit the skids. I don't shop at Wally World. The traffic is lighter in town now that the bypass is done. The Hy Vee still has great lunch deals with the grilled burgers and all. The pancakes.....well not as I remember them but I'm still hoping on that one. It would be great to see us running out of parking spaces around the square after the parade again. Oh and speaking of pancakes they are great cakes at the Saturday breakfast after the parade.

[KRB64]

Clint - what changed in 1974 or is that just a general reference of time?

Round about then they replaced our party line with dedicated line. But I don't think it really started going down hill untill the 90's when we got city water.

[Jill Stearnes]

There are plenty of non chain restaurants in Fairfield, you just have to know where to go!!!

Also see the link for area lodging choices.

http://travelfairfieldiowa.com/stay/

And don't blame Walmart for the closing of the hotel across from the fairgrounds. That place was terrible. It needed to be torn down!!!

Jill

[Clint Dixon]

Clint - what changed in 1974 or is that just a general reference of time?

Round about then they replaced our party line with dedicated line. But I don't think it really started going down hill untill the 90's when we got city water.

1973 was when Parsons College closed its doors and 1974 was when the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi bought the campus as home to the Maharishi International University. This brought a great number followers and celebrities from all over the world with varrying cultural and political beliefs to the midwest town. As I understand, some things changed dramatically, from architecture to the local economy to the community spirit. On the surface it may appear to Mayberry, but underneath it has many personalities.....especially when Power Wagons roll into town.

[KRB64]

Oh yea, forgot about that little culture shock event Clint.

More restaurants per capita that San Francisco! Probably more vegetarian & organic ones than any town its size! The Landmark Inn looks like a neat one. Thanks Jill.

[75Crew]

What are the activities planned at this year's Fairfield Rally?

Being a newcomer to this forum and never having been to a "Rally", I'm interested in what types of activities are planned for the upcoming June event. I belong to two Chrysler 300 Clubs and have been to some of those meets but, understandably, most of those owners would not want to take their cars off the blacktop and into the gravel, much less on a trail ride. So...please enlighten me. I am planning to travel to the June Rally with several members of my family, age 2yr and up. I will trailer my PW to the event but it will be available to take part in some of the activities. What activities should I expect? Are they open to various family members? Thanks in advance for the info!

75Crew in Illinois

[KRB64]

Haven't been in a while but there are usually training sessions at Vintage, shows and swaps at the Fair Grounds. Get together meals and trail runs (serious trail rides, for the working truck). Fun stuff like the teeter totter thing, reversed steering, pulls way back when. All culminates with a parade downtown.

If you're interested in the trail ride, based on my experience, bring some good tires and a strap. Unless its a dry year there's plenty of mud!

[75Crew]

Haven't been in a while but there are usually training sessions at Vintage, shows and swaps at the Fair Grounds. Get together meals and trail runs (serious trail rides, for the working truck). Fun stuff like the teeter totter thing, reversed steering, pulls way back when. All culminates with a parade downtown.

If you're interested in the trail ride, based on my experience, bring some good tires and a strap. Unless its a dry year there's plenty of mud!

Sounds like lots of fun...planning to be there with some of the family

[KRB64]

Check their website regularly, they'll have the details and updates there.

http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/

[TommyDodge]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Landmark Inn?
If not, do you know anyone who did?
If so did you enjoy your stay?
Thanks
Tom

[dodgenut78]

A brand new 63 room Fairfield Inn Hotel is currently in the final stages of construction at the intersection of HWY 1 south and Hwy 34. The hotel owner assures us it will be open by April 2012. We will post hotel contact info as soon as it is available. Also the 2012 Rally Registration form now is available for download, please note the extended events for folks that will be arriving early.

http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/annual-rally.htm

Jens