The Evergreen Leisures June Rally brought fresh energy with activities never seen before at our gatherings. These additions were designed to spice things up. We demonstrated that we could generate excitement and offer something for every attendee, even when choosing a rally in the town of Canyonville, Oregon.
This year’s event was made even more special by welcoming 23 visitors from 5 other LTV Travelers Clubs, who brought fresh perspectives and forged connections across regions. For 30% of our 161 attendees, this was their first Evergreen Rally, and we welcomed everyone with warmth and open arms.
Check out some of the exciting new highlights unveiled at this rally:
- Food Truck.
- Bike ride exceeding 30 participants.
- First time to turn registration into a full-blown welcome center.
- Aloha, Hawaiian catered kick-off buffet.
- A recycled parts swap to enhance our extended van tours sessions.
- Corn hole tournament.
- First time to have five sponsoring vendors and a total of six informational sessions.
- Evergreen happy hour mixers.
- Karaoke night.
- Potluck extravaganza.
- First time at Seven Feathers RV Resort and to experience the casino’s first-ever wine festival.
Arriving a night early has become an Evergreen Leisures Rally tradition. Nearly half of our 85 LTVs rolled in early and were treated to the Rolling Thunder Food Truck and Caroline’s welcome treats. It was a delicious start!
34 early arrivers enjoyed a 16-mile loop along rural Oregon country roads. With the growing popularity of members with e-bikes and the notoriety of biking at our next rally location (Coeur D’Alene, Idaho), we will undoubtedly shift the date and divide the riders into two groups.
For the first time, registration was the kickoff event for the following activities. We aimed to create a warm, inclusive environment that made everyone feel welcome while building genuine excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead. New attendees were welcomed with special “First Rally” name tag ribbons, happy hour mixer locations were assigned, volunteers were oriented, and raffle tickets were sold.
Our opening night, “Aloha Buffet,” offered the opportunity to get a festive group photo highlighting why we chose June for this rally. The unusually bright evening sun did, however, make it difficult for many PNW residents to spot the drone camera.
With 85 vans, the size of the group can feel impersonal. Members were divided into seven groups at sites marked with “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” flags, which participants noted as a highlight of the rally. This happy hour mixer was the perfect warm-up for the evening’s subsequent activity.
The Rally coordinator adapted when a planned acoustic sing-along by the resort’s fire pit became an impromptu karaoke party. Though the machine was intended as a PA system, it led to our first karaoke night, with many Evergreen members trying the mic for the first time. Given its fun, karaoke may be featured at future rallies, most likely after the happy hour mixer!
The Evergreen Leisures are fortunate to count Dan and Carol Taylor among our members. Dan is a talented musician who was pictured earlier, and he is also a gifted woodworker. The donated wood features have become a cherished part of our rally raffles. Board member service and volunteering are recognized at each rally. Note the shape of Dan’s instrument. Thank you, Dan and Carol, for your amazing contribution.
Speaking of good deeds, energetic volunteers make our rallies possible. Whether baking cookies, giving presentations, leading activities, or preparing meals, volunteers serve the club while enriching their own rally interactions and experience.
Vendors led informative sessions on power management, steering and suspension, and medical evacuation services. Mercedes-Benz of Eugene educated us on the Mercedes-Benz chassis. Our Seven Feathers Rally coordinator was recognized for the resort’s flexibility and hard work. Henderson’s Super Steer performed free suspension inspections. Vendors offset the cost of meals and helped us raise money by donating raffle prizes.
Food has always been a highlight at our rallies. Meals allow people to exchange experiences, interact with new people, and reconnect with acquaintances. Small potlucks have been an Evergreen tradition for early arrivals and those staying an extra day. A recent member survey revealed that the potluck dinner was the favorite meal of past rallies. Due to this preference and the lack of local pizza options, the Board featured a “potluck extravaganza” as the final night’s dinner. Pizza may not return to an Evergreen Rally for some time.
The June 2025 Evergreen Leisures Rally had something for everyone. Thanks to all who attended from near and far. The memories are priceless, and we hope to see everyone again, as well as newcomers, at a future rally.
Written by: Neil Nesenblatt
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://leisurevans.com/blog/evergreen-leisures-june-rally-in-canyonville-oregon/