The 2025 rally season for the Western Sunsetters commenced with a spring event in the scenic South Okanagan Wine Country. Located in Osoyoos, British Columbia, the Nk’Mip RV Park & Campground provided a distinctive camping opportunity beside Canada’s sole desert and its warmest lake.
Day One: Registration Day
The rally commenced with the owners of 117 Leisure Travel Vans in attendance. Upon registering, participants were provided with personalized name tags and raffle tickets for prizes. Sign-up opportunities were offered for a selection of complimentary activities. These included guided bike rides, suspension inspections, and show and sale of RV-related items events at owners’ LTVs. Additionally, pre-booked activities such as organized wine tours at Nk’Mip Winery, zentangle sessions, and a paint and sip project had been arranged before the rally for interested members.
The day commenced with a smooth and efficient registration process, ensuring all participants were properly checked in and provided with necessary materials. Following registration, a vibrant and welcoming Meet and Greet took place, offering a fantastic opportunity for attendees to mingle and connect. Club Leaders and the dedicated Event Planning Team were on hand, extending a heartfelt welcome and fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie.
As the evening unfolded, the attendees were treated to an insightful and captivating travel photography session. This session was expertly presented by WS club member Gordon Toombs, who shared his expertise in the art of capturing stunning travel moments, specifically using the convenience of phone photography. His presentation was engaging and provided valuable tips and techniques for participants to enhance their photography skills.
Day Two
The LTV Western Sunsetters began each day of their Osoyoos Spring Rally with a wonderful morning coffee and treat service, graciously hosted by Gayle and Steve Maritsch. A highlight was the delicious array of Gayle’s homemade baked goods, along with food-sensitivity baked options made by Club member Rhea Cavelti. Following these delightful Coffee Club Socials, the Rally schedule continued with optional Tai Chi sessions led by Club members Julia Rohan and her husband, Ted Yudelson.
Matthew Pot of NomadiQ showcased their advanced BBQ products. Valley Auto & RV technicians were onsite providing complementary suspension inspections to interested club members. Fraserway Kelowna’s General Manager, Brian Letcher, spoke to the group, then his team shared information from the recent dealer conference at the Leisure Travel Van Factory in Winkler, Manitoba. Staff members from Sessions Outdoor Sports then did a presentation to Rally attendees about e-bike use and maintenance tips.
Thanks to dedicated volunteers who organized everyone for the Leisure Travelers Club drone photo, a group shot was captured with the backdrop of two brand new 2025 LTV models brought to the rally by Fraserway Kelowna RV. During breaks during the day, rally attendees had opportunities to explore a Unity FX and a Wonder Rear Twin Bed.
Oliver Eats Ltd. catered a fantastic lunch that exceeded expectations with its outstanding quality and was a true highlight. During lunch setup, the owner of Oliver Eats, Derek Uhlemann, also talked to the Rally participants about the local food scene in the Osoyoos region.
The first of three optional Zentangle art sessions led by Western Sunsetters Club member Marie Browning, a professional Zentangle Teacher and author, was enjoyed by pre-registered club participants.
Some members participated in a bike ride led by Club member Paul Heinrichs.
Before a supper break, interested club members were invited to gather in the Clubhouse for a BYOB happy hour visitation opportunity.
Western Sunsetters club member Allan Spevak led a photographic education session highlighting using SLR cameras. Allan provided excellent ideas and techniques for capturing images. He provided printed composition Tip sheets. Optional assignments were given to interested Club attendees.
Day Three
Our third day once again featured a Morning Coffee Club get-together and a vibrant mix of activities. Volunteer club members led scenic bike rides, a second relaxing Tai Chi session, and an energizing Zumba session. For those seeking a local Okanagan Experience, individually booked Wine tours provided beautiful views, social interaction, and opportunities for tasting.
Inside the clubhouse, a second Zentangle session was led by WS Club Member Marie Browning. WS Club members, Steve and Gayle Maritsch, delighted everyone with a fun and delicious afternoon Ice Cream social, serving up an impressive 230 homemade Sundaes. Following this treat, an on-site wine tasting was hosted for Rally attendees by Craig Pingle of Jason Parkes Customs. This tasting featured a delightful selection from one of their many winery partners. This event was arranged by Brian Letcher of Fraserway Kelowna.
In the evening, club members Drew McArthur and Julie Smith-Fehr gave an interactive and informative presentation about travel apps and travel documents.
Day Four
The Friday event buzzed with energy and offered a diverse range of engaging activities catering to varied interests. Following the morning Coffee Club get-together, participants gathered for a serene Tai Chi session, promoting mindfulness and gentle exercise. Later, guided wine tours allowed exploration of local vineyards, sampling regional varieties while enjoying picturesque landscapes.
Active attendees embarked on scenic bike rides, soaking in the surrounding beauty and enjoying the fresh air. Some members even took a swim in the lake. Others took trips into the town of Osoyoos to explore all this unique place has to offer tourists.
Creativity flourished during the Zentangle art workshop, where intricate patterns and meditative drawing techniques were explored. In the afternoon, a lively Paint and Sip session was offered, which encouraged artistic expression in a relaxed, social atmosphere.
For this final full day of the 2025 Spring Rally, we chose to host a vibrant Mexican Fiesta-themed evening celebration. A dedicated team of volunteers diligently began preparations well in advance, meticulously arranging tables, setting up colorful decorations, and creating a festive ambiance. A Mexican-themed backdrop and props allowed members a fun photo opportunity. The photo backdrop buzzed with activity all day and night, becoming a focal point for shared memories and strong connections, truly capturing the event’s friendly atmosphere.
Tim Morris, one of our Rally planning team members, brought a piñata and Latin music for added fun. For our shared evening meal, Oliver Eats provided a delicious and extensive Mexican buffet, featuring authentic dishes and flavors.
Following the meal, WS Club member Wayne Erskine shared personal Mexican travel adventures and helpful tips, inspiring a sense of adventure among everyone. To finish up the evening’s events, the club members’ photo assignment admissions were shown on the large screen for everyone to enjoy. A variety of exciting prizes generously donated by many sponsors were awarded to lucky Raffle ticket winners.
Fraserway Kelowna RV, Travel Land RV, IRVWPC, Jason Parkes Customs, and especially our main sponsor, Leisure Travel Vans, made significant contributions to the event’s success, fostering a spirit of giving and community.
Departure
The Osoyoos Spring Rally’s tremendous success was achieved through the incredible efforts and unwavering commitment of the Western Sunsetter Club volunteers. They generously contributed their time, talents, and expertise to every aspect of the event, from planning and problem-solving to preparation and ensuring a smooth experience for everyone. Furthermore, these dedicated individuals led engaging activities and shared valuable knowledge through instructional sessions. The rally’s accomplishments are a testament to the community spirit, collaboration, and selflessness shown by the volunteers, whose hard work truly drove the event. The extraordinary rally, filled with enthusiasm and joy, left attendees excitedly looking forward to the next Leisure Travel Vans Club Event.
Written by: Linda Clark
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://leisurevans.com/blog/the-wester-sunsetters-2025-spring-rally/