The crisp autumn air still smelled like hay and livestock at the Winnemucca Fairgrounds. Flies bumbled about, and the occasional smack of a fly swatter punctuated the general chatter of conversation around the craft table. The ladies decorated jean pocket purses with ribbon and jewels.
Nearby, in the game room, teams tried out a new card game. Whenever a rule caused contention, one of the State Staff would set things straight. Next door, in the kitchen, the cooks started lunch preparations.
The Good Sams Fall Samboree brought RV and camping enthusiasts from all over Nevada and nearby states for some fun and fellowship. This was the fifth year the Sams have held the Samboree in Winnemucca.
The Good Sams Club has been around since the 1960s, and started out as a group dedicated to helping travelers during the heyday of cross-country travel. Now, the Sams gather to celebrate old-fashioned fun with games, presentations and quirky antics. This year’s theme was Toonville. Disney characters, Looney Toons and Scooby Doo decorations met attendees everywhere.
But Good Sams’ numbers are dwindling. The overwhelming majority of Good Sams Club members are getting on in years, and the entertainment they appreciate doesn’t easily resonate with the younger crowd. Some changes have taken place, particularly relating to the Samborees. Though the club will return to Winnemucca for later statewide events, only one will occur every year, rather than two. Next year, the Samboree will take place in southern Nevada.
These changes haven’t stopped the Sams from having fun, though. From campsite decorating to a cartoon-themed parade, with time for horseshoes in the mix, the Good Sams Club continues to revel in travel.
