National And International Events

JULY 4 - JULY 7, 2012. WING DING 34 IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA. Join us for the annual GWRRA party and convention, including the world’s largest Gold Wing trade show, parades, Rider Ed courses and classes, seminars, parties, dancing, food, great riding and much more—all in a great city! Sign up now at www.wingding.org or call (800)843-9460 or (623) 581-2500 (Phoenix area) to register now

Region Events

MAY 10-19, 2012. NORTHEAST REGION B is hosting a Cruise to Bermuda/Caribbean on “The Explorer of the Seas”, departing Cape Liberty, NJ. 9-Night Itinerary: Cape Liberty, NJ–At Sea–Bermuda–At Sea–St. Maarten–San Juan–Labadee–At Sea (2)–Cape Liberty, NJ. Imagine taking your bike or trike on a cruise! That’s right! Come ride the Islands with your GWRRA Friends! This will be a FUN-FUN-FUN Event! *Reserved dining for group; *2 private parties; *pre-reserved bike space on ship; *commemorative ETA gift; *escorted rides with local island riders; *great ice cream stops at every port; *beach/lunch *and more! Full details available at gwrra-northeastregion.org/ or by calling Region B Chapter of the Year Coordinators Mike and Shirley Prince at (717) 225-6499.

JULY 20-22, 2012. GREAT NORTHWEST REGION J RALLY “Wings Under the Midnight Sun” in Anchorage, AK. Let us share with you the unique beauty and wildlife of South Central Alaska! See famous Lake Hood, the world’s largest, busiest seaplane base. Experience Anchorage’s famous downtown shops and eateries, complete with salmon fishing in Ship Creek. Visit the headquarters for the world-famous Iditarod Dog Sled Race and much more! For more info, call Dennis Bible at (907) 262-7300 (home) or (907) 398-9050 (cell) or email sdblakehouse@acsalaska.net.

SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2012. SOUTHEAST REGION A’s “Mardi Gras” Convention/Rally. Site accommodations at Lakepoint Resort Lodge & Convention Center, US-431 North, Eufaula, AL. [Contact Sone’ Kornegay at (800) 544-5253 or (334) 687-8011 for Lodge Rooms, Cottages or Cabins; 3-night minimum.] For camping inside the park, call (334) 687-6676 [from tents to motorhomes to RV-trailers; all state building, non-smoking and, sorry, no critters (pets)]. For more info, call Region A Directors Bob and Nan Shrader at (352) 668-3164 or Rally Coordinator Ed Porter at (727) 938-8190.

 

District Events

April 26-28, 2012. 28th Annual South Carolina District Convention held in North Charleston, SC. Our theme is “Catch the Spirit” – a salute to Armed Forces and First Responders. Full registration gives you, Rider Ed and LTP seminars, Bike Show, Light Bike Show, Costume Contest, Door prizes, vendor sales, an excellent Talent Show and much, much more. Come join us for a weekend of FUN! For more info, contact District Director, Charles Coleman at (864) 834-5170 or charlescoleman@gmail.com or check us out at gwrrasc.com

APRIL 26-28, 2012. TENNESSEE DISTRICT CONVENTION “Spring Fling” at The Grand Majestic Theatre, 125 Music Mountain Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN. Theme is “Hawaiian Luau”. Vendors, seminars, Bike Show, Light Show, Grand Parade, District Couple of the Year Selection, Professional Musical Review Show (performed by Troupe of the Grand Majestic Theatre and free to the first 1,100 registered). Also, ride the famous Smoky Mountains TN! For more info, contact Richard and Becky Griffin at (615) 533-4603.

JUNE 1-2, 2012. MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION. Come “Wing the Ozarks” in fantastic Branson, MO! Some of the best motorcycle riding in the central States can be found around Branson, so come enjoy some of the incredible guided tours. Plus, there’ll be great vendors, door prizes and big discounts at some great restaurants. PLUS, there’ll be a special appearance by the North Carolina Precision Drill Team! Co-host hotels with special rates for GWRRA are: Southern Oaks [(417) 335-8108] and AmazINN [(417) 334-2300]. For more info, contact Bruce and Sherry Watkins at (573) 450-8050 or modirector@live.com. Also, visit mogwrra.org.

JUNE 14-16, 2012. GEORGIA DISTRICT’s “Wing Fling” Convention at the Dillard House Convention Center, 768 Franklin St., Dillard, GA. This year, we have a Safari theme and we hope that you will come and join the FUN as we “Rumble in the Jungle” in the North Georgia Mountains. Come and join us for lots of FUN with tames, vendors, Rider Ed Seminars, LT Seminars, ice cream, Talent Show and much more. For more info, visit the Georgia District website at gwrra-ga.com or contact Tommy Martin at (678) 725-1632 or georgiadd@gwrra-ga.com.

JUNE 28-30, 2012. WYOMING DISTRICT CONVENTION—stop in on your way to Wing Ding 34! Have fun with us in beautiful, historic Sheridan, WY at the host hotel: Holiday Inn, just off of I-90. For more info, contact District Director Dawna Hill at (307) 635-5227 or dada@bresnan.net.

MAY 6, 2012. Los Angeles Ride for Kids®. American Honda Motor Co., 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA. 8-9:45 a.m. For more info about an event in your area, please visit www.rideforkids.org.

MAY 6, 2012. Triangle Area Ride for Kids®. White Oak Recreation Area, White Oak Beach Rd., off U.S. Highway 64, 1/2 mile east of the lake bridge, Jordan Lake State Park, between Pittsboro and Raleigh, NC. 8-9:45 a.m. For more info about an event in your area, please visit www.rideforkids.org.

MAY 17-19, 2012. TEXAS DISTRICT RALLY & CONVENTION "Texas Derby Days" in New Braunfels, TX. Come enjoy riding the Texas hill country and "Run for the Bluebonnets". Please visit the Texas District website at gwrra-tx.org for info and interesting/exciting schedule of events. Pre-registration must be postmarked by April 20th. For questions, email TXDD@gwrra-tx.org.

MAY 20, 2012. Louisiana Ride for Kids®. Rapides Parish Coliseum Annex, 5600 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA. 8-9:45 a.m. For more info about an event in your area, please visit www.rideforkids.org.

AUGUST 16-18 2012.  NY/NJ BI-STATE CONVENTION in Mt. Olive, NJ area. Fun, fun, fun! Go to gwrranj.shutterfly.com for details.

SEPTEMBER 14-15, 2012. “Wings Across Tennessee”/St. Jude Children’s Hospital 500 mile benefit ride from Bristol to Memphis. Ride leaves Bristol, TN on Friday at 9 a.m., stops in Dickson for the night, departs Saturday morning at 8:30 and arrives at St. Jude Children’s Hospital 12 noon for presentations and tour. Commemorative T-shirts and antenna flags. For more info, visit stjudeswingsacrosstn.com or call Tom Jarrell at (423) 383-0339.

OCTOBER 11-13, 2012. MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT CONVENTION, we are going "Back Home" to the beautiful beaches of BILOXI, MS! The convention will be held at the IP Casino, Resort & Spa. Special room rates available if you mention Gold Wing Road Riders Association; room rates will increase after September 1, 2012. Our theme is "BACK TO THE BEACH", Come join the fun and experience ARC, ERC, TRIKE COURSE, AMAZING TEAM RIDING CHALLENGE, VENDORS, GAMES, SEMINARS, TALENT SHOW, LIGHTED BIKE PARADE, BIKE SHOW, BEST DRESSED COMPETITIONS, MEDIC FIRST AID COURSE, COUPLE OF THE YEAR SELECTION, BLOCK PARTY, COSTUME CONTEST, GRAND PRIZE OF $2,000 CASH, 50/25/25 DRAWING. For more information please visit our website www.miss.gwrra-regiona.org or contact Bobby Bryant at (601) 919-0920 or rbigdog4@aol.com.

OCTOBER 26-28, 2012. ARIZONA DISTRICT CONVENTION. Join us for “The 10-26 to Yuma” Western theme convention, to be held (where else?!) in Yuma, AZ. Not just a stopover to California anymore, folks! Games, seminars, western wear competition, bike show, light parade, all the usual and MORE! Host hotel with special rates is the Hilton Garden Inn [(928) 783-1500; Group Code: GWRR12]. Secondary hotel, also with special rates, is the Best Western Coronado Motor Hotel [(928) 783-4453; mention that you are with GWRRA Convention]. Visit the AZ website at gwrraaz.com/convention.html for registration form, schedule of events, etc. For more info, contact Jimmy Collins at (520) 648-2524 or jimmyzpl@gmail.com or Candace Shirley at (520) 232-3785 or c.shirley@cox.net.

Chapter Events

APRIL 13-14, 2012. TX-O’s 25th annual Bluebonnet Ral-a-vention and Campout at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park in Fredericksburg, TX. [(830) 997-4202; fbgtx.org/other/ rvpark.htm]. Come tour the beautiful Texas Hill Country during peak wildflower season. Camp with us Friday and Saturday in reserved rally spots [1-30]. If not camping, admission to the park is free. Rally starts Saturday at 8 a.m. and includes a guided Fun Run, catered lunch, off-bike games, vendors, a huge silent auction and lots of FUN! Rally will be located in the enclosed Pioneer Pavilion, so come rain or shine! For more info, including camping reservations, contact Tom or Dawn Sprague at (858) 755-6071 or (512) 301-3092 or director@goldwingaustin.org. See at goldwingaustin.org/ for details and flyer.

APRIL 27-28, 2012. TX-O2’s “Heart of Texas Wings Convention (and Duck Race!)”. Friday night pre-convention dinner ride; Saturday, convention and Duck Race at Riverside Park, Brownwood, TX. For more info, contact Rick and Alyce Dietly at Rdietly@clear.net or (325) 692-6298.

APRIL 21, 2012. Second annual NC-C and NC-L Poker Run to benefit the Battered Women's Shelter of Gaston County. Come join us for fun, food, 50/50, door prizes, games and a ride that includes the Battle of King's Mountain Revolutionary War historical site (the turning point of the War for Independence). Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at McKenney Salinas PowerSports, 4804 Wilkinson Boulevard, Gastonia, NC. $15 rider/$10 co-rider/$5 extra hand. NC-C and NC-L will have their Chapter meetings, too! For more info, contact Jerry Long at (704) 437-2188 or Tom Wright at (704) 392-2656.