By IL Radio Network
DuQuoin, IL – WITH THE HIGH FUEL PRICES, SOME PEOPLE ARE CUTTING BACK ON THEIR SUMMER TRAVELING, BUT CAMPERS STILL PACKED THE DUQUOIN STATE FAIRGROUNDS THIS WEEK FOR THE ANNUAL NEWMAR RALLY.
THE RALLY IS FOR OWNERS OF NEWMAR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. THE NEWMAR KOUNTRY KLUB IS A SOCIAL ORGANIZATION FOR THESE OWNERS.
BARNEY BARNETT, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NEWMAR KOUNTRY KLUB, SAYS THE RALLY IS BENEFICIAL TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN DUQUOIN.
BARNETT SAYS THE CURRENT PRICE OF DIESEL FUEL IMPACTED THE SIZE OF THIS YEAR'S RALLY.
THE LAST TIME THE RALLY WAS HELD AT THE DUQUOIN STATE FAIRGROUNDS IN 2004, THERE WERE CLOSE TO 900 UNITS, BUT THIS YEAR, THE HIGH PRICE OF DIESEL FUEL LOWERED ATTENDANCE TO A LITTLE OVER 500.
BARNETT SAYS A GREAT NUMBER OF THE CAMPERS ARE FULL-TIMERS WHO ARE RETIRED OR HAVE SOLD THEIR HOMES. SOME OF THE MOTOR COACHES ARE VALUED AT UP TO 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
THE WEEK-LONG RALLY CONCLUDED SATURDAY.
