Gold Rush - Next Stop Billings Montana

From Barb and Tom (repost)

I am reposting this in the Gold Rush XX area as it pertains to Gold Rush XX.

This message came to me from Barb and Tom

Hi everyone,

Please forward this information to the members and get it onto web sites.

It was brought to my attention that the Sheraton Hotel in Sioux Falls,
SD is completely booked for Gold Rush XX.  I spoke with Valerie at the
Sheraton. They are NOT taking names to put on a waiting list. She
suggested contacting the Holiday Inn (a sister property to the Sheraton)
and make reservations there. Contact number is 605-339-2000. Mention
GWTA for the special rate of $69 per night.

If you are traveling with a family and want to entertain kids, or just
love water, I recommend the Best Western Ramkota Hotel.  It has an
indoor water park!! The rate is $79 per night. Click here to see details
www.ramkota.com/siouxfalls

I am traveling to Sioux Falls this Fall for an operation's meeting. I
will have more details of the area after that.

I want to apologize to everyone that had a terrible experience at the
Velda Rose in Hot Springs. I stayed there last October and had a
wonderful experience. The hotel was under new ownership as of July 1st
and the general  manager walked out Sunday morning when we started
checking in.  While GWTA does all it can to contract with reputable
hotels at an affordable rate we have no control over sales and
management of property one year after we sign contracts. If you feel
very strongly about your experience at the Velda Rose please contact the
Better Business Bureau and  lodge a formal complaint. You can file a
complaint at www.bbb.org Again, GWTA would never contract with an
organization that is so poorly managed.

Plan early and reserve your room for next year. Gold Rush XX - our 20th
birthday party - will be a great time!!!!!!

Ride safe,

Barb Johnson
GWTA Region C Director

A Letter from the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau

SIOUX FALLS WELCOMES

GOLD RUSH RALLY XX June 15-20, 2007!

Can you hear the Gold Wings a rumblin’ and the ice cream cones a crumblin’...the GOLD RUSH RALLY XX is coming to the largest city in South Dakota, Sioux Falls!  With our commitment to quality and service we will accommodate you with style and spirit!

 
Outdoor Cafe

Sioux Falls is located in the heart of the United States at the junction of Interstates 90 and 29, is easily accessible by major airlines, and has all the offerings of a big city!  Over 4,000 hotel rooms, 560 restaurants including many locally owned, featuring their own unique specialties, a wide variety of entertainment and attractions including golf courses, 65 parks, the best shopping opportunities between Minneapolis and Denver, a vibrant downtown area, arts, theatre, symphony, museums, water parks, a pavilion of arts and science, sporting events and several beautiful motorcycle riding routes to enjoy while you are here.  

We can’t wait for you to arrive next July!  Planning has already begun and the community is excited!  There is always something happening in Sioux Falls….festivals, music, sports, recreation, exciting events, and they will all be waiting for you in 2007!

Special thanks to all of you who welcomed us so warmly in Hot Springs.  We truly enjoyed getting to meet you and being allowed to enjoy many of your activities.  We are anxious to share our city with all of you next summer.

P.S.  The “ice cream alert” is out to everyone in Sioux Falls!!!  Be prepared to eat, eat, eat!!!!!

Falls Park, Our City's Namesake

Falls Park, located in the heart of the city, is home to a captivating triple waterfall, a visitor information center and five-story viewing tower, the NEW Overlook Cafe, historic ruins built from the pink quartzite that you see throughout the park and is visited by people from all over the world, not to mention every state in the nation visited Falls Park this past June and July of 2006.  The Falls of the Big Sioux River have been a focus of life in the region throughout history.  Native American peoples were the first to visit the falls and bring stories of them to European explorers.  They have been the focus of recreation and industry since the founding of the city of Sioux Falls in 1856.  Today the park covers 42 acres.  Each second, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the Falls.  

 
Falls Park

Jessica Green

Sales & Marketing Director

Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau

200 North Phillips Ave., Suite 102

Sioux Falls, SD  57104

605-373-2036

Gold Rush XX

When I heard that Gold Rush XX was going to be up in Sioux Falls, SD my first thought was "What in tarnation is so special about Sioux Falls".  Last week we traveled up to Sioux Falls, SD to find out.  While the Sheraton has reported back "All full" on the vacancy status, we found plenty of places to stay around the convention center.  We visited a few of these places and then visited some of the area attractions.  Another thing that amazed me was the fact that anybody we spoke to about coming to town already knew all about it.  They must have had some sort of big announcment locally. 

We met this nice lady named Brittany at a place called Falls Park.  I knew she has had extensive training because as soon as she found out we were from GWTA she rattled off some statistic on how there are over a hunderd and some out of some other number restaurants in Sioux Falls that serve ice cream.  It wasn't long after that and she had me buying $90 is gifts from the shop.  She's pretty good.  I know that now. 

The park is a must see attraction and features a very wide area of rocks and water falling off the rocks.  That must be why they call it Falls Park.  While wandering through the park I noticed a lot of mirrors at various locations.  I also noticed a lot of spot lights.  It was only later that I found out that the park features a light show every night.  How cool is the show?  You'll have to find out for yourself. 

The park also features a tower complete with a gift shop (they're restocking it now) and a very well heated elevator.  Once at the top you can see all around the park.  It was from this point we watched a young couple struggle with one of those goofy two seater four wheeled bikes. 

We visited the park Saturday night until dark and first thing again Sunday morning around 9:30.  Both times Brittany was there to sell us goods and provide ice cream stats.  She must have a bunk in the back room. 

On Sunday Brittany sent us to the Japanese Garden, which as it turns out, is next to the water slide park.  I couldn't make up my mind which way to go (once we finally found it tucked away in a residential neighborhood).  At the water park we found these very interesting slides, or diving boards...I can't decide which at this time.  Maybe they're Sliding Boards.  Anyway, it starts off innocent enough about 10 feet up in the air and then a short time later the thing just ends (must be a budget issue) and you drop into the pool below.  Next to the pool is a sand volley ball court and beyond that is the Japenese Garden (complete with water fall).  All this is a small walk across the street from the Sheraton and then a walk around a lake. 

Anyway, a long story short, I made my lodging reservations on the way out of town for Gold Rush XX at the Super 8. 

All that said...so far...I set up this area for anyone to share information regarding Gold Rush XX next year.  If you have anything you'd like to add, please leave me a note.  In the mean time, I left with two bags stuffed full of information from Sioux Falls and a few memories too.  While I won't be posting it all tonight, I'll try and keep updating this area as much as possible.