Holiday Lights 2018 in St. Augustine
This page last updated 12/10/18
This fun time was enjoyed by 29 coaches and concluded on 12/9/18. Information below will very soon be moved to the "Rally Archives"
Tiffin Travelers Holiday Rally for Members Only
Compass RV Park
1505 S.R. 207
St. Augustine, FL 32086
Four Rally Nights Beginning December 5, 2018
This rally is fully booked and not accepting additional reservations.
There is no "wait list".
In order to give us more breathing room in the dining and activity hall, if registrants cancel, their rally vacancy will not be filled.
Deadline to reserve a site was October 1, 2018.
But, we booked to capacity 2 months in advance of deadline.
Planning emails to known registrants began in early August.
A third planning email to rally registrants was sent October 14th.
Prepayments have been received from all registrants.
If you didn't get the rally emails and you didn't send prepayment to the hosts, you aren't in the rally group and you are not attending rally functions.
Sites will be assigned by coach length and corresponding rates will apply. For
those lucky to have reserved before we reached a booking limit, you had an option
to request up to 6 additional nights to extend your stay (to arrive early and/or
stay late) IF those additional nights are available at the park.
Reservations required a $50 deposit, which was fully refundable until October 1st.
After October 1st, a $25 fee will be assessed for cancellations made 7 or more days
prior to scheduled arrival date. Cancellations within 7 days of scheduled
arrival will incur a $50 fee.
The list of registered attendees has been confirmed with the RV Park. If your
arrival or departure plans change, you must first notify the RV Park, to change
or cancel your reservation with them. Then, it is very important that you send
an email to the rally hosts, advising them of your change in plans so that activity
headcounts can be adjusted. Email address is: tiffintravelers@gmail.com
Rally hosts are Frances and Tom Fonner.
The rally agenda, to include meals and activities, has been emailed to rally
registrants. Requests for required prepayment of rally fee was emailed to
registrants on October 14th and has since been remitted by all registrants.
This page may be updated periodically.
This is a peak time in the "Nation's Oldest City" as it celebrates with its "Nights of
Lights". Our chapter members did a super job of registering far in advance of the
deadline, and now we are full!
Chapter members will receive $5 per person credit (max of $10 per coach) toward
the estimated rally fee yet to be determined. And, chapter members will receive a
subsidy toward a rally meal because we have more than the magical "25 or more
member coaches booked to attend".
Final agenda provided to attendees at welcome social:
Wednesday, Dec. 5th
4:00 - Arrival day social. Bring your own beverage and optional snack to share. We will have introductions, orientation and Q & A.
Dinner on your own
6:00-9:00 – Suggested activity is to visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse Luminary Night. Free access includes opportunity to climb to the top for aerial viewing of Holiday Lights. You can have this experience before or after dinner if you time it well.
6:30 – RV Park hosts card games in the Clubhouse.
Thursday, Dec. 6th
You have the day on your own until 3:00. Use your multi day hop-on-hop-off ticket and take the free shuttle from the RV Park. Shuttle departs at 9a.m. and 10a.m. headed for the Old Jail. Return shuttles leave the Old Jail at the bottom of each hour, with the last shuttle departing at 4:30. You should initiate the return process no later than 2:30.
As an alternative to the free shuttle, you can car pool to one of the three free parking lots shown on your Tour Map. The largest and most direct access lot is at the Old Town/Old Jail Main Depot lot at 167 San Marco Ave.
3:00 – Social in the Clubhouse. Holiday punch and light snacks will be provided. There will be last minute instructions for the evening.
3:45 – Two options: Car pool from RV Park to the Old Jail parking at 167 San Marco; or, car pool to Visitor Information Center (VIC) parking garage. Parking at the Old Jail is free. From the Old Jail, you can board a Trolley Tour to take you to Stop 5 or 8 where you can get off to dine at one of the many eatery options. Last Trolley Tour departs Old Jail at 4:30. Or, beginning at 5:00 at the Old Jail, you can board the first available free shuttle to take you to the Visitor Information Center (VIC). Either option works, but the earlier option is preferable.
Thursday, Dec. 6th, continued
5:00 – 6:30 – On your own to grab a bite at one of the restaurants or pubs south of the VIC. (Orange Street, St. George Street and Hypolita Street have many options within blocks of the Visitor Center). Walk from your dining choice to the VIC, allowing 15-20 minutes for the walk if you are as far south as Hypolita Street.
.
6:45 – Be at the VIC in position with our group for our 7:00 Nights of Lights trolley boarding. Don’t be late.
Immediately after the Nights of Lights trolley ride, determine the time and departure place for you to get a return shuttle to your car if you parked at the Old Jail. Last shuttle is assumed, but not confirmed, to be 9:30.
6:30 - 8:30 – The RV Park hosts line dancing, but you will be on your Lights trolley ride.
Friday, Dec. 7th
Again, you have the day on your own to use your multi day tickets. The trolley use process is the same as was for Thursday morning.
3:30 – Social in the Clubhouse. Bring your own beverage. Very light snacks will be provided.
5:00 – Leave RV Park in your personal vehicle to have dinner at The Black Molly restaurant. 2-for-1 Happy Hour drinks. Dinner is your choice at menu pricing, credit cards accepted. This event is not part of your prepaid rally fee. There is plenty of parking. Table seating accommodates groups of 6 or 4, so identify your dining buddies. There are a few 2-tops, and there are also tables on the covered porch. Choose your table when you arrive, but please maximize the seating capacity at each table so all can be seated without wait lines.
6:30 – 8:30 – The RV Park hosts an optional activity of a campfire social with music and S’mores at the Pond Pavillion. Chairs are provided. Musical talent is welcome.
Saturday, Dec. 8th
8:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast in the Clubhouse is prepared by the RV Park for all park guests. You are prepaid for this, so don’t be late and miss out on the buffet of egg casseroles, fruits, pastries, bagels, juices, coffee, etc.
Saturday, Dec. 8th continued.
You have the remainder of the day on your own until 4:00. Use your multi day tickets as you did earlier in the week.
4:00 – Social in the Clubhouse. Bring your own beverage and optional snack to share.
5:45 – Catered dinner in the Clubhouse will include salad, entrée, dessert and iced tea. Bring optional adult beverages.
7:30 – 9:30 – The RV Park hosts an optional activity of live music and dancing at the pavilion adjoining the Clubhouse. BYOB.
Sunday, Dec. 8th
8:30 – 10:00 – Farewells, donuts and juice in the Clubhouse.
2:00 – 3:00 – The RV Park hosts an ice cream social in the Clubhouse. $1 per scoop.