The History of Escapees Northeast Chapter 3
This all started in 1980 when 3 couples, the Fairfields, Bennetts and Kimballs came together at a campground near Bangor, Maine for their first Rally. The Fairfields while camped at the Slabs in Niland, CA. in 1978 heard of SKPS. After they attended the second Escapade in Quartzite where they met Kay and Joe Petersen who founded Escapee Club. The Petersens suggested they have a Northeast Rally and this was held at Potters Campground. The Fairfields continued to add members and have Rallies in 1981, 1982 and in 1983 featuring the “Downeast Clambake” at the Red Barn in Holden, Maine. The reputation of the Clambake reached as far as California. In 1983, 29 families attended the Northeast Rally for 6 days of friendship. In 1984 at the Northeast Rally, the Petersens were in attendance and they Chartered Northeast Chapter 3. There were 34 SKPS in attendance, and George Fairfield became its first President. The Chapter adopted skis and added these to the National Logo of a house in a wagon and it became Chapter #3's official badge. The 10th Anniversary was held in August 1994 at the Red Barn Campground in Holden, Maine, with 41 members. A tour of the Cole Transportation Museum, and the Twin City Cloggers entertained. There were 3 Rallies per year as membership grew. One in late February in Florida, one in New England Area in June and the Downeast Clambake and Annual Meeting in August. As members aged out, or members passed, the group dwindled and one rally in August remains, it was moved to Pumpkin Patch and renamed “LOBSTERFEST RALLY”
This all started in 1980 when 3 couples, the Fairfields, Bennetts and Kimballs came together at a campground near Bangor, Maine for their first Rally. The Fairfields while camped at the Slabs in Niland, CA. in 1978 heard of SKPS. After they attended the second Escapade in Quartzite where they met Kay and Joe Petersen who founded Escapee Club. The Petersens suggested they have a Northeast Rally and this was held at Potters Campground. The Fairfields continued to add members and have Rallies in 1981, 1982 and in 1983 featuring the “Downeast Clambake” at the Red Barn in Holden, Maine. The reputation of the Clambake reached as far as California. In 1983, 29 families attended the Northeast Rally for 6 days of friendship. In 1984 at the Northeast Rally, the Petersens were in attendance and they Chartered Northeast Chapter 3. There were 34 SKPS in attendance, and George Fairfield became its first President. The Chapter adopted skis and added these to the National Logo of a house in a wagon and it became Chapter #3's official badge. The 10th Anniversary was held in August 1994 at the Red Barn Campground in Holden, Maine, with 41 members. A tour of the Cole Transportation Museum, and the Twin City Cloggers entertained. There were 3 Rallies per year as membership grew. One in late February in Florida, one in New England Area in June and the Downeast Clambake and Annual Meeting in August. As members aged out, or members passed, the group dwindled and one rally in August remains, it was moved to Pumpkin Patch and renamed “LOBSTERFEST RALLY”
