Grab the camera and pack-up the family and your RV.  It’s time for The Great American RV Summer Vacation Photo Contest!  Amateur photographers, you have the chance to snap your way to a grand prize  of a $100 Camping World gift card, 2^nd prize is a $75 Camping World gift card and 3^rd prize is a $50 Camping World gift card.

Entries are due by 3 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010. The judges will look for something that best represents the family-friendly RV lifestyle with your RV in the picture. Send your photos, along with a brief description of what is happening in the photo and where it was taken, and you could win! Your photos also could be included in a collection of American RV customers’ top photos that will be displayed at the dealership as well as placed in a photo gallery online.

How to enter

Send a copy of your favorite photo by 3 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010. It must be a previously unpublished photo taken during summer 2010 and includes your RV purchased from American RV.  Be sure to include the photographer’s name and phone number. Also, include the first and last names of people in the picture. Include your name, phone number and address and a brief description of where this photo was taken. Include any details that make this photo special.Please send no more than two photos per entrant.

Online: E-mail your photo to: webmaster@AmericanRV.com. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be contacted via e-mail.

By mail: Photos cannot be returned. Send your entry to Great American RV Summer Vacation Photo Contest, 201 76^th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548.  If you are selected as a finalist, you will be contacted via telephone.

All it takes is one picture to end up with some extra spending money on all your camping essentials! Don’t delay because this contest ends August 26th!

If you have any questions, please call Rebeccah at (877) 863-9527 or e-mail her at rrapin@AmericanRV.com

Looking for an activity to guarantee smiles for everyone in the family? Head down to St. Joseph, MI this weekend for the 2010 Venetian Festival. There is so much to do there, no one in your family will be bored. Throughout the weekend, listen to music, dive into delicious food and spirits, or take part in the many contests going on.

The Shadowland Pavilion will host some of the most sought after rock and country artists on tour! Enjoy Buffet at the Beach with The Last Mangos on Friday. Saturday, Tesla will be performing, and on Sunday Darrly Worley will take the stage! Many other artists will be playing on nearby stages throughout the weekend as well.

Hungry? The Taste for Southwest Michigan offers a variety of meals that will satisfy any food craving you may have. Thirsty? Beer and Wine tastings from local vendors are sure to be a hit. There is also a beer tent located right by the Shadowland Pavilion.

Enjoy competitions like the River Run & Walk, Volleyball Tournament, Sand Sculpture Contest, and the Classic Boat Display.

The Festival runs from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18.

And don’t worry! St. Joes and surrounding areas offer plenty of campground options for you and the family. Check out http://www.michigan.org/Places-to-Stay/Campgrounds/Default.aspx?city=G3516 for a complete list.

For more information on the Venetian Festival going on this weekend in St. Joseph, MI, visit http://venetian.org/index.html

This weekend, whether you’re heading north or south, make sure to stop and check out a few of Michigan’s wineries. There are some fantastic events going on you do not want to miss! And what a great way to spend the day with dad on Father’s Day weekend!

If you’re heading north, stop at the LPVA Small Plates Event on Saturday, June 19th. From 6-9, LPVA will feature seven of their member wines. You can also enjoy delicious tapas will tasting your wine. You don’t want to miss out on this exclusive event. For more information, visit www.lpwines.com

If you’re taking that RV south, you need to make an appearance at the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival in Bridgman, MI. Over 3,000 people showed up last year for this event on the beach. Enjoy wine, food, live music, and the sun! Check out www.lakemichiganshorewinetrail.com/ for more information.