Greg Gerber posted on July 29, 2010 13:35
FOREST CITY, Iowa -- The Winnebago Itasca Travelers Club (WIT) completed its 41st Grand National Rally last week, thanks to the support of dozens of local residents, the Forest City Summit reported.
Forest City and the WIT rally have had nuances in a 40-year relationship whether its the villages all over town, the long lines of RVs that used to wait on each side of U.S. Highway 69 before the rally grounds opened early or the economic exchange between the community and the rally, the Summit reported.
Fifty-six local residents worked at the rally this year, said Sheila Davis, Winnebago Industries director of investor and public relations.
Dan Rust, a high school student from Forest City, worked his first WIT rally in a variety of events from making crafts on the grounds to attending movies at the local theater.
Michelle Bunger and Deb Buffington, a teacher and daycare provider, worked with WIT youth. Bunger has done it for so many years, she enjoys the opportunity to watch the kids grow up as they visit in successive years.
Beth Bilyeu, of Forest City Economic Development office, estimated the economic impact of the WIT rally, pre-rally and post-rally contributed at least $1.3 million to the local economy.
To read the complete story in the Forest City Summit, click here.