GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Jacksonville Fall RV Show at the Clay County Fairgrounds has a few firsts attached to it.

It’s the first major recreational vehicle show held at the fairgrounds. The show is hosted by the Florida RV Trade Association’s Northeast Florida chapter from Oct. 10-13.

The fall show was held at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium near the University of North Florida last year, garnering a crowd of about 4,600 people, according to FRVTA President Ken Loyd.

The St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton were subject to Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma in 2016 and 2017. The RV Mega Show at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center usually draws 10,000 people Loyd said.

“The main thing is to show people what new units are out there and what’s available for the general public whether it’s a small 2,500 pound unit, or a huge fifth wheel or motorhome,” said Loyd, who is also the assistant general manager at Flamingo Lake RV Resort.

Loyd said FRVTA were drawn to the fairgrounds because it was an open area that hadn’t hosted a major show. He estimated between 100-200 RVs would be on display.

“What I’ve noticed is that everything at the Clay County Fairgrounds has a great following,” Loyd said. “There’s a good base out there.”

The RV show is the Clay County Fair Association's first non-fair event. The association is a nonprofit that organizes the Clay County Fair and owns land near the fairgrounds; the county owns, maintains and rents the fairgrounds.

The association's general manager, Tasha Hyder, said most of the fairgrounds’ events were from third parties. She said it was intriguing to add another community event to the county.

“(The association) usually focuses on the fair itself, so this is the only event we’ve co-sponsored so far,” Hyder said. “I don’t think there’s been anything similar to it. It’s exciting to bring a new event to the area.”

Loyd said there’s a great amount of camaraderie, community and support.in the RV community. Loyd said at an RV campsite the more experienced RV owners give tips or help when they see somebody struggling with hookups.

“It just amazed me when my wife and I started doing it, how everyone always looked out for each other,” Loyd said. “It's a real positive for the industry that more and more people are looking to get into it and it’s starting with younger couples and families with small children.”

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 10-12, and 10 a.m, to 4 p.m. on Oct. 13. Adult admission is $5 and children 12 and younger get in free. Seniors receive a $2 discount Oct. 10, and military and first responders receive a $2 discount on all days.

The five First Coast RV dealers represented at the show are the following: Campers Inn RV of Jacksonville; Creative RV; Dick Gore’s RV World; General RV; and, Ocean Grove RV Supercenter.