Escapade 2026 Recap
Wicked Good in Fryeburg, Maine
WOW! There really isn’t a better way to describe Escapade 2026.
For one unforgettable week in June, the Fryeburg Fairgrounds became home to one of the largest gatherings of RVers in North America as 1,243 attendees and 565 RVs rolled into western Maine for a celebration of learning, laughter, music, and community. Long before Opening Ceremonies, RVs had already begun arriving the week of June 8, and excitement spread throughout Fryeburg as friends reunited, first-time attendees were welcomed, and new adventures began.
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"The community! We were impressed with the knowledge shared at the seminars, and there truly was something for everyone."
The Week Begins
Opening Ceremonies officially welcomed all 1,243 attendees to Mountain View Pavilion to launch Escapade 2026. Following the celebration, everyone enjoyed a true taste of Maine with homemade whoopie pies during our Maine Event Munchies before making their way to the Midway for Brew with a View and the debut of Boondockers Brew, a special collaboration with Boothbay Craft Brewery created exclusively for Escapade. Nearby, first-time attendees gathered by home region, swapping stories, sharing travel dreams, and quickly discovering why the Escapees community feels like family.
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"Opportunities to meet up with old and new people—that is truly the best part of the event for me."
Where Friendships Began
The festivities unofficially kicked off with our SNEAK Party on Saturday evening. Maine’s famous Red Snappah hot dogs disappeared almost as quickly as they could be served, creating some impressive food and beverage lines. But if there’s one thing RVers know how to do, it’s make the most of any situation. Those lines quickly became gathering places where strangers introduced themselves, swapped travel stories, compared rigs, and often walked away as new friends. A lively round of Singo kept the energy high and set the tone for the week ahead.
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"I was astonished at how many people wanted to talk to us. The feeling of community was very strong."
Learning Together
Education remained at the heart of Escapade with more than 50 seminars covering every aspect of the RV lifestyle. From technical maintenance sessions and safety topics to travel planning, solar power, wellness, and lifestyle seminars, attendees had opportunities to learn something new every day. Community Day welcomed local residents to experience Escapade firsthand through seminars, activities, vendor exhibits, and conversations with experienced RVers, giving many their first glimpse into the welcoming RV lifestyle.
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"I liked learning about different topics at the seminars. And, of course, meeting and talking with people."
Adventure Beyond the Fairgrounds
The adventure didn’t stop at the fairgrounds. Off-site experiences—including the Boothbay Craft Brewery takeover and the North Conway shopping shuttle—gave attendees the chance to explore western Maine together while creating memories beyond Escapade. Back on the grounds, two bustling vendor buildings, wellness activities, social gatherings, and impromptu meetups kept every corner of the fairgrounds buzzing from morning until night.
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"The Saco Brewery outing, riding our e-bikes around the grounds, and having serendipitous conversations with fellow RVers made for one of the best afternoons of the week."
The Heart of Escapade
Perhaps the biggest attraction wasn’t found on any schedule at all—it was the conversations happening everywhere. Morning coffee turned into an hour-long chat with neighbors. Lawn chairs appeared in circles between RVs. The Midway became a nightly gathering place where music, laughter, and stories flowed long after the day’s activities had ended. Whether reconnecting with longtime friends or meeting someone for the very first time, attendees found countless opportunities to build the friendships that make Escapade so much more than an RV rally.
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"I made lifelong friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise."
Music, Memories & Maine Nights
When it came time to have fun, Escapade delivered in a big way.
Entertainment kept the energy high from beginning to end. Southern Maine favorite Bad Habit kicked off the week with an unforgettable performance, followed by crowd favorites including Keys to the City Dueling Pianos and The Status Crowes. The fun continued midweek with what many attendees called one of the best-ever editions of Escapade’s Got Talent, before wrapping up with an incredible Slightly Salty Circus Finale featuring live music, circus performers, games, and dancing that perfectly captured the spirit of the week.
One of the biggest new additions for 2026 quickly became one of the week’s biggest hits—the inaugural Escapade Cornhole Tournament.
Thirty-two teams battled through qualifying rounds before returning for championship night, where enthusiastic crowds gathered to cheer on competitors chasing the first-ever Escapade Cornhole Champion title and the coveted name badge dangle. Friendly competition, great sportsmanship, and plenty of laughs made the tournament an instant favorite—and a tradition that’s sure to return.
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"Getting together with friends, yoga, pickleball, and evening entertainment."
Attendees
1243
RVs
565
Volunteers
156
Seminars
57
Whoopie Pies
& Donuts Shared
4288
Raised for CARE
$12453
Countless!
Friendships Made
Until We Meet Again
As the week drew to a close, Mother Nature threw one final curveball with forecasts of severe weather. Thanks to advance planning, Thursday evening’s festivities moved indoors to Mountain View Pavilion, where food vendors, carnival games, a photo booth, live music, and roaming circus performers kept the celebration going without missing a beat. Despite the rain outside, spirits remained high, and the indoor finale became one of the week’s most memorable moments.
None of this would have been possible without an incredible team of more than 150 volunteers, whose countless hours of planning, parking, registration, hospitality, seminars, entertainment, transportation, and behind-the-scenes work created an experience attendees will never forget. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and servant hearts truly made the event what it was.
Escapade 2026 proved once again that this event is about far more than RVs. It’s about learning together, exploring together, giving back, laughing until your sides hurt, dancing with friends old and new, and creating memories that last long after the last RV pulls out of the fairgrounds.
As the final hugs were shared and the last campers headed down the road, one thing was certain…
Fryeburg, Maine delivered a truly Wicked Good Escapade.
We can’t wait to do it all again at Escapade 2027 in Tucson, Arizona!
Escapade's spirit of community was perhaps best captured after Closing Ceremonies, when a recently widowed attendee unexpectedly reunited with a college friend he hadn't seen in 48 years. Their chance meeting quickly turned into plans to attend future Escapades together—a heartfelt reminder that the friendships made here often last a lifetime.
