Must-Visit June Events Near St. Cloud

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It finally feels like summer in Minnesota, and there’s no better time to fire up your RV and visit the Land of 10,000 Lakes than now. June is packed with must-visit festivals and events that shouldn’t be missed. The following are just a few of the action-packed festivities happening throughout the St. Cloud area this month.

Downtown St. Cloud Art Crawl

Summer has already arrived in St. Cloud, and that means the Downtown St. Cloud Art Crawl events are underway. A crawl through the downtown area will be held on June 10, and is set to feature artists displaying their work in more than 35 locations. Visitors will enjoy live music, performances, painting, ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, glass, sculptures and more.

Lemonade Concert and Art Fair

This year’s Lemonade Concert and Art Fair will be held at St. Cloud State University on June 23. The event will feature more than 200 arts and crafts vendors, live performers, handmade artisan foods, live music, children’s activities, summer lemonade stands and a must-see performance by the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. This year marks the 42nd year of the event, so be sure to show up prepared to shop, dine and be entertained.

Lakes Jam

The anticipated Lakes Jam festival will take place this June 23, 24 and 25, in Brainerd, Minn. The weekend-long festival features excellent campsites, a must-see car show, a water cross competition, numerous contests, countless vendors and live music by world-renowned acts, including Styx, Toby Keith, Chase Bryant and more. This must-visit event is an ideal time to enjoy nonstop music and entertainment from the comfort of your RV.

Be sure to pay us a visit at the PleasureLand RV Centers in St. Cloud and Brainerd when you’re cruising throughout the area in your RV this June. We have all of the summer camping supplies and RV accessories you need to make the most of Minnesota’s lakes, outdoor festivals, campgrounds and more.

The Best Bakeries in St. Cloud

5-25-2016

The St. Cloud area is no stranger to delicious eats. In fact, it can be difficult to decide where to dine with so many options available. But when you’ve got a craving for sweet or savory baked goods, these three bakeries are the ones to visit.

Dutch Maid Bakery

The Dutch Maid Bakery, on East Saint Germain Street in St. Cloud, is one you’ll hear the locals raving about. The massive selection of fresh baked goods make it a must-stop location for anyone, whether you’re into sweet or savory baked goods. Even better, the Dutch Maid Bakery has been family owned and serving the St. Cloud area for more than 50 years, which means you’re getting a true taste of local flavor.

Great Harvest Bread Co.

You can find Great Harvest Brad Co., at 135 Division St., in Waite Park. This bakery chain specializes in delicious, healthy, whole-grain muffins and breads made with fresh Montana wheat. It’s an ideal place to grab a loaf of bread before dinner, a mouthwatering sandwich at lunch time or a fresh baked scone for breakfast. If you’re trying to stay off the donuts and opt for a healthier morning option, Great Harvest Bread Co., should be on your radar.

Sweet Nature Gluten Free Baked Goods

You don’t have to have a gluten allergy to fall in love with Sweet Nature Gluten Free Baked Goods in nearby Sauk Rapids. Visitors rave about the cookies, cupcakes, energy balls, miniature cakes and abundance of other healthy, gluten-free baked treats. Even better, the bakery offers free delivery in Sauk Rapids, so you can have special treats delivered straight to your door during a busy work week.

Stop and see us at the PleasureLand RV Center in St. Cloud, when you’re cruising throughout the city in search of mouthwatering baked treats. We’re your one-stop RV shop for all of your spring and summer RV needs.

The 2016 Viking Epic Series 1906ST

5-23-2016

The right pop-up travel trailer could make this summer the best one yet, and the Coachmen Viking Epic Series 1906ST is that perfect RV. Forget about tent camping this season and upgrade your RV lifestyle with more storage space, comfortable sleeping areas, a full kitchen and all of the protection you need to stay comfortable in whatever the weather has to offer.

The Viking Epic Series 1906ST Floorplan

The Viking Epic Series 1906ST is the RV your family needs to enjoy every adventure to the fullest. Travelers will find a full-size insulated bunk and double-size insulated bunk at each end of the RV. At the center of the travel trailer, there are multiple storage spaces, a two-burner range, sink, and a booth-style dinette with additional storage space under the seats.

The Features You’ve Been Dreaming About

If you’re making the transition from tent camping to a pop-up camper, you’ll be blown away by the luxuries included in each Viking Epic Series travel trailer. Travelers enjoy walnut cabinetry, 100-percent adhesion residential grade linoleum flooring, residential laminated countertops, ultra comfort high-density cushions, an Ultra Comfort 4-inch heated mattress, a deep bowl acrylic sink, a 12-Volt on-demand water pump, built-in shower in most models, an easy-to-use Thetford Cassette Potti, LED interior lighting, an indoor/outdoor dinette table and numerous other features that will make you wonder how you ever camped in a tent.

Top-Quality Construction

The 2016 Coachmen Viking Epic Series 1906ST is an affordable RV, but that doesn’t mean it’s not ready for your most rugged adventures. A tubular steel frame, heavy duty dolly jack with wheel, electric brakes, radial tires, laminated high-gloss fiberglass walls, scissor jacks with pads and several other construction and design features ensure that you’ll enjoy this RV for years to come.

Stop in and tour this 2016 Viking Epic Series 1906ST and a number of other Epic Series models right here at the PleasureLand RV Center today.

A Recipe for National Hamburger Month

5-18-2016

Every May is National Hamburger Month, and that means it’s time to fire up at that grill at the campsite. However, instead of using that same old, boring hamburger recipe you’ve been using for years, consider trying something new this year. This recipe for tangy meatloaf burgers is the only one you need to wow your friends and family this May and all summer long.

Tangy Meatloaf Burgers

What you’ll need:

  • 1 small onion (1/2 onion sliced into rings and 1/2 onion diced)
  • 1 pound meatloaf mix (ground pork, veal and beef) or ground turkey if desired
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/3 cup duck sauce
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • Lettuce, sliced tomato, pickle slices for topping
  • 4 potato buns (split)
  • Sweet potato chips (on side)

Grilling instructions:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Soak the onion rings in cold water.
  2. While soaking the onions, combine the meatloaf mix with the diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, paprika and parsley. Mix in 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 1 tablespoon duck sauce, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  3. Form the meat into four 1-inch-thick burger patties. Make an indentation in the center of each burger.
  4. Brush the burgers with olive oil and grill until you see grill marks on the bottom (about 6 minutes).
  5. Mix the remaining duck sauce and ketchup together in a small bowl for brushing, then set a few tablespoons aside.
  6. Turn the patties and brush them with the mixture. Cook for 5 more minutes or until cooked through. Toast the buns.
  7. Spread the remaining ketchup mixture on the buns. Drain the onion rings, and serve the burgers on the buns. Top them with onion, lettuce, tomato and pickles.
  8. Serve with sweet potato chips on the side.

Shop for your dream RV for the summer of 2016 right here at the PleasureLand RV Centers throughout Minnesota.

The Best RV Gadgets for Spring

5-11-2016

Every new travel season means it’s time to stock your RV with certain season-specific supplies. Fortunately, we have all of the industry’s latest and greatest RV parts and accessories right here at our PleasureLand RV Center locations as well as at our online parts store. The following are a few of the latest and greatest RV gadgets available for the spring and summer travel seasons.

RV EZLevel by Camco MFG

The spring and summer RV seasons are some of the busiest, and that means you’ll probably be hopping from campground to campground throughout the upcoming months. The RV EZLevel will help you level your RV quickly and accurately, so you can rest easier and keep your appliances and electronics safely level. This easy-to-store, compact tool makes sure both axles are leveled simultaneously, so you can stop working and start exploring.

Endless Breeze by Fan-Tastic Vent Co.

The Endless Breeze by the Fan-Tastic Vent Co., is the only 12-volt fan you’ll need on your spring and summer travels. The 12-inch blade can operate at three speeds and move air as quickly as 1,000 cubic feet per minute. The easy-to-store fan stands just 14-inches high and 3-inches thick, so you can fit it just about anywhere.

VacPan Automatic Dustpan Kit by HP Products

Spring and summer travels mean sand and dirt all over the interior of your RV. Clean that grime up quickly and easily with the VacPan Automatic Dustpan Kit by HP Products. This add-on to the CV950 Central Vacuum System is easy to operate with a toe-kick switch. Simply sweep the debris and dust over to the dustpan, and it will quickly be sucked in and whisked away. This automatic dustpan lets you forget about spending half of your day inside sweeping and mopping when you could be outdoors.

Find all of these awesome RV gadgets and countless others at our PleasureLand RV Center online parts store. The online store is conveniently open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Throwback Thursday: Make Sun Tea On the Road!

5-4-2016

Sun tea is a classic summer drink with a recipe that is often passed down through generations of tea lovers. One of the best parts about making sun tea, is that this delicious, refreshing drink is easy and fun to make. Brew some sun tea on the road this spring with this simple but classic recipe.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 large pitcher
  • Ratio 1 gram tea to 2 ounces water (a tea bag is 2.5 grams)
  • Sun exposure
  • Granulated sugar (as needed)
  • Water (as needed)
  • Lemon slices (if desired)

Brewing instructions:

  1. Make sure the jar or pitcher you use is sterilized and clear.
  2. Pour in room-temperature water, then add your tea bags or loose tea. The higher-quality tea you use, the better your sun tea will taste.
  3. Cover the container loosely to keep dust and debris out, but don’t tighten it so much that pressure builds inside the container.
  4. Place the container in an area that receives abundant sunshine, such as a deck or windowsill.
  5. Make your simple syrup by combining equal parts water and granulated sugar in a large saucepan on low heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved entirely.
  6. Let the syrup cool and pour it into a bottle. Refrigerate.
  7. Wait several hours until the tea has steeped and its color is dark brown. Don’t leave the tea in the sun for more than 5 hours, but allow it to steep to your liking. Remove the tea bags, discard them and refrigerate the tea.
  8. Serve the tea over ice and sweeten it with your simple syrup. Add lemon slices as desired.

Preparing home-cooked meals and delicious drinks in your RV is easier than ever with so many luxurious RVs on the market. And best of all, those luxurious RVs can now be purchased for unbelievably affordable prices here at the PleasureLand RV Centers throughout Minnesota. Stop in and see us to browse our huge selection of RVs on clearance this spring.

May Events Around St. Cloud

5-2-2016

It’s finally starting to feel like spring in St. Cloud, and that means exciting events are popping up across the city. The following are just a few of the many must-visit events happening around the Granite City this May.

St. Cloud Community Expo

Whether you’re visiting St. Cloud for the first time or are a long-time resident, a visit to the St. Cloud Community Expo is your chance to play apart in making the city better. The expo, featuring booths from local business, chances to meet with different city departments and a special talk by Mayor Kleis, is 100-percent free and open to the public. Have a say in what makes St. Cloud so special by attending the event on May 7, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the River’s Edge Convention Center.

The Beach Boys Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary Concert

Bring in the warmer weather with the sounds of the Beach Boys at the Paramount Visual Arts Center on May 14. The event, featuring Beach Boys favorites performed by Collective Unconscious, the Half Steps and the Vees, will serve as a fun-filled step 50 years back in time. Purchase your tickets at the visual arts center for the 7:30 p.m., show.

Mai Bock Festival ’16

Enjoy a Saturday filled with beer, music, food, fun and dancing at the annual Mai Bock Festival. The festival will feature two live bands, performing all day long at the Beaver Island Brewing Company. Tickets for the event, held on Saturday, May 21, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., will cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Take Advantage of Spring Sales

There’s no better time to find an unbeatable deal on a new or used RV than now. Here at the PleasureLand RV Centers, we’re offering blowout pricing on a huge selection of top-quality RVs all spring long. Stop in and see us at our St. Cloud location when you’re visiting the city’s fun-filled events this May.

The 2016 Prime Time Avenger

4-27-2016

The 2016 Prime Time Avenger makes it possible for you to find your dream RV for a much lower price than you expected. The Avenger is available in travel trailer and toy hauler models, so you can decide how much space you need for additional cargo or simply enjoying your time on the road.

Top a huge selection of floorplans off with high-end amenities, best-in-class design elements and the Everlast construction technique, and you enjoy all of the features of a high-end RV for a price that doesn’t limit your travels.

The Best Standard Features

When you purchase the 2016 Prime Time Avenger, you know you’re getting the best amenities without having to pay extra. Travelers enjoy pre-drilled and screwed cherry finish cabinetry, mini blinds in the living and dining room, a residential hide-a-bed sofa in all slide models, residential grade carpet in select areas, an 82-inch interior ceiling height, fully vented windows, an Evergreen Select Luxury memory foam mattress, a large double door refrigerator, a high rise kitchen faucet and numerous other touches that turn this RV into a dream vacation home.

The exterior of the 2016 Prime Time Avenger features four stabilizer jacks, extended drip spouts, a hot and cold exterior shower, radial tires, marine grade outdoor speakers, a deluxe patio awning and everything you need to enjoy your outdoor lifestyle.

A Huge Selection of Floorplans

Avenger shoppers can choose from a selection of 20 floorplans. The layouts range from compact toy haulers with cargo space for kayaks, an ATV, surfboards and more to full residential floorplans with two bedrooms and a full residential kitchen. Whether you’re seeking an RV for weekend getaways or one to start your season-long snowbird adventures, there’s a 2016 Avenger to suit your wants and needs.

Stop in and see us at the PleasureLand RV Centers throughout Minnesota to shop our huge selection of 2016 Prime Time Avenger travel trailers and toy haulers today.

The 2016 K.Z. Sportsmen Sportster Review

4-18-2016-'16Sportster

If you haven’t heard of K.Z. RVs yet, it’s time to consider one as your next luxurious home on wheels. K.Z. Inc., is a subsidiary of the esteemed Thor Industries RV company, so you know you’re getting a top-quality home with the industry’s leading features when you shop their RVs. The Sportsmen Sportster line includes travel trailer and fifth wheel toy haulers that provide more space and amenities for your outdoor lifestyle.

A Variety of Floorplans

The 2016 Sportsmen Sportster is available in three travel trailer toy hauler floorplan options and seven fifth wheel toy hauler options. Whether you’re seeking a compact travel trailer with room for your small family or a massive fifth wheel toy hauler with multiple bedrooms, a residential kitchen and a huge master suite, there’s a Sportster model to suit your travel wants and needs.

Top-Quality Features Inside and Out

The luxurious and spacious Sportster toy haulers are loaded with the industry’s leading features. Travelers enjoy LED interior lighting, large overhead cabinets, mini blinds, a 5-cubic-foot refrigerator, a three-burner stove, eight tie-down rings for outdoor toys, a queen mattress in the master, a power vent in the bathroom, a systems monitor panel, solid wood framed cabinet doors, tinted safety glass windows and Tuff Ply flooring in the cargo area.

The exterior of the RV is equipped with smooth screwless baggage doors, radius truss rafters, self-adjust brakes, a radius entry door, LED lighting in the pass-through storage spaces, a heated underbelly, extra large baggage doors, an awning with a drip rail and spouts, 30-amp service and a full walk-on roof with SuperFlex roofing materials. Whether you’re lounging in bed or outside under the awning, you’re guaranteed to be wowed by the luxuries your new toy hauler offers.

Start Your New RV Lifestyle Today

Tour this brand-new K.Z. Sportster today at our PleasureLand RV Center in St. Cloud, Minn., and start your new, more adventurous RV lifestyle today.

Your Campground Check List

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Check lists are essential to the RV lifestyle. They help campers pack the correct travel supplies, prepare their RVs for the road and remember everything before leaving the RV park. This simple checklist for the campground will ensure you have all of the supplies you need to make the most of your next travel adventure.

Bedding

  • Sheets and blankets
  • Pillows

Cooking Supplies

  • Water
  • Cooler
  • Ice
  • Thermos
  • Dutch oven
  • Firewood
  • Lighter
  • Measuring cups
  • Tablecloth
  • Plates, bowls and silverware
  • Cooking oil
  • Dish soap
  • Trash bags
  • Paper towels
  • Tupperware
  • Potholders
  • Pots and pans
  • Cooking utensils (knives, spatulas, etc.)
  • Can opener
  • Cutting board
  • Ziplock bags
  • Dish pan
  • Seasonings

Clothing

  • Shoes
  • Pants
  • Shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Sweatshirt/jacket
  • Rain gear
  • Pajamas
  • Hat
  • Underwear
  • Bathing suit and towel
  • Laundry bag

Personal Items

  • Towels
  • Shower shoes
  • Soap and shampoo
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Comb
  • Razor
  • Feminine products
  • Toilet paper
  • Medications (prepare with extra if you’ll be traveling for an extended time)

Miscellaneous Items

  • Fully-stocked first-aid kit
  • Sunscreen
  • Lanterns and head lamps
  • Batteries
  • Compass
  • Insect repellant
  • Camera
  • Books
  • Maps
  • Backpack
  • Camp chairs
  • Sunglasses
  • Pocket knife
  • Water bottles
  • Duct tape
  • Phone and charger
  • Small shovel
  • Scissors

Once you’ve packed all of the necessary items for your trip, inform a friend or family member about your plans. Give them details about where you are going, the route you’re taking, when you plan to arrive and when you’ll return home. Always give them directions and let them know about alternate routes you may take. This makes it possible for someone to locate you if an emergency does occur.

Equip Your RV at PleasureLand

There’s no better way to ensure your RV is ready for the road than to bring it to one of our PleasureLand RV Center locations throughout Minnesota. Our certified RV technicians will inspect your vehicle inside and out and let you know about any maintenance that needs to be performed before you hit the road. And if you’re in need of a new RV for the spring and summer travel seasons, we offer a huge selection of the highest quality motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels.