A lively RV camper

Harvest Hosts charges RV campers $99 a year in exchange for opportunity parks and overnight stays at farms, museums, breweries, wineries, and distilleries within its 5,000-host network.

Brian Brady, who runs the business with his brothers Tim and Andy, said Brady Distillery on Northeast Pocahontas Avenue receives about five RV visitors a month this time of year. During the peak of the warm season, this happens almost once every night.

“The reason we participate is because we are Harvest Host members ourselves,” said Brady, who is traveling with his family in a Forest River Forester.

Another reason businesses participate is that Harvest Hosts incentivize RV guests to purchase the host’s products and services, leaving those offering the space with a few extra dollars. Brady’s Distillery supplies electricity and taps. RVers pay no extra fees for their stay.

Co-owner Jenny Ruedke said Fables & Feathers Winery receives about four RVs a month during the winter and about four a week during the spring, summer and fall. “It actually worked out very well for us. It’s very easy for us,” she said. RV campers register online and come to our store. People come from all over the world. There was actually a couple from Ontario. [Canada]. They stayed overnight. They come to our tasting room, try our wines and beers, and tell us where they’ve been. ”