VIDALIA &8212; Lots are filling up fast at the Riverview RV Park as managers Allan and Maureen Wittmeyer prepare for this weekend&8217;s balloon race.

&8220;This is the biggest event of the year for us, so we&8217;ve been shaping up the entire campground&8221; Allan said.

The couple both agrees that although it is a busy time, it is nice to be in one place.

The Wittmeyers worked as caravan masters for 14 years for Creative World Travel, a company based in New Orleans, before Hurricane Katrina.

As caravan masters, the couple guided trips for large groups of RV-vacationers to places like Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, Maureen said.

&8220;The storm ended that business and we decided to move up here at the invitation of Mr. (Cappy) Stahlman,&8221; Maureen said. Stahlman owns the RV park.

Allan and Maureen moved to Vidalia in June.

&8220;Now it&8217;s nice to be settled in one place by the river,&8221; Maureen said.

There are 200 lots to accommodate RVs, Allan said, and the couple expects 275 RVs to be in Vidalia for the race.

&8220;We already have reservations that will fill the park for five years,&8221; Allan said.

This is their first year to run the park during balloon races.

&8220;We&8217;ve hired extra people to help us with the guests,&8221; Allan said. Allan said the park would also extend checkout time on Sunday to allow customers to watch the Sunday afternoon flight.

&8220;There is nothing better than experience so we&8217;ll know how to prepare for next year&8217;s race,&8221; Allan said.