The ground outside is covered with snow, but inside the Bangor Auditorium this weekend, thoughts will be on warmer weather and enjoyable times spent camping.

It’s time for the 15th annual Downeast Recreational Vehicle and Camping Show, which is northern New England’s largest show of its type. That should come as no surprise to some, since recreational vehicle ownership in Maine has grown steadily. In 1992, there were 27,636 recreational vehicles registered, and by 1999, the number had grown to 255,813. The number of motor homes grew 23 percent from 6,159 in 1998 to 7,540 in 1999.

And ownership is not limited to the retirees. A recent national study showed owners younger than 54 outnumber retirees 55-74 years old who are driving rigs. And the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reported wholesale shipments to retailers increased 18 percent (28,700 units) in September 1999 compared to September 1998. Each month of 1999 showed increased shipments over the corresponding month in 1998.

In addition to the 15 recreational vehicle lines on display, Cadillac Mountain Sports will be on hand with a display of its diverse line of outdoor recreation clothing and products, and U.S. Cellular will have its Travel Communication center set up showing cellular phone products and its roadside assistance program.

The Good Sam Club will be there as well, looking to sign up its millionth member, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be distributing recreation safety information.

Maine Campground Owners Association, which publishes the “Maine Camping Guide” detailing 239 of its members’ services, will have applications available for a $500 scholarship for students studying for a career in outdoor recreation. This year it will be awarded to a Maine resident with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5, with consideration given to employment record, extracurricular activities and financial need. The scholarship will be awarded this year in memory of Francis Montville.

As always, there will be a large selection of campground brochures available to help you plan this summer’s trips.

Recreational vehicles will take on a new dimension in Maine Aug. 18-29 when Brunswick Naval Air Station will host the Family Motor Coach Association’s semiannual convention. The expectation is that 8,000 to 10,000 recreational vehicles will roll onto the base, along with 16,000 to 20,000 association members.

Statewide, the economic impact of the event is estimated to be at least $30 million. “This will be the biggest single [economic] event that the state of Maine has ever hosted,” BNAS spokesman John James told The Brunswick Times Record last June.

The Family Motor Coach Association is expected to use 35 acres on the grounds of the base, along with the interior of Hangar Five, where the trade show will be held. The association will bring onto the base 550 golf carts, 10,000 chairs, hundreds of tables and 14 generators the size of tractor-trailers. In the days leading up to the event, the motor coaches will begin to arrive, James told the Times Record.

“They will occupy every school parking lot, every campground, for 50 miles around,” he said.

Such a large influx of visitors with a lot of free time should mean spinoff trips to other areas within the state.

Doors for the Bangor show will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4.