Swim Fest is a fundraiser competition among Down Home Ranch residents that takes place at the Swim Center. It's a fun event with a lot of families and kids who enjoy the races and then grab a burger or hot dog before jumping in the pool. Tours of the new Veranda House–our new community center–will be given after lunch. Money raised at Swim Fest is used to send Ranchers to a convention of their choice and to fund their annual winter vacation–which for several years has been a Gulf of Mexico cruise. (To our surprise, a five-day, four-night cruise costs less than a similar vacation to San Antonio.)