Suggestions for Saturday Night

[JohnT]

In my document, I mentioned a banquet on Saturday night, an idea that is still floating out there, quietly.

The thing is, I don't think a formal sit-down dinner is quite right for this crowd... oh, we could do it and bring it off, but, I don't know - would it be us? Would it be fun?

So this is the thread for suggestions for Saturday night - and by "Saturday night" I mean a 2-hour period, centered around eating and talking, from 7:00-9:00pm. Group dinner at some restaurant? Convention-esque banquet at the hotel? Nothing? Throw out your ideas!

[jdd2007]

Buffet

[JohnT]

Myself, I always thought a goold ol' American cookout would work. We can rent/reserve space at a local park, shanghai a few grills (if the park doesn't have pits of their own), get enough burgers and hot dogs and fixin's for 50, 100 people, and there ya go!

Advantages:

1. Cheaper.
2. Less formal, more chances to mingle
3. A wide variety of physical activities and games are available - sack races, frisbee, volleyball, whatever.
4. Far more accessible for those of us who are bringing wives/families.

Disadvantages

1. Dependant upon weather.
2. Requires more effort than a banquet put together by hotel staff.
3. Somebody is going to have to cook!

Now here's the thing... as mentioned some of us (Grandpa Troll, myself) might bring wives, girlfriends, etc. I don't want to speak for anybody else, but I'm pretty sure that Laura will be glad to do the hands-on organizing for a cookout - she'll set up the tables at the park, get plates/plasticware/food, and etc - she probably just won't cook. If a couple other ApolySpouses pitch in, it'll be a breeze.

And Laura's used to hosting parties of large people - Sophie's fourth birthday party alone had over 65 people attending (including 40 kids).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Sack races? SACK RACES?

Oh John

Besides, are you sure physical activity is something this lot would be itching for?

And with that many alpha males at the event, I'm sure someone will be manning the grill .

[ZargonX]

If you are going to go with the BBQ route (which I think is a good idea), I would highly recommend Oregon Ridge Park, which is a mere 1 mile from the hotel and has adequete facilities to handle a large cookout such as you are describing. http://www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/recr...gonridgelodge/

It's also got nice trails for hiking, and a public "beach" for swimming.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Sack races? SACK RACES?

Oh John

Just you wait until your first corporate picnic or "team-building" event.

[JohnT]

Zargon! My man!

[duke o' york]

But will Oregon Ridge Park let you hold it there? Sorry to be a prude, but we really ought to have permission first.

[KrazyHorse]

I could bring a grill if the BBQ thing is done.

[KrazyHorse]

Negatives of cookouts: drinking in the park is illegal

Positives: MEAT

[duke o' york]

What if the drinking were to be confined to, er, just outside the park?
Sure, drinking in public is illegal in Blighty too, but those who want to go to the pub afterwards are welcome to! Who knows, the tasty grub may well prevent them from having as severe hangover as they might have done otherwise.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Negatives of cookouts: drinking in the park is illegal

Positives: MEAT

Drinking in that park is. Drinking in other parks might not be. If we happen to hold it there, drinking before and after the cookout is fine.

The thing about the banquet is, the convention isn't providing alcohol there either. There might be a money bar but alcoholic drinks won't be included at all, at any function as a part of the convention fee.

[duke o' york]

Nor should it be.
I wouldn't worry about not being able to drink for the banquet. I mean, if anyone can't handle a couple of hours without booze, then I'd be astounded if they can even afford to make it to Baltimore for the conference.
Maybe you could think about hiring a room in a bar for the Friday night though. Or just get the premier drinkers among the potential attendees to do that on their own.

[JohnT]

Whatever we do on Friday night will not be an official Convention function, so there won't be any restrictions.

[conmcb25]

Pizza and beer wherever we are doing the convention demogame. Things will be getting very interesting by the time and we will need ONE MORE TURN