PTO PikNik 2016

[SandyM]

It's about that time. Time to get the ball rolling for a great summer event. I've gotta start somewhere with the planning so I'm throwing some stuff out there and looking for a lot of feed back and suggestions.

Please remember this is just the beginning stages of trying to get things sorted and I'm just getting my ideas out there and I fully anticipate a variety of opinions and suggestions to come flowing in.

Graphical Location
Obviously we need to consider travelling ... Hopefully there is a middle point for people and it can work for everyone who wants to attend. Ottawa to Windsor is quite the broad range, but surely we can get it sorted.

Personally - don't hate me Easteners - but I think the bulk of travelling will be on you. The majority of members I believe are more down this way.
But if I'm wrong, maybe the longer commute will be on the southern Ontario residents.
Is carpool is an option for members? If so, maybe that can be offered up once we know where and when.
Maybe some forum members would be willing to put others up for a night if the location is near them for the longest of travellers.
Suggestions for a town/city to hold our event is needed!!


Type of Location
Do we want somewhere that is also a camp or RV friendly for over nighters?
Will there be over nighters?
Do we want a lake accessible?
Assuming entire family units, for the most part, will be attending I was thinking lake access is good, especially if hot humid weather.
Do we want somewhere that allows alcohol? (Not even sure that's an option, but if it's wanted, I'll seek it out)
Do we want a provincial park?
Or do we want more of a park/facility that is meant to accommodate functions.
Ultimately I think anywhere we go will be a cost of some sort ... Even if just to enter a provincial park, anyone oppose?


Timing
Do we want a lunch or a dinner? (Both?)
Do we want a weekend booking?
Is a long weekend preferred?
Do we want a middle of week booking? (Once school is out of course)
First date for considering could be as early as May 22nd (Victoria long weekend) right up to Labour Day weekend.
I am unavailable August 13th to 27th so hopefully in there isn't the final date. I would love to meet everyone but definitely wouldn't hold up the festivities.
Once I get a preference on timing here, I suggest the best possible dates that match and we can narrow it down. Poll?

Allergens & Food
Are there allergies to consider? (Kathy, how can we handle your allergy? Peanut free event I'm totally in support of)
I'm hoping everyone is good with a buffet style lunch/dinner. Everyone can bring a contribution(s) and I just know it will be some of the best food we've eaten. Mmmm I'm hungry just thinking about it. Once we get to that point, maybe we can start a thread and people can list the item(s) they are bringing to help others decide what to contribute etc.
If you're offering up roasted raccoon, skunk or possum, please label your food for people like me. No fibbing! Just saying.

I'm also thinking that if you make an allergen free food, perhaps you could mark your food free of that allergen to allow for others to share. For instance my contribution will be soy free and peanut/tree nut free so persons with those allergies or avoidance in their diet could consume safely. I'm assuming Al would be making some gluten free choices, so that could be an option for others. (Of course cross contamination is always a concern)

Games
Baseball?
Volleyball?
Pin the feather on the Turkey?

Misc
Does anyone need a lift or a pick up from a trains/bus station?
Do we want a rain date?
Who can bring a BBQ? ... Thinking we will need a few.
Anyone have canvass covers? - like overhead shelter (word is lost in my brain)
Tables? (I have a few folding tables to bring)
Chairs? (Will bing extras)
Fireworks for the evening? Of course would be subject to site regulations, length of our stay etc.

Looking forward to getting the ball rolling. Please suggest anything and everything !! I want this to suit everyone's needs/wants as much as possible, make everyone happy and a great time had by all!

If there are some dates that don't work for you at all, feel free to post them And we'll do our best to accommodate.

[goatgal35]

Over-nighters don't work for me Somebodies gotta feed all the critters. Car pooling sounds great. More time to visit during the drive.

[TomK]

I'm in..it'll be an overnighter for me regardless of location...let me know how to help out...

[JimW]

As long as date works I am in.

I would suggest for simplicity of the event, just have a daytime thing, atleast for the 1st one. Anyone traveling a distance, which I will probably be one, could make arrangements alone or in small groups to crash at someone's place or camp or get a motel room....

For locations..... no real suggestions..... if looking in south end more, maybe the Kitchener/Cambridge area? Still quite a drive for eastern ontario but atleast close to 401/407 and not as far as Niagara or Lake Erie areas.

But I will pretty much drive anywhere.

JimW

[kdms]

Make it a weekend afternoon summer thing and I'm in with the kiddos in tow. Considering that it's around an 8hr drive from Ottawa to Windsor (but maybe that's just the way we drive lol) somewhere on the Toronto to Barrie axis (4hrs from either end) might be fair for everyone. For me it'll be an overnight, but I've got a little camper and am looking for an excuse to use it.

We're also not short on portable equipment usable for outdoor events if needed.

Karen

[SandyM]

Excellent!!! Thanks for the feed back so far.

Let's have some more please.

[windwalkingwolf]

Lots of us here in the East, I think the mids and the westerners have it too easy, what with all your clubs and shows and fairs and sales right near you LOL!! If you want to get out of your comfort zone and brave a semi-major roadtrip, I volunteer to host :) I'm about 4 hours from Toronto by train, or 6 hours if I'm driving, but I take the roads less traveled. I've got lots of property, lots of room to spread out, lots of room to camp, and five or six spare beds for the folks who's bones can't really take camping anymore. I will bonfire you, and put you up, but you'll have to BYOB and a couple lawnchairs :) Anytime in summer is good for me, but I'm a fan of July.
If East is outvoted by the rest of the province, Toronto is about as far as I can go. And by "Toronto" I mean, "Nowhere in spitting distance of Toronto". Barrie is tolerable. If I have to get on the 400 for ANY reason, for ANY length of time, it ain't happening. Whatever genius engineer dreamed up that highway should be shot. Barrie/Georgian Bay areas or Lake Simcoe are gorgeous, reasonably rural areas where I'm sure we can find somewhere to make some noise without raising any eyebrows. Yes to booze. A potluck is a definite must, we need categories (entree, main, dessert, etc.) to list our names under and what we're planning to bring to make sure the meal is well-rounded. A bonfire is a plus in my books, plus I'm an evening person, so supper is better than lunch. Anybody musically inclined should bring instruments. We'll sit around the fire eating marshmallows, drinking beer (or whatever), listening to music and talking chickens...sounds like my idea of heaven! I'm not big on games, but maybe a draw for prizes would be fun. And by prizes I mean, fertile eggs LOL, a random draw of unlabeled eggs would make sure that no one person hogged all the good ones, and it would be fun to see what popped out and compare notes later. I think there's quite a few members who would have children in tow, so ideally we would have some supervised activities set up for them. I'm not good with OPK (Other People's Kids) so I do NOT volunteer for that LOL, but I'll take my turn with a small group if I have to. Though Duct tape may be involved :D

[SandyM]

That's absolutely frigging stellar Jan!! I'd definitely travel your way for the event. Let's see what others have to say. Sounds like an offer we can't refuse!!

I don't like May to October. Anyone want a PikNik in February? :running-chicken:

[ross]

I think a ride in the "chicken plucker " could keep the young guns busy Jan
Helmets a must . Luck

[TomK]

Fantastic offer, Jan..as an "eastener" i cannot complain but i will go just about anywhere to meet you folks all in one place...and I'm up for a day from noon on into the wee hours...food, games, visits and libation...i love the door prize idea...brilliant to mix it up... :running-chicken: