Due to several factors, chiefly being the availability of the location (and so Bella can make it) the official date for the First Ever Bits & Pieces Big Ass BBQ will be Saturday, September 4, 2010 in St. Louis MO.
Now I need to figure out exactly how this event will occur. When I originally proposed it I figured I’d put it on at my expense. I was figuring 20–30 people might attend. Some pork steaks, brats, etc and some soda and a few cases of beer and we’d be set. But with the potential of at least a hundred people, heck, maybe 200, that might not be possible.
I had 221 responses to the poll. 66% said that September 4th would work for them. That’s 146 people. If 60% of those people actually show up that would be 88 people. Some will come alone, some will bring a spouse or date, and some will bring their families (families will be welcome). If everyone just brought one other person (conservative average) we’re talking 176 people. The place has held events with as many as 300 people but that’s about the maximum limit.
We’ll have to come up with a plan of some sort. I’m looking for input from you guys. Just some thought in the early stages of planning.
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Attendance – If we have to limit numbers should it be by first reservation or commitment? If so, how should we do that? I can’t just have it open to anybody, I want to know who’s coming. - A special Big Ass BBQ T-Shirt? We need design ideas. Prize for best design?
- Name tags? I would think that’s a must.
- Cost (This won’t be a money-maker for me, but it would be nice to help defray some expenses)
- Should we plan activities or just sit around and talk?
- Facility: We have a nice pool and patio area, volleyball court, a nice sound system for music, outdoor kitchen area, etc.
Ideas anyone?
Oh i wish i could go!!! This makes me very sad as i think it will be brilliant.
1)You have to have Gus somewhere on t-shirt
2)easy to make glue a pin on back of card showing name
3)Expenses why not pool some money from everyone for expenses
4)Not sure what everyone’s thoughts are on this
P.S looks lovely in photos
Hi, I don’t think that I will be able to come, I don’t know what state you are even in. But I just wanted to tell you that I’m having a pretty bad day and I got on the computer and it brightened my day because My 21st birthday is September 4th and it makes me happy to think that a bunch of strangers that like the same things I like will be celebrating with me. I hope you have fun.
I guess I should have put the location in the post. It’s St. Louis Missouri. Post updated.
I’ve always wanted to visit St. Louis and so this may be a great opportunity. I’d be coming from Ottawa Canada, perhaps even drive down. Are there any decent places to stay nearby? Could you recommend a few for us out of towners?
I’ll be providing info on some area hotels in the future.
A couple of years ago we stayed in Residence inn in St. Louis
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stlrd-residence-inn-st-louis-downtown/
It was a wonderful hotel. Next to the highway, with big buffet breakfast everyday and dinner on weekdays included in the price. The dinner even had unlimited beer and wine! From our window we could see the Arch!
There are so many fun things to do in St.Louis with the kids you should consider staying there few days!
Jonco,
I think you have to set up the date for people to Rsvp by and then think how much everything costs and split the cost between the people.
Shirt contest sounds great!
Maybe games for the kids?
4th of September is far away so we are not sure yet if we will be coming!
Oh and the place looks great!
Jonco – I think that paid reservations would be the way to determine who gets in. Maybe ten or twenty bucks a head and keep it simple (beer, brats, BBQ and sodas).
I forgot to suggest that you modify your “beer donation” link to include the BABBQ. And yes, I will definitely be there along with a friend who comes to the Steel Guitar Convention every year in St. Louis over Labor Day.
Can Gus come? I sure hope so!
St. Louis is a great town and this sounds like the event of the summer! I love that it’ll be family-friendly.
-I’m not a techie– wondering if there’s any way to do a webcam or something for the people who can’t make it (esp overseas B&Pers)?? Videos on YouTube?
-Name tags sounds easy. Maybe something unique, with a logo or the Arch…maybe big like runners wear in marathons?
-How far from the site is the Arch? I’ll probably stay over Sunday (since Mon is a federal holiday/travel day) and it’d be cool to meet up at the Arch on Sunday with any left-over B&Pers for a tour of the museum and ride to the top.
-I’d have no problem kicking in. I’ve paid a lot to visit places that are less fun and full of strangers.
-Paid reservations with deadline sounds logical for food/beer/costs/parking. A few bucks holds a spot.
-A big map or poster with a marker for people to sign in where they came from?
-We have musicians in our midst…maybe live entertainment?
-Here’s a money-maker…Get Your Photo With Gus 50¢…B&P Girls Get Your Photo With Infidel…$5.
DJ, We’d have to restrain Infidel or the price would have to be adjusted. Anybody got handcuffs and a Hannibal Lecter mask? Oh… and who pays? The B&P girls or Infidel?
How about at Sprindale Park and Pool over on 141. A real nice place to have a get toghether.
How far is the site from the airport? The Arch? Which Interstates?
St. Louis or a suburb?
Exciting!!! I’m up for paid reservations for the event, but hopefully not over 20 if possible, because those of us who will be traveling will have additional costs. As for t-shirts, definitely have a contest for best design!
I’d suggest paid reservations of $20 or so to help cover costs, and let you know who’s coming… but it seems lots of folks had that idea… so I don’t need to… =]
Wish I could go!
Might I suggest you make this a Sticky-Post so it stays up on top for about 24 hours, so people coming on around the world can see it as they pop in and out?
I would definitely come!
The date should work for me. I think attendance should be determined by paid reservation.
It should be a blast!
I wish I could come along. I’d make some of my famous muffins. Alas, you’re on the other side of the world for me.
Ana, It’s only about 9,500 miles and there will probably will be a prize for the person coming the farthest. If you leave soon you’ll make it in time.
Here’s a map of the general St. Louis area and the location of the BABBQ. It’s right off of I-270 not far from the Mississippi River. I’ve added approximate distances to major attractions There are plenty of hotels near I-70 and I-270 and some along Lindbergh Blvd. I’ve highlighted areas that have plenty of hotels. (Click to enlarge the map)
AND DON’T FORGET THE MUFFINS.
Won’t be able to make it, but I’d buy a t-shirt or 2 to support the cause. Why not make the shirts available at a reasonable profit, and use the proceeds to reduce the oost for those who can go? Also, I’d like to see a live video conference set up, so that those who can’t make it can at least participate from where we are. B&P-er’s from all over the world could log on for live feeds & chats. Maybe recommend a paypal donation to help with this expense. Even though I can’t attend, my heart will be there. I don’t have time to post many comments, but have been reading B&P daily for several months, and it’s like a very diverse extended family. God bless you, Jonco, & all my B&P brothers & sisters!
I can’t make the BBQ, but can you post some b&p logo graphic files for the t-shirt design?
Man I’m excited about this…I”m fine with the idea of $$$ to reserve your spot and whomever you are bringing.
T shirts of course are a must(whatever you need to charge), as for activities, I wouldn’t mind a few, but mostly I’d like to just chill and talk to my fellow B&P-ers, oh and (how could I forget) drink a beer or two.
Live video for those unable to attend sounds good and lots of pics to post on B%P of course.
Surely in the next few weeks we should be able to nail down the details and fine tune it.
Thank you Jon for all you’ve already done and the extra aggravation this is sure to be for you.
I know you aren’t trying to make money off this but I would hate to see you stuck with a lot of unexpected expenses. I would suggest setting a reasonable price of admission and at the event have a box/can/jar, whatever, to receive donations from anyone that would like to give a bit more. After all is paid for if any money is left over (and you would want to do this again) you’ve got a head start on next time.
Wait till you see me and Paul in Boca in the 3-legged race.
I hope you have a permit for this huge party -and plenty of portapottys – and insurance to cover damages when the rowdy Hells Angels show up- Remember Altamont? How about Woodstock? Or that party that Australian kid threw? Things can get out of control very quickly – Not to put a damper on the festivities but when drunken hordes are running through the streets naked what will you do when the police arrive?
Speaking of PinB, where is our favorite liberal lately?
Yahoooie, I’m in. Yes, money up front so Jonco doesn’t have to bare (yup) the brunt. We have to all book in at the same hotel/motel so the PaRtY can continue. No security needed, we’re not @ssholes. I’ll help you Jonco with the planning, if you want. I’m so d@mn excited now that I can’t think. What a pleasure it would be to meet you all. This is great. I got to breath now.
I, obviously can’t come either, but I will be making a donation by buy a case of beer to go towards the party! A video link would be great! Maybe a skype thing so those that can’t come could still say hello! I do expect ridiculous amounts of video footage so I can see you all together!
My husband will be leaving for the rally he is in, Peking to Paris, the day after this and I will need all the cheering up I can get! He’ll be gone for a bit more than a month!
I wish I was going to be there to hug you, Bella! I am excited and sad all at the same time! xo
Hmmmm – Bitsy’s husband will be gone for a month??
Hey Jonco…not sure if I can make it after all…
Hehehehe! Are you coming to help with the kids, Deej?
Fund raiser for Bitsy’s airfare and babysitter, plus airfare for Ana. Got a lot of planning and thinking to do here. A little over 6 months to go. Hmmmmm.
jonco…i have the handcuffs, but no mask. i think the b&p girls should charge infini $5 to get a photo with us 😉
Paul and anyother Floridians: I don’t know about you guys but I won’t be able to get up to St. Louis, anyone interested in a mini BABBQ in Fl?
If the timing is right I might be able to show up for a Florida gathering (depending on the location).
I’m in Portugal and it will be very hard for me to attend. Please take video cameras in case a fight breaks out between “liberals” and “conservatives”.
As of right now I do plan to attend, and buy a t-shirt if they are available. This will be my first vacation in years!
Ah, Chick. I was hoping that you’d say you’re going to be there. If you want to give Jonco the OK to pass on your e-mail to me then we can all make some plans. That would include Infi, Richard, Revy, P’n’B, DJ, Mikey F., Deborah and H E double hockey sticks….you all know. We gonna have some fun!
Hahahaha, Jonco and DJ!
if i go ill probably win the prize for who comes the farthest considering the fact that im in australia 🙂
guys that was very nice but I really hate having my pic taken,just call it camera shy its true,bitscared I might be able to get you a “buddy pass” if you want to think about going
peach makes it sound even better than I imagined. But portapotties?? I usually just pee in the pool.
From the diving board.
LOL @ DJ. You too?
P.S. I really laughed out loud on that one.
Jonco, is there wifi available in the area? That would dictate if we can do live video or not. If I come, I can take care of that if there’s wifi. I’ve broadcasted live events on the internet so it’s no big thing. People can chat right on the live streaming page so there’s some interactivity.
And if I do come, I can take care of party pics as well, since I only do that about 20 times a month over here in KC.
There is no wifi signal that I’m aware of. I’ve checked before and could not get a signal. With more than 6 months to go, who knows what might happen between now and then. I know you can get a USB wireless device so you can have wireless anywhere, but I don’t have that. I don’t think you can just get it for just a weekend.
Hey Jonco… If you (and the B&P readership)can line up some other musicians, I might just come and rent a set of drums to allow you to have “live” music!
This sounds like it’s going to be big! I’m ready to go!
Jonco and DJ – You have to be careful about peeing in the pool. Some folks put in a chemical that turns the water green when you relieve yourself. Trust me, I know…
Add 2 more to the list, as my husband and I are coming. Prepaid reservation sounds great, and we do hope Gus can be there. Can’t wait!
Gus will definitely be there, though he’ll be a little freaked by all the people.
An hour and a half away…..sounds like a great event. Plan on being there.
Maybe that could be one of the events guys, peeing from the diving board! Who can do it the farthest, who has the best pose, we could all be the judges, and give a prize. What kind of prize would you want to win for that? A table top fountain?
Jonco, Bella can have my email address if she’d like it.
hbshrimp, I’d be up for a Florida gathering too!
I always thought the Big Ass B.B.Q. was just a joke. It makes me so happy that you’re really doing it!
Just figured out where to go on vacation this year Jonco. Two more for sure as it’s only about a 10 hour drive from here. $$$ ahead of time is the way to go, and I would sure chip in extra to help with anything else that’s needed. Sounds like a BA good time!!
Hey Jonco,
I wanted to suggest a page of it’s own for the Big Ass BBQ. That way those who are interested/planning to attend can keep discussing, make plans, etc. Plus, after the event, it would be a great place to put the fantastic photos that will be taken!
mArNiAc, It will have a page of it’s own,
but it’ll probably be a week or two before I get to that. Consider it done! http://bitsandpieces.us/babbq/