Okay my last all-caps message, I promise.
This is shaping up to be a big event, folks, and I just want to update everyone on some things that are planned this weekend.
Thursday, people start showing up. 4Cruizn' and I have a little tradition of hitting up a local brewery for dinner. Anyone is welcome to join us. I'm hoping he'll agree to go to Hershey with me and check out Troegs - they're a really good brewery.
Friday people start showing up at the fairgrounds EARLY. I've heard of some members getting there at 6am. This isn't necessary of course - whatever works for you. But note that traffic will be getting hairy around 8am, if not sooner. From our hotel, the turnpike is a pretty good bet. It doesn't cost too much (I honestly don't remember how much) but it dumps you off pretty close to the fairground, and runs right past our hotel.
Friday lunch you're on your own. There are TONS of food options at the fairgrounds. Prices are reasonable, but understandably "marked up" a little bit.
Friday dinner we haven't really discussed, but in the past we've done a pizza gathering at the hotel. It's cheap - usually $5 or so per person. My wife has always taken the charge of going to pick it up. We have a good number of people staying at the hotel this year, so we might try to go this route again. Other than that, you're on your own.
SATURDAY LUNCH IS PROVIDED BY MY FAMILY! And this year we have some special stuff planned, so PLEASE, please please plan to be at the tent at noon SHARP on Saturday. Don't be late!
If you don't want to eat the cheesesteaks and broccoli salad (and LOTS of beer) that we're providing, that's totally fine, but please be at the tent regardless!! We have some "current events" to discuss and I'd really like everyone to be there.
Saturday dinner is at Dodge City in Harrisburg.
The entire club is encouraged to attend! The owner Doug remembers us fondly from last year and is looking forward to our return. Yes it is probably going to be something of a challenging night for them to try and serve us all in a timely fashion, but I suspect that - same as years past - we'll have a really fun time regardless. You can check them out at DodgeCityRestaurant.com if you'd like. After this most of us head back to the hotel and sit out in the parking lot drinking beer and laughing until our guts hurt. Or until it's 3AM, like last year...
Most members leave Sunday morning. I always leave depressed, knowing that the two most-fun days of the year are behind me. The tent IS reserved through Sunday, though you'll likely find other people hanging out in it. Sunday is usually a free-for-all at the fairgrounds.
I think that covers it all. Sorry this ended up being so long. The important part of it is Saturday lunch -
PLEASE BE AT THE TENT AT NOON!! I'll try to get through what we have planned as quickly as possible so that we can eat and/or you can go on your merry way!
THANKS, AND SEE YOU THERE!!!