Sewandgrow's
Third Annual
"Friends of a Feather"
Poultry Party
Sunday
May 3rd, 2015
Turlock, CA​

This page will serve as a one-stop "shop" for all information regarding the party. It will be updated regularly and be in conjunction with the active thread: Chat Thread (The running lists will be incorporated into each section)





The Date is Set!!! ​


For the third year in a row, Karen aka @sewandgrow will be opening her gates in Turlock to her fellow poultry enthusiasts & their families for a day of fun, food and feathers! Old friends, new ones and those we're hoping to meet soon are invited. It doesn't matter if you have no birds, one bird or one hundred (or more...ahem.), there will be plenty to do, lots of great like-minded people to meet, yummy food to eat and possibly much to learn. As before, the theme of the day is:

"Friends of a Feather Flock Together"

Sunday
May 3rd, 2015
11am - ?

Potluck Lunch - Noon
Roundtable Introductions - 1:00pm
Raffle & Egg Swap Drawings - 2:30pm
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As we have done the past two years, we will have a potluck lunch. Karen will provide a main meat dish - chicken of course! We are asking attendees to bring their own beverages and also sign up to bring side dishes and desserts to fill out the menu. We are requesting RSVPs if at all possible so we can plan accordingly. This thread is to get this party started! And also for questions, comments and lots of RSVPs!! If you prefer, PMs may be sent to our "Hostess With the Mostess" Karen @sewandgrow , myself (Jules) @fortyfivefarm or our co-conspirator Dyann @Chooklet . (The address will be sent out via PM.)

New this year is a "party page" to accompany this chat thread. This is an effort to have all the information easily found without having to dig back through a ton of posts. It will be updated regularly with all details and current lists. It can be found here: Party Page

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Details to make things run a little smoother and answer most questions in advance...

FAMILY FUN: This day is for the entire family. The large pool area will be open for any who would like to swim, bring your towels. We have a few fun games planned as well as a sno-cone machine, cotton candy maker and a popcorn cart.

FOOD: Karen will be providing the main chicken course. Bring your own beverages and please let us know what you may be bringing so we can begin filling out our categories.

Main Course: Chicken - Karen @sewandgrow

Side Dishes: Chili - Jules @fortyfivefarm

Desserts: Cupcakes - Jules @fortyfivefarm

ROUNDTABLE INTRODUCTIONS: At the first party Karen had attendees introduce themselves and briefly tell us about themselves and their birds or interests. This was a very popular segment of our day and we will bring it back this year. Don't worry if you are on the shy side, it's not required - but it is fun :)

DISPLAYS/DEMOS: We have decided to not do live demonstrations this year as we feel the time constraints won't allow us to fully appreciate our presenters and their subject. We would like to showcase static informational-only displays though. We have a couple ideas we're working on but can definitely use your help. If you (or your 4Her would care to share your project, please let us know & we can make sure to have a place for it in the display area.

RAFFLE: Another very popular and exciting part of the day is our raffle. Each person in attendance will receive a free ticket when they sign the guest register. The idea is to then sign it and place the ticket in a numbered bag that corresponds to the item they'd like to win. While we have several items already collected for the tables, we ask people to please bring items (preferably poultry related) to donate and add to the variety and excitement. The bonus for donating is that for each item you donate, you score another raffle ticket!

EGG SWAP: New this year is a dedicated egg swap (thank you Shantih for the idea!). It will be in 1/2 dozen increments, with no limits on how many you donate/take home. For every 6 PUREBRED eggs that you donate to this swap, you get one ticket which will guarantee you will take home 6 PUREBRED eggs from a different source. Immediately following the regular raffle (which will still contain other donated hatching eggs) we will start drawing tickets. In the order drawn, ticket holders will then choose a 1/2 dozen to take home and turn into chicks! As this is a new feature, feedback and suggestions are welcome.

VENDORS: If you are a vendor of POULTRY-RELATED items, you are welcome to set up a small table - NO LIVE BIRDS/ANIMALS please. There is no fee, but you are asked to donate to the raffle instead. You will need to bring your own tables and all items you need. You must also man your table yourself. We are not responsible for your display or any merchandise/property.

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AI Threat / Biosecurity Concerns
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With the very real threat of Avian Influenza looming over all of us as well as just basic biosecurity issues, it has been decided that there will be no live bird or chick sales/displays at the party. In keeping with this, we ask all partygoers to stay in the pool/gazebo areas. There will be no coop tours at this time.

All is not doom and gloom...We always encourage hatching egg sales and/or exchanges. Also due to there being plenty of shaded parking areas to the south of Karen's driveways, PRE-ARRANGED swaps or sales can be done OFFSITE.

We just ask that NO birds be brought onto the property. Also be sure to always wash or disinfect your hands before & after handling birds and/or eggs.

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Any questions, comments or concerns can be sent to: Karen @sewandgrow , Jules @fortyfivefarm or Dyann @Chooklet