Bay Area BYCers!

[cherylcohen]

Well by leghorn standards, still a bit skittish but I've been holding them so hopefully that will help

 

[clio]

Thanks, Dawn ... Really nice to see so many of us at the lunch and then at the Heirloom Expo.

The organizers did a fantastic job. The pumpkin displays were outstanding

Has anyone ever gone to the Fair Oaks Chicken Festival? Fair Oaks is just a surburb of Sacramento. It's not a chicken show with judging, etc., but more of a street festival/fair .. it sounds interesting, but my husband is thinking of wine tasting in Healdsburg instead .... here's the info about the festival:

WHY DO CHICKENS CROSS THE ROAD? To attend the Fair Oaks Chicken Festival, of course! Come join us for the celebration of the chickens @ the 6th Annual Fair Oaks Chicken Festival September 17th from 10am-6pm @ the Fair Oaks Village 10219 Fair Oaks Blvd. Fair Oaks, CA 95628 There will be food and craft vendors, kids park, micro brew, country breakfast, live entertainment and much much more!. For more information please visit us online @ www.fairoakspark.org

 

[wolftracks]

Came in to add a link for the festivale, but ya beat me to it. LOL

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
HEY Melina!

Long time no speak for real, how are things? How are your chooks?

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Anna, I'm very glad to hear about Willow and to know that your flock is safe. It would have been terrible to learn of something that was contagious, etc.

That said, Cheryl... have you heard anything from UC Davis about your Orpington hen? Didn't you send her off around the same time as Anna?

 

[jeremy]

Alright everyone, I wanted to officially announce that I feel it's time to start planning the 2011 Bay Area Regional Meet Up/Chickenstock! Anyone and everyone who is willing to help put this event together would be greatly appreciated. Last year we had a wonderful turnout and a great time at the event and I would like to make this year's party even better.

That said one of the biggest questions that's asked is "Where"? Where could we have this large of an event, where could host a massive amount of chicken enthusiast from the Bay Area?

Well I think I may have found a wonderful, centrally located site for this year's meet. The Oakland Zoo in the Oakland Hills has several beautiful outdoor picnic areas that can accommodate large numbers like we're expecting. There are two specific picnic areas that I feel would be best for our group.

The first is called 'Lion Lookout' and is located at the top of a hill with great views of the Bay, dwarfed by giant evergreens that accommodates 130 people.

The second area is called 'Tiger Timbers', it's on the opposite side of the hill from 'Lion Lookout' and is massive, accommodating up to 150 people.

Both sites are outfitted with lots of tables.

Inbetween both areas is a wonderful playground to keep the kids busy.

Restroom facilities are conveniently located at the bottom of the hill close to both parks.

Here's a map of the zoo, the two picnic areas are circled in red.

Both parks have large 3' X 8' BBQ grills and picnic table style seating. The Zoo requires that all trash be put into appropriate receptacles but they will take care of hauling away the waste.

The price to rent 'Lion Lookout' for the entire day from 9 AM to 5 PM is $250.

The price to rent 'Tiger Timbers' for the entire day from 9 AM to 5 PM is $300.

Now that may seem like a lot of money for picnic grounds but if you think about it, the price is pretty attainable. If 10 people were to pitch in the space could easily be paid for. Last year I believe we had close to 80 guests at the party so I'm sure if we pulled together we could rent the site at a very low cost to those contributing. I'm willing to put down $50 myself to ensure that we can reserve the site.

I've contacted the Zoo and most weekends in October are still available for rental but we need to make a decision as to what weekend we want to have the party on soon to ensure that we secure a picnic site.
Let's chat folks, what do y'all think? What are the pros about doing the meet up this year at the Zoo? What are the Cons? What are your comments, questions, concerns?

 

[jeremy]

Also, I have started a thread for the event here.

I do feel to avoid confusion the initial planning of the meet up should happen here on the Bay Area thread, once we have details finalized we can begin posting them to the other thread.

 

[wolftracks]

Ah drats, I was hoping to be able to go.

That area is nice and big Jeremy. I not only worked at the zoo, but we held lots of BDay parties there in my family.

I can still help in some way from here, but October is a busy month for me and the family.

I probably still have contact info lost on my pms from members too.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Nothing is set in stone yet Kim! I just suggested October again because that's around when we had it last year, if we have to rearrange dates to ensure a large amount of folks can make it, we will!

 

[clio]

Quote:
Nothing is set in stone yet Kim! I just suggested October again because that's around when we had it last year, if we have to rearrange dates to ensure a large amount of folks can make it, we will!

Jeremy,

Great location! I'll PM separately ..

Thanks for starting the organizing ... remember, the weekend after Cheryl's last year was when it started to turn cold and the rains began!