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I am hoping to organize a BBQ event for May of this year at my home out in Marseilles, IL(about 78 miles from downtown Chicago).

I am a novice BBQ guy who loves to learn, share ideas, and bbq with others, and I am looking to invite others out to the country for a day of bbq, beer, sun, fun, and relaxation. We live on a quiet, tree filled lot, with lots of space for people to set up smokers, wander, throw a frisbee/football, relax, eat, and drink.

All are invited, the new faces, and others I have met. The more the merrier.

The dates I am thinking of are all Saturday's in May(I work Monday-Fri, so Saturday events work best).

The dates I am thinking about are:

May 2nd
May 9th
May 16th


I guess whichever date works for the most people is the best way to go. All are good with me.

It would be BYOS(Bring your own smoker, I only own one), & BYOM(bring your own meat) to share (or any side dishes). I will have some beer, & water, etc. But people could feel free to bring their own beverage(s) of choice. That would eb appreciated

The event could start as early as folks need to in order get their meat finished, and run as late as folks are willing to hang out.

Interested people please chime in, I think this would be a fun way to get an early start to the summer, and hang out with other LTHr's. I can probably accomodate about 45-50 people, and probably 10-15 smokers easily.

I am a newbie at organizing events so any incite, or help would be appreciated.

So who may be interested, and what date might work best?

UPDATED DATE PREFERENCE:

5/2:
stevez
G Wiv
irisarbor


5/9:
jimswside
ronniesuburban
G Wiv
irisarbor
glennpan


5/16:
aschie30
ronniesuburban
razbry
glennpan
cathy2

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'm certainly interested. May 2 would work the best for me. There's a good chance I'll be out of town on the 9th and/or the 16th.

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

it would be great to have you out steve,

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'm interested ... I vote May 16th; I'm thinking, the later the better, as it might be warmer.

I'd be happy to help out by keeping track of what everyone is bringing and help to fill in any holes in the menu.

I don't really use a smoker, so I'd definitely be in on the side dish/non-smoker main-dish type-thing.

_________________
Local Beet

thanks, I would appreciate any help.

the pot luck idea is great for other items that go good with bbq.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I hate to conflict with Steve but 5/2 is the only one of those dates that doesn't work for me.

Either 5/9 or 5/16 would be fine.

Have smoker, will travel.

=R=

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Spit out the gum, sister!

Twitter: ronniesuburban

5/16 is out for me...............

_________________
Sauce on the side, always, implied, axiomatic..........never a doubt, BBQ sauce without.

Low & Slow

I'll just post the tally of what day works best & update it on the original post, and hope we can include as many as possible.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

You may be freezing your chunks of hardwood off if you go too early. May 16th sounds best to me!

good point.

I looked up the average 30 year temp for those 3 dates for Chicago(we get about 3-5 degrees warmer out to the s.w. away from the lake in the spring.)

2nd = 65 degrees
9th = 68 degrees
16th = 70 degrees

May works best for me, because June is full of prior commitments, and July will possibly be "too hot"... if that is possible.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Hi,

May 16th is preferred because the weather is likely to be better as the month progresses. I have been to Henry and Magnolia in LaSalle County area for the Morel Championship the first Saturday in May with a morning frost covering the ground. I may have a Culinary Historians meeting in the morning, but I can make it in the afternoon.

Ultimately I will likely attend just about anytime it is decided upon.

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

sounds awesome to me!
I would be interested in pitching in something!
May 2 might be out for me as I think it's daughter's college pick-up weekend-
but either of the other 2 are fine.

_________________
"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home."
~James Michener

May 16th is out for me too. But either the 2nd or 9th would be great.


Glenn

I am going to set the date for Saturday, May 9th.

I apologize to anyone that the date will not work for.

I am either going to be doing ribs(babyback), or, either getting some sausage from Milwaukee to smoke, or some cajun sausage from Louisiana to smoke. I am still on the fence.

Others thinking about attending can chime in with what they will be bringing/cooking, and any help keeping track would be appreciated.

I know May is far off, but I like to plan things in advance(gives me something to look forward to during these dog days of January, and February).

Following is the attendee list, plese respond on this thread, or PM me so I can add you, or if I left you off by accident, I formed the list based on the replys upthread, and didnt want to assume.


Attendee List:

jimswside +5
ronniesuburban +2
G Wiv
irisarbor
glennpan
Panther in the den +1
Cathy2
Reb
Rab
stevez (tentative)

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Wow! Sounds great! I will have to dust off the smoker (didn't break it out all last year) and do a pre-potluck smoke to dust off my mad skillz.

It will be a shame to put all of these renown smoker chef's back with My Famous (at least in my mind) Pulled Pork Shoulder. My brisket has been known to turn ordinary people into ravenous wolves too.

My only way I know how to do it is a full-on 16 hour smoke. I might need to come out a day early, camp somewhere close, and head over at the crack of dawn (or before). Illini State Park comes to mind but it was rather sparse for camping but will work for an overnighter.

Thanks for setting this up! Sounds like a great time!


Full Moon! Cool! Maybe i should consider the brisket?

_________________
"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

I live on almost an acre, so there is room, we can work out logistical issues like camping/all night smoking closer to the event.

I am looking forward to it.


Edit: Blago closed Illini State Park

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

HI,

Currently, I plan to attend. Very likely I will be in Chicago in the morning for a culinary historians meeting. I will bring sidedishes and/or desserts. How about pie(s)?

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

anything would be appreciated, and add to the experience Cathy, pie sounds good.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I will likely be +2 but will confirm when the date gets closer.

Thanks again, Jim, for taking this on. It should be a blast.

=R=

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Spit out the gum, sister!

Twitter: ronniesuburban

excellent, and my pleasure.. like I also mentioned any organizational help, or ideas would be appreciated.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

as to the +'s I'm likely a +3

_________________
"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home."
~James Michener

updated list: (2/9/2009): (29)

jimswside +5
ronniesuburban +2
G Wiv
irisarbor + 3
glennpan
panther in the den + 1
Cathy 2 +2
Reb
Rab
aschie30
Jean Blanchard +1
likestoeatout +1
razbry
stevez (tentative).

plenty of room left.., I think I count 5 people including me that are going to be smoking some meat, & I hope to have 10-15 so there is plenty of variety. Also I would like to keep the total attendance to 50 people.

Bringing a smoker, and some meat are not a pre-requsite to attend, non meat smokers are encouraged to come out and bring side dishes, desert, ice, plates, utencils, etc. We can get a list of who may be bringing/preparing what together closer to the event.

Also anyone that replied, & didnt specifially say the 9th was good for them I did not include them on the list, I didnt just want to assume that the 9th was ok for them. Please PM me, or post on the thread to let me know if it is a good date for you & I will add you.

thanks

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

I'm going to put this on my calendar and pray that nothing happens to interfere---I'm notorious for planning these things and having life get in the way. I'll be bringing a side dish, dessert, etc. Sounds like a wonderful day! Forgot, there will be 2 of us.

I'm in as well for the 9th. My offer to keep track of dishes that people are bringing still stands . . .

I will be bringing some type of side dish or dessert.

_________________
Local Beet

great.
I accept your kind offer of assistance(feel free to PM me as the list starts to form). I am hoping that attendees will post what they are bringing as the date gets closer, and we can all fill in any gaps.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

great, Ill add you.

I wanted to get the word out early as I know how schedules can fill up, and time flys.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Hi,

I probably won't be there early enough for set-up. I will be there to do my share in helping out as well as cleaning up. I predict Jim will be more likely to do this event again if we help out and not overburden him.

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

sounds great Cathy,

I am just glad there is so much interest, seeing as I dont live in the city.

_________________
I got a real good mind.

Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Hi,

Please add +2 to my reservation.

Thank you!

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

I can fill in with whatever needs filling-
I do great sides or apps
I also grill a fabulous butterflied leg of lamb
which might be a nice alternative to the smoked meats...
but I'm not sure about hauling along my rickety half rusted weber kettle (LOL)
I'm also happy to supply beverages
(unless Jim the Beer Guy is coming , then I defer to him)
It's so far out- I will see what needs doing closer to the event

_________________
"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home."
~James Michener