Topic: Backyard Gathering - 2016 - Chordie Friends - August 6th!
Last Year's Gathering was a complete success as can be seen in multiple places online, but I'll just direct you to the thread here on the forums for perusal should you wish to view the details and results from last year: http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=27357
Like last year, I don't have a date set YET! But that will come, and will be updated here in the first post as we move forward.
As this is the same deal as last year, I'm pretty much going to copy and paste from last year's thread with a few little tweaks. No reason to fix it if it ain't broke!
When: August 6th (approximately 5th-7th)
Where: Our backyard (or side porch?) in Central NY State
Who: Local and Chordie Friends
What:
Backyard style gathering
Guitars
Food on the grill
Bon Fire (I'll have a chicken coop out there this year, so it shouldn't get QUITE as big as last years!)
Kid Friendly
Tent Friendly
Boat/Yak/Canoe Friendly
We'll do one day and evening dedicated as a backyard relaxed party (Saturday). This means that if you live close you bring a dish, everyone BYOB and a lawn chair if you are able (coolers make great seats). Bring your guitar or instrument of choice if you are able (or share, there's plenty of them here)! Bring along the kids if you'd like (make sure they bring their suits because there will likely be a sprinkler or slip-n-slide set up). Bring along warmer clothing for the evening (or stand within 10 feet of the fire for warmth). Should it rain, we'll move to the wrap around porch or inside. Jim and I will provide food (NY Salt Potatoes, NY Sweet Corn, burgers, dogs, SMOKED PULLED PORK, the best tater salad you've ever had in your life, fresh fruit, homemade cookies perhaps, etc).
Note: When I say, NY I do not live anywhere near New York City. This is rural, Upstate NY. We live in the central part of NY State. Send me a message for the specific address. Look up Oneida Lake, you can walk to it from my home, on the North Shore.
Of COURSE those traveling should plan to stay for the weekend and if you'd like to stay longer, we'd LOVE to have you! The yard is plenty large enough to set up tents. There are also tons of nearby NY State Campgrounds (as well as private ones). There are motels close, and Hotels close enough. We do have a little bit of space inside - couches to crash on, however we have hardwood floors so crashing on a floor may not be a best plan unless you bring along a pad. Along with one day of an outdoor party, we'll do a few days of just relaxed picking, strumming, or helping you find cool things to see depending on the turn out of course (the guys visited Fort Stanwix last year)! Nearby are streams, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, nature trails, and historic sites. The girls and I took Roger on a hike down the Salmon River Falls last year. The Boxing Hall of Fame and Baseball Hall of Fame are within driving distance as well. The Adirondacks are about a 1 1/2 hour drive, Niagara Falls is about a 3 hour drive from here, and New York City is about 5. If you want to come up and join us and go off wandering and exploring, I'll have dinner on the table for you when you get back. 
As Dirty Ed knows, the coffee is always on early in the morning, and hugs from the littlest are free. Come visit and join us for a little in person Chordie Family Style Gathering!
The closest airport is SYR. For more specific details, shoot me an email. We don't have a problem picking people up from the Airport and will drive further than the nearest one if need be!
Should no one from Chordie be able to make it, we'll have a blast without ya! 
Seriously, we plan to have local friends and family over, so I'm extending this invite to my Chordie Friends as well. We hope you can come!!
DATE HAS BEEN UPDATED!
So... who's claiming a couch? Hurry! Limited Quantities! 
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.
Once again and for the second time this year, I can not make it. And I sooo would like to! Would like to bring the whole family! Carla and the kids can go galivanting while I sit and play. One day. Please broadcast again!
