Airventure Gathering Needs a Venue

[jaredyates]

Airventure is one of my favorite times of the year, and the Bearhawk cookout has been my favorite part of Airventure for the past few years. John Thompson hosted the gathering for a while, and when he couldn't do it anymore, I worked together with Chris Owens and his friends to host the event in the campground. This worked well for three years, but the crowd has grown each year, and as of 2013, we have finally realized that the campground is not a suitable venue for that many people. So I'd like to ask for suggestions from others who can help come up with a venue for such a grass-roots event. EAA has been no help at all. The venues that they offer are priced for huge companies who have big budgets to entertain customers. Off-site venues are an option, but ground transportation is always a problem if the site is very far from the convention grounds. Last year's attendance was around 110, and we seem to be growing by around 10% each year. I have used the grocery deli as the food supplier and have budgeted around $10 per head for the total cost. Voluntary donations on the day of have always covered this cost within about $50 of the total (somewhat surprisingly). I'd be open to continuing this model, unless a new venue requires that we use their food, in which case we could go that route. If the cost is much higher than $10 per person, then we might consider advance ticket sales to help offset the risk of no-shows. So if anyone knows of a good place that could host a group of around 120-130 people preferably on the Tuesday night of Airventure that is close to the airport, speak up!

[Mark Goldberg]

I inquired of the EAA if there was a suitable site on the grounds. The response was yes but the cost is VERY high. Off the grounds there are options but transportation of everyone is a big hurdle. I am not sure what options might be. But hope someone can come with an idea. Maybe we could arrange some kind of bus to take those without vehicles to a place/restaurant off grounds and then drop them back afterward. Mark

[X'N]

It would be cool if there was something smaller at the end of the week for the guys who can't make it early in the week.

[marcusofcotton]

Jared,
Give me a call (2one8.3nine1.1844) while you are at a computer with two windows or tabs opened, one at maps.google, the other at maps.yahoo. Have both zoomed in somewhat on satellite view at Waupun Road and Knapp Street. You'll note on googlemap that when you're not quite zoomed in all the way, the view is during Airventure, by campers in the farm field to the west.

Mark J

[Wayne Massey]

You might check with Sleepy Hollow Farm. I have seen other venues set up there for gatherings during AirVenture. It’s a private campground but conveniently located and easy access from anywhere around AirVenture. According to their website, “Sleepy Hollow is able to accommodate from 1 to 500 of your special guests in a private setting.”

[tailwind]

There is a park called "South Park" that has a covered building that can be reserved, (I think)??? It is within walking distance of the airport. One could ride the airport bus to the north side of the airport close to the post office and walk from there to the park. Use google earth to view the location of the park on the north side of the airport.

[jaredyates]

Thanks for the leads. I've contacted the campground and have a message in to Mark J. Does anyone else know more about the South Park or who might be responsible for it?

[marcusofcotton]

Just came across an old card for De Relleumtdats Campground, west across the road from the Ultralight area, run by Ed Stadtmueller, 3673 Waupun Rd, phone 920-235-5702.

[jaredyates]

Great, thanks! I'll call as soon as it is a reasonable hour.

[tailwind]

Traveling to Oshkosh in the near future to attend a 90th birthday party that is at South Park. I will inquire while I am there and report back to the group.

[jaredyates]

Please do! I got in touch with Ed, but he seems rather indifferent. He says the site is first-come-first-serve. I asked if he would have objections to us having the gathering at an individual's site there, and he said it would be fine as long as we didn't bother the neighbors. This is probably what happens with the other fellow's big corn roast. The quality of one of those campsites as a venue would depend mostly on how much space the host campsite would have. I'm assuming that the density there might not be quite so high as it is at the EAA campground. While it isn't ideal, this is still the best option so far, assuming we can get someone who is camping there to be responsible for providing the ground to host on. I can do the food if we can get the use of a vehicle for the afternoon. Having food delivered gets sketchy with EAA requirements for official vendors and such.

[marcusofcotton]

Jared, that's about the response I expected. I've been camping there for quite a few years now, I don't think there will be any problem with having enough room, should be much better than the double EAA site. The Monday night activities run much louder and later than than the Bearhawk dinner, and most of the group heads out for a special dinner Tuesday night, so I can't imagine the neighbors complaining. I can plan on getting there earlier than in times past in an effort to ensure more turf. I can provide my full size pickup with topper to cart food etc.

I'd guess that if anyone felt a need to drive instead of walk, bike, scooter, etc., they'd probably be happy to accommodate for whatever their daily parking fee is ($5-8???). Seem to remember camping being about $18/night if anyone else would like to camp in the neighborhood.

For those that don't know, this is located on the farm directly west, across the road, from the Ultralight Barn.

Mark J

[peter havriluk]

Any more news about a venue? We're victims of our own success, it seems. And the inhabitants of the castle seem to behave like the convention is all about 'Busine$$', not the members. I'd hate for the gathering to die from too much success. I had helped John set up for the cookout for the first few years, and the Tuesday Bearhawk gathering is one of the prime reasons I attend the convention.

[jaredyates]

As Peter found, we did set up a new venue. If anyone else finds this thread, check the other thread for updates.

[KyBearhawk]

I tell you... I am about to stop renewing my membership to EAA since they have forgotten what the E is for. AOPA should be having the big convention with EAA sticking to the E.