It's over!
With your indulgence I am going to post a few thoughts.

First, THANKS to all who attended - Steve (omotm), Jules (Jdarden1963), James (James), James(JD_Smith), Meghan(Cobb4861), Dan(Mindendadof6), Frank Resch (Texas Rare Fruit Growers Assn)

It is a lot of work to do one of these things, even after all the upfront is done.

You cannot do this without help.

We brought a whole new world of figs to East Texas, North Louisiana, Eastern Oklahoma in that the people in this part of the world had never known the diversity of the fig species, now they have been introduced and the gene pool just got a lot better.  The questions about fig species used to be "Is it a Celeste or a Brown Turkey?", "You mean there are different types?"

I hope we have increased our forum membership by introducing the forum to a lot of new people.

Steve (OMOTM) has the most beautiful trees I have ever seen, next year he does the presentation.
BTW- On his own he found the best BBQ in town, and it is not easy to find.  The owner took us to show his fig tree, the start of Steve's tree tour.

Our City event coordinators were amazed that so many people were interested in figs and would travel so far to attend.

You put a bunch of Figsters in a room they will talk about figs, and talk, and talk, and BTW, TALK about figs.

The highlight of the event, the two boys pictured, One who won a drawing, one got a tree.  BTW- I don't know where he got the tree but those boys are Nephews of a city commissioner, every little bit helps.

We will do another next year (notice I said we, now I have volunteers)

Next year I will have a "real" Speaker or if lucky, speakerS

I needed a videographer/photographer.

I needed more Vendors

The city made a mistake that cost us a lot of sales by vendors, 2 weeks ago they shutdown the vendors at the local farmers mkt that were selling home processed food (Fig Preserves) a lot of people asked for them.  the Governor trumped them with legislation that will go into effect Sept 1

The event needs to be in middle of fig season, here it is Mid July

Meghan and Jules, both recent additions to the forum family, appeared to be totally amazed at the trees and the generosity of the members, fun to watch this kind of thing.

I would like to attend a backyard event, my yard, or yours

We, as a group, need synergies with other like minded groups, Master Gardeners, Rare Fruit Growers assn, etc.

Your local County Extension Agent needs to know someone in each area that knows something about figs, most of them don't and appreciate the supplemental knowledge.

Media outlets need events for fodder/filler during the summer

If there is one of these held in your area please attend, it really helps to have you there

THIS IS A WONDERFUL HOBBY/PASTIME and I am indeed fortunate to have been able to meet so many of our members at the Louisiana get together last year, the LSU Field Day, and our get together.

Thank you for your indulgence

It sounds like it was a blast, I always have to miss the fun because of work. I'm glad everything went well!

Danny the event was outstanding.  And you are right.  I have been truly amazed with the kindness and willingness of the forum members to share their knowledge and fig tree's. I hope that my practice with cuttings pays off so next year I can bring back some tree's to share with other members. 

Dark, moist, and LEAVE IT ALONE!  I think I can do that.  :)

I second, Meghan's opinion!  Danny, you were awesome.  =)  I am up to 23 trees now with only 2 duplicates.  The generosity of the members here, with their time, knowledge, cuttings and trees is amazing.  As I've stated before, until last year, I had no idea there was more than 1 type of fig and now to have 21 varieties in my very own yard is just.....well, let's just say, I'm in fig heaven....lol.  I learned so much this weekend and met some great people.  Next year, I hope to be able to share some of my trees with others.  I know there were others who couldn't be there due to work, travel and/or other obligations.  Maybe next year, we will have twice the people.  Danny, holler at me next year and I will do what I can to help.

Congratulations!  I'm glad it was a success.

Congratulations! It sounds like it was a big success!

You'll probably double the attendance size next year.

Now to start planning for the 2014 Big Fig Gig.

Congrats on a great event, Danny!

congrats!
Glad it was a success. Hope to make it next year

Congrats to Danny and all who made it possible. I will put
next years on my calander as soon as the date is posted.

James, I had the same thought about my plants and over watering.  But mother nature wouldn't let me change yet because we have had rain every day since then.  I up potted the black madeira that Jules brought me only because I was worried the bag might be holding too much water and the others have been left in the compost bin to do as they will. 

Great job guys, It's nice to see fig gathering events popping up through out the country, meeting forum members and sharing figs and tips. 

danny, your post was no surprise. there was never any question in my mind that you'd have a successful event. i bet this becomes an annual tradition, i just wish you weren't so far away.

congratulations, dear heart.  , 

Meghan and James, I, like you, have been guilty of over watering.  And also like you, Meghan, The Good Lord apparently didn't want me to stop just yet as it has rained here everyday too.  Last night it rained for several hours so I'm doing inspections this morning to see how everything looks.  Let me know how the Black Madeira does.  Was the bag holding too much water?