Hey guys, just want to see if there are any folks that would like to attend a fig gathering in Charlotte?  I am willing to host it.  It would be the first Southeastern Fig Gathering

WHEN?
If so, what's the best day and time for you?  My preferrence is any Saturday anytime.

Is late May (after Mother's day) a good time?  Or is September better?

LOCATION
I found three great places to host it.  It's in Charlotte.   

Location 1  - Limited to just a small club house with tables, chairs and a bath room. This location could be perfect depending on the number attending.  However, the managing assocation might give it to us for next to nothing if we open it up to the community.  I'm not sure this is a good idea.  Comments?  I've already donated some large fig trees last year to the assocation and now they want me to push for community involvement and teach others about figs. It has small play area for kids.  What do y'all think?

Location 2 - Is just a small park with a large covered picnic pavillion, mini fishing pond, large parking area, lots of rest rooms. 

Location 3 - Is a HUGE park, huge play area for kids, with a large covered picnic pavillion same size as location 2's pavillion. Huge parking area, huge rest facilities.  

Agenda topic ideas
1.  Introductions
2.  Figs in general
3.  Containers/pot and growing in the ground
4.  Fig pest
5.  Various fig cultivars
6.  Grafting
7.  Fertilizing
8.  Lessons learned
9.  Fig Recipes
10.  Winterization

As for events...We can play 2 games

Game 1 -  Pull 3 numbers from a hat -- Winners get one small one gallon fig tree
Game 2 - White elephant - everyone bring a small tree or cuttings
Any commments or recommendations on games?

FOOD
As for food, we could have a pot luck and everyone could bring a covered dish or we could have folks sign up for things to bring. 
Any commments or recommendations?  I'm gluten-free, chicken free, corn free but willing to make anything that everyone will eat.  I'm a pretty good chef and I love to BBQ!

So, what do you guys think? 

Post your comments here.  I'll pay for the location rental.  I'm hoping Jon, JD, Frank, Jason, Noss, Nicole, Vasile, Rafed, Marcus, Alexis, Tim, Martin, Marius, Michael, Sue, Jennifer, George, Bass, Tony, (and heck....I can't remember all the names!) can attend.  The location will determine how many can attend.  I plan on videoing the event and posting on youtube.
thanks!

I am certainly interested.

Do you want to have ripe figs? If so,  is late May late enough to have ripe figs?

I would attend. What parks are options 2 and 3?

Dennis,

My vote would be for september. This gives everyone time to plan and get plants ready for sale/trade.

Opening to the public to see what can be done with figs would be great. 

Dennis...
     Sounds great!  I will attend.  Fred in New Bern
     Keep us advised.

Sounds like a good time. Things will be hectic here with the upcoming move and work on the property. However, if the timing is right, I'll try to make it. I agree that Fall would be better.

Addison, Park Rd Park, Freedom Park....Charlotte has lots to choose from. What I plan on doing is, calling the parks and rec office and ask for their request their recomendation based on our needs.

So far I have...
Addison
Mike
Chris
Fred
John

And one vote for September. Anybody else wanna come?

I can't make any promises due to health issues but if in September I will try and come.

I'd try to make it if it was Sept and I knew the dates in advance. 

may and sept., both are busy time of year for me. then again, when isn't busy.. tho, if i know the exact date, i'll try to plan a trip.

I'd certainly try to attend.  I'm about 3 hours away.  With 2 kids, it's hard to plan too far ahead of time, but any date is fine with me right now.  Sounds like a lot of fun!

Hi  Dennis,

Gathering sounds just great, and Saturday  September 7th  would probably be a good day for me. I usually work Saturdays, but that one is supposed to be an off day ( I hope).  I would be  coming from  just east of Roanoke,  VA   about a 3 hour trip.   

Mike

Dennis, lets merge the northeast with the southeast meeting. And maybe call it the Mideast meeting.... What do you think?

Bass, I'm fine combining it if the others are too. Where? What City?

I'm kidding, I doubt that anyone would drive more than a 100 miles radius to meet up.

Excellent idea! Colonel Francis Beatty Park could be pretty good for this type of gathering. It's less crowded than Park Rd.

Dennis, as for a date, Bass has put out June 2, 2013 for his and Danny has selected August 10th, 2013 for the Texas Fig Gig. I have committed to both and would like to attend yours also. Please keep that in mind when deciding a date.

I'm really interested in going. Sounds like it would fun to meet everyone. It would be nice to have a Spring and Fall fig meet. I know there's a lot involved in the planning of an event so since there's going to be one then I would choose to have it in the Fall. Hope to see ya'll all there!

Dennis. I would be more interested in a Fall meet.  For me, it is a good 4 to 5 hour drive.  Sept or Oct would be best for me.  Car pooling is also an option for members in my area,  I am near I-75 between Knoxville & Chattanooga.  Too, any good, extra cuttings that take hold this Spring would be in good shape for a swap or prize by Fall.

You can count me in. I am voting for September for Location #2

Hey, I honestly did not know there were other fig gigs planned.

Bass is yours set for June 2nd? I might be able to come. Danny is yours Aug 10th? I'd like to attend yours too! Guys email me the location information and times. I'll check in with the wife and my boss and get back to you.

Ok, looks like ours is still on! Here's an update.....

2013 Southeastern Fig Gathering

WHEN: September 7 or 14 or 21 or 28

ATTENDEES:
Snaglpus
Barnhardt9999
Newnandawg
SEGeo
JPeasparren
SCFigFanatic - maybe
TonyCM
S irlampsalot
Eden13
Mgginva - maybe

I will call Col FB Park tomorrow and see which Saturday is available and give another update.

thanks, everyone

Dennis, here is the link to the other two fig events.


Texas
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/UPDATE!!!-BIG-FIG-GIG-TEXASARKANSASOKLAHOMALOUISIANA-6305388



Bass
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Northeast-fig-meeting-6318138

This sounds cool Dennis. Wish I lived closer.

I wish i was there too. looks like a scion exchange gathering...

COOL deal  Dennis !  to bad your like a thousand miles from here ha ha 

hummm... road trip .. .... probablt not.