I was just wondering if there were any parks or anything in Chicago where we could maybe plan a potluck picnic of some sort? I'm moving to Minneapolis in July and thought it'd be a wonderful way to say goodbye to the city of Chicago and meet some of the Illinois VBers before I move. I don't know if this is something do-able or not but I thought I'd throw it out there. What do you guys think? Peace & Love!!!

There's a great park that the Meetup crew uses sometimes, right by the lake on the North Side. There are a couple of nice places in town too...Millennium/Grant Park, the beach by the planetarium, Ohio Street Beach/Olive Park.

<<<misses the beach :yes:

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Awesome! Some raw stuff would be nice too :) We'll bring raw.

Shall we plan a get together than? I'm sure VegBunny83 will come too!! I think if we set a date and place more people will commit. What does everyone think? I'm planning on being in Minneapolis June 30th and I'll be on vacation from May 16-30. How about Sunday, June 8th? Does that work for everyone? As far as where we should do it, I have NO idea. I don't know the city AT ALL!!

Probably would work for me good!!! I'm self-employee and I have some Sundays work to do... but is the second Sunday of the month, so I may be able to save it :thumbsup:

Okay, SonicEarth said Millenium Park would be a good place. How does that sound? Do you think enough people will come? Who do we have so far?

Me
Chicagoan
SonicEarth
VegBunny (I'm pretty sure)


That's not too many...I don't know. What do you guys think?

Oh, of course you knew I'd be up for it Nickles! I'll have to bake some awesome vegan chocolate-chocolate chip cookies!

Anyway, I suggested Portage Park as a good location for a picnic. It's on the Northwest side of the city near Irving Park and Central. It's a really big park with lots of trees and nice paths to walk. The layout and structures in the park are really beautiful too. I used to live over that way and I love that park so much!

If you're all leaning toward an area closer to downtown (which it seems like from the previous suggestions) may I suggest near Contemplation Point? It's an area of Foster Avenue Beach that is more secluded and grassy, and has good tree cover, but you can still see the lake and skyline. And there's an area where you can build a fire.

This should be fun!


Julie

Okay, SonicEarth said Millenium Park would be a good place. How does that sound? Do you think enough people will come? Who do we have so far?

Me
Chicagoan
SonicEarth
VegBunny (I'm pretty sure)


That's not too many...I don't know. What do you guys think?

Count Ana too. I'm always 2x1 :lol: My wife always comes

What date are we thinking of? I travel a lot for work.

What date are we thinking of? I travel a lot for work.


We're thinking Sunday, June 8th but let us know what would work for you and maybe we can plan around that!!

We're thinking Sunday, June 8th but let us know what would work for you and maybe we can plan around that!!

Sundays are generally good.

Something to ponder...

The Vegan Chicago Meetup Group has an event the first Saturday of every month, and quite a few VB'ers are members. In the summer, we try to have outdoor events...there have been a few at Foster Beach, and it's been really nice. People bring frisbees and hula hoops, and sometimes four square and/or kickball is/are played. Food-wise, the events have been both catered and potluck-style.

The proposed picnic date, June 8th, is the day after the meetup. There may be a greater chance of meeting more VB'ers if everyone just decides to attend the June VCM (unless some of them elect to spend the night). The potential exists for Michael, Veggie Friendly, tricia soup, Hummus!, Wolfie, denise1021, and kpickell (and maybe even ~Wonder) to be there. dandelion and I will be at the meetup for sure.

The June VCM location has not yet been determined, but there's a good chance it will be outside. I understand wanting a VB-only event, but all of those mentioned above, as well as IamJen and Indian Summer can attest to the wonderfulness of the non-VB'ers at these events.

Just a thought...:)

Y'all can tell me to mind my own soy wax, and I won't be offended in the slightest. :D

Something to ponder...

The Vegan Chicago Meetup Group has an event the first Saturday of every month, and quite a few VB'ers are members. In the summer, we try to have outdoor events...there have been a few at Foster Beach, and it's been really nice. People bring frisbees and hula hoops, and sometimes four square and/or kickball is/are played. Food-wise, the events have been both catered and potluck-style.

The proposed picnic date, June 8th, is the day after the meetup. There may be a greater chance of meeting more VB'ers if everyone just decides to attend the June VCM (unless some of them elect to spend the night). The potential exists for Michael, Veggie Friendly, tricia soup, Hummus!, Wolfie, denise1021, and kpickell (and maybe even ~Wonder) to be there. dandelion and I will be at the meetup for sure.

The June VCM location has not yet been determined, but there's a good chance it will be outside. I understand wanting a VB-only event, but all of those mentioned above, as well as IamJen and Indian Summer can attest to the wonderfulness of the non-VB'ers at these events.

Just a thought...:)

Y'all can tell me to mind my own soy wax, and I won't be offended in the slightest. :D

That sounds like a great idea to me!! The more the merrier I say although I'm not vegan.. is that bound to bring negativity into my life at the event? I'm down for whatever as long as the day is filled with good food, good people, positive energy, smiling faces, laughter, compassion, understanding and no judgements are made on my dietary choices.

Vegetarians are welcome at vegan meetup events, they just ask that at potlucks you only bring vegan food. I've been going for a couple years and I'm not vegan.

That sounds like a great idea to me!! The more the merrier I say although I'm not vegan.. is that bound to bring negativity into my life at the event? I'm down for whatever as long as the day is filled with good food, good people, positive energy, smiling faces, laughter, compassion, understanding and no judgements are made on my dietary choices.


A vegan lifestyle is not a requirement of becoming a member or attending a Vegan Chicago Meetup shindig, and there is no vegan-policing whatsoever. The events are open to anyone, with the only expectation being that non-vegans in attendance maintain a respectful demeanor. The meetups are primarily social gatherings, and the range of conversation topics are wide and varied. However, good, informative discussions can be had for those who are curious about and/or are exploring veganism and want to learn more. I assure you that everything you mentioned in your last sentence is present during our events, and dandelion (dave) has worked hard and done an amazing job to build and nuture the group into its present state, which = AWESOME!

We love, love, love to eat and have fun! :hungry:

:sunny:

Vegetarians are welcome at vegan meetup events, they just ask that at potlucks you only bring vegan food. I've been going for a couple years and I'm not vegan.

A vegan lifestyle is not a requirement of becoming a member or attending a Vegan Chicago Meetup shindig, and there is no vegan-policing whatsoever. The events are open to anyone, with the only expectation being that non-vegans in attendance maintain a respectful demeanor. The meetups are primarily social gatherings, and the range of conversation topics are wide and varied. However, good, informative discussions can be had for those who are curious about and/or are exploring veganism and want to learn more. I assure you that everything you mentioned in your last sentence is present during our events, and dandelion (dave) has worked hard and done an amazing job to build and nuture the group into its present state, which = AWESOME!

We love, love, love to eat and have fun! :hungry:

:sunny:

Awesome!! Well that sounds GREAT!! I think it would also be a great opportunity for me to pick all the vegan brains in attendance and get TONS of great advice and I'm sure some delicous recipes to help me along my journey TOWARDS veganism!! Is this something we need to RSVP to?

P.S. If anyone cannot make it to Vegan meetup on Saturday and would still like to meet up Sunday I'm down for that too!! Let me know!!

I've been on some of those meetups too!

I've never been to a summer meetup, but the regular ones... It's like... going to the meetup, eat (while a bit of chit chat) and leaving... Sometimes they do some raffles... It usually last around 2-3 hours.

The problem of these meetups... they are always at 12:00 PM... not a good time because is in the very middle of the day... If you have some business to do, you can almost not attend.

However, the picnic sounds good for me!

If they were any earlier than 12:00 there would be no way I could attend. Late afternoon would be better.

Nickle, you do need to RSVP, but there's not really a limit to the number of people that can come to the outdoor events. Here's the website where you can register and rsvp for meetups: http://vegan.meetup.com/11/

Just wanted to mention there's a little VB meetup in the works for May 10th. I won't be able to make the vegan meetup but four of us are coming up on the 10th. I don't think there are any concrete plans yet, probably just a day of eating/shopping. :D

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=85967

So much meeting up- my head is starting to spin!! :dizzy:

~Julie