Is Eggfest worth it??

Smok'inCSI

Hi guys:
After a two month period of being here in the BGE and having own a BGE for 3 years, We(myself and a another new egg head) were thinking about going to the October Eggfest.
The only problem is that we live in Phoenix, is it worth it to fly in for the festival? As we don't know any of the "Gang personally?
Your feedback will determine the outcome....

Nature Boy

<p />Smok'in CSI,
well, all it takes is 5 minutes with most of the people, and you'll feel like old friends. Plus, the Eggtoberfest really doesn't have a "gang". Like any gathering, people kind of end up forming little ever-changing groupings....but for those that like to get around and socialize, the sky is the limit. If your goal is to "connect" with 250 of the 500 people, then it is doable, If you are one that likes to find a core of folks with similar interests as you, and just hang out, that is a piece of cake, and will happen naturally.[p]The after party at the hotel is just as much fun, and while a lot of the hardcore longtime eggers are always present, everyone is welcome, and it is a blast, and a good time to get to know folks after the long day at the fest.[p]Bottom line....yep. It is worth the travel from Phoenix!
Hope to see you there.
Chris

Bobby-Q

Nature Boy,
I'd go to Phoenix if you guys were all hanging out there. Waldorf was one of the coolest trips I've taken just 'cause I got to hang out with all the cool folks...lol.

SSN686

Morning Smok'in CSI:[p]After having attended the last two Florida Fests and my first Waldort Fest a few weeks ago, I can hardly wait to make the Eggtober Fest in Atlanta (the mother of all Fests!). [p]Hope to see you there![p]Have a GREAT day!
Jay

locolongball

<p />Smok'in CSI,[p]
I went to Florida, going to the Oklahoma fest, and I'll be at Atlanta... you can be apart of my "gang." Just don't forget you green bandanas. We need a gang sign! Maybe we can pull a drive by…. Run by someone’s camp and knock over their egg then run off! We can call ourselves the “West Side Eggers!” I’ve even posted our new logo![p]If you have an egg, and love to cook on it you're apart of the gang...so get your ass to Atlanta! Heck, even if you don't have an egg and just love great food, get your ass to Atlanta. [p];-) Happy Egging…see you in Atlanta@!

ChefRD

Smok'in CSI,
Here's my take on it. I've been to two Eggtoberfests and I really enjoyed both of them. I got great deals on a mini and a small egg, and met a bunch of people.
As for gangs, or cliques, there may seem to be some of that going on like in most large groups of people anywhere.
However, I never felt I was deliberately snubbed or excluded because I had never met or talked to them before the event.
If you sit by yourself all day in the background however, you probably will not enjoy it much as I doubt that others will seek you out. Trust me on this, as I am not an extrovert.
But if you walk up to NatureBoy or Mad Max and introduce yourself I will gauroonteee, they will be glad to meet you and be very friendly. And like NB says, I enjoyed the after party as much or more as the actual day of cooking. More relaxed, less focused, just good plain company by all. I'll never forget the mint juleps made by JJ for the after fest party in the early days of this cult.
So, with that said I can only tell you that I want to go again this year, and if you do go I would expect you to enjoy it for what it is, just a bunch of cooks cooking and teaching/explaining their ways and enjoying others company, and making new friends and matching faces to names.[p]HTH,
Ron.[p][p]

Nature Boy

ChefRD,
Nice post Ron. You enjoying retirement???
Beers!
Chris

DobieDad

Smok'in CSI,[p]Bought my Large last October and decided only 2 weeks before the event to go to Waldorf . Flew in from Chicago.[p]Had a great time with the +/- 150 folks there. Learned heaps, ate heaps. The afterparty was awsome, until the lightening chased me out.[p]Showed photos to the wife. Now WE are going to Atlanta. I had too much fun! No free passes to a bbq event for this kid anymore! We may cook as a team.[p]Atlanta will have a lot more people attending, and that concerned me at first. But everyone at Waldorf was so very open and fun that I'm confident the people at the Eggtoberfest will be similarly so. We wouldn't think of missing it![p]See ya there![p]DobieDad

Sundown

Smok'in CSI,
Is breathing a part of your daily routine? That's it in a nut shell.

Unknown

DobieDad,What are the dates for the Atlanta Eggfest this year?

ChefRD

Nature Boy,
Good to hear from you again Chris,
Yep, I'M LOVIN retirement! Got my first grandbaby last month, it's great to spoil her, and now I have plenty of time. [p]I should have done this when I was younger! Oh wait, I couldn't )[p]Hope you see you at Eggtoberfest,
Ron.[p]