The Official 2014 Albion Open Results and Party Thread

The potluck was mayhem, we had a secondary potluck that worked out really well. Trying to cram 200+ into a tiny area is tough. I am not sure there is an easy solution to that. Finding a place to sit and eat is tough too, and short of a banquet hall, that is just the way it will have to be I am sure. Only going to get more crowded each and every year with more and more participation.

Thanks for all the great documentation, everybody! I love the pics & videos. More please.

Wrist bands are a great idea but it's actually a shame we'd have to go that route. Just more added cost and work that shouldn't have to be done in the first place.

+1
I think potluck bureaucracy would discourage some people from participating...at what point will people say "Screw it, I'm just going to stay in my campsite and cook myself a hotdog"

First off, big thanks to Craig and Linnelle once again for putting together another spectacular event.  I had a great time reconnecting with old friends, and meeting new ones.  I like how it is becoming more family centric each year, and wish I could have brought my family along this year ( next year for sure!)

As much as I hate to say it, I think for Albion ( as well as GS) we should consider going to a catered dinner.  Each entry ( with the tournament fee increased accordingly) will receive a meal ticket, and additional ones can be purchased for adults on the registration form, perhaps allocate a few for purchase day of.  I just don't think potlucks were meant to accommodate numbers as high as we've seen the past couple years and its only getting bigger.

if you were at the back of the line for the potluck, all that was left was scraps.  The good stuff didn't last past the first handful of people, or sometimes not even to the table. This will ensure everyone gets a meal. Also lots of people are tired after fishing the tournament.  For those that love to cook, it isn't an issue.  But I began to wonder after a few tournaments why I was cooking dishes and people were bringing a bag of chips ( or nothing at all).  There is always the pre and  after potlucks where the good food can be had anyways.  Just my humble 2c
 

Thanks for all the great documentation, everybody! I love the pics & videos. More please.

Wrist bands are a great idea but it's actually a shame we'd have to go that route. Just more added cost and work that shouldn't have to be done in the first place.

+1
I think potluck bureaucracy would discourage some people from participating...at what point will people say "Screw it, I'm just going to stay in my campsite and cook myself a hotdog"




Mike and Pat, you are right. I think with so many people this year it might have taken away from the family/share vibe we have always had. I do know of people who did just that. Stay in camp and eat then come over for the awards. Another thing I was thinking about was the significant cash prizes. We had 40 Friday signups. No more signing up the day before from now on. The cash prizes I believe brought in some folks that none of us even knew. We will figure it over the year but getting bigger isn't always a good thing.

We had a great time and got to see lots of folks I haven't seen for a long time. Excuse me if I seemed short and kind of impatient at times. Running around for two days was exhausting but I loved it.

in the words of the great philocifer RichN8V "i had fun" 

thanks Craig & Linnelle for putting up with such silliness for three days! 

I missed the potluck so am a little surprised. However the logistics of feeding over 200 people is worth some discussion and planning. There are 3 major issues:
1 Quantity, balance and quality of the food
2 Distribution and logistics
3 Family members and party crashers

There are 3 options
1 potluck
2 potluck with catering
3 fully catered

Personally I like #2 the best. Joel's memorial was an example of that. So people could volunteer to bring potluck items and people chipped in cash for the Lechon (pig). It doesn't have to be Lechon, it could be hot dogs like MBK, Mexican food like the Moyer or it could be used to increase the capacity and subsidize the taco shack. I also think Craig and Eric should delegate the potluck organization to someone else. The Moyer was fully catered and really lacked the fun of a NCKA potluck. Just my 2 cents.

It was great to see you all again. I had a great time hanging with the crew and fishing even though the swells were terrible.

Yes, the potluck was mayhem. We brought a whole fillet of salmon to the potluck and went to the back of the line. By the time we got to the potluck table it was all gone. We had more salmon back at camp, so I did not mind missing it. But I feel bad for all those behind us who never got to try it.

I guess I was towards the front of the line... My turkey/rice/corn chowder went fast!!! 1.5 gallon! Had plenty to eat and shared with some others off my plate. Noticed that there were Not as many offerings as people in Line. Might just have to remind folks that potlucks only work if you contribute. The feeling that there is always sooooo much food so I won't bring anything is probably what happened to more people than usual. Having it at 5pm also was great so we had time to cook. A simple reminder would probably suffice... Had such a wonderful time showing my Brother what it is all about and he will be fighting for camping space in August with the rest of us... Thanks to all who put in so much love and work into the event! Sponsors WOW so generous!!!! I dropped $100.00 in Rohnert park at the fishing store!!! So glad to see they gave us so much more back! Can't wait for next year!!! See ya all in Monterrey for pay it forward!!! Aug 17th!!!!

I did my best for the potluck, knocked out 35 pizzas in a span of 4 or 5 hours to make up for my small group of friends.   

There are 3 options
1 potluck
2 potluck with catering
3 fully catered

Option #4
Scratch the potluck altogether and no catering either.
Have the award ceremony, raffle, then everyone can head to their camp and get their own grill on.
Less mess, less hassle, better food.
Eliminates the freeloaders.
Those who put forth the effort will eat great. Those who don't won't.

But Tote!!!! It's all about the food!!!!! Fishing is great but....

There are 3 options
1 potluck
2 potluck with catering
3 fully catered

Option #4
Scratch the potluck altogether and no catering either.
Have the award ceremony, raffle, then everyone can head to their camp and get their own grill on.
Less mess, less hassle, better food.
Eliminates the freeloaders.
Those who put forth the effort will eat great. Those who don't won't.

Best option I have seen yet for these large events! Tote for President 2016!!

Option #4
Scratch the potluck altogether and no catering either.
Have the award ceremony, raffle, then everyone can head to their camp and get their own grill on.
Less mess, less hassle, better food.
Eliminates the freeloaders.
Those who put forth the effort will eat great. Those who don't won't.

I was thinking along the same lines.  Crowds are getting too big for the current potluck model.  Have the awards and raffle, and then the whole campground can be a giant Saturday-night potluck party with folks cooking and sharing food and drink.

Me and my Family decided to go to Ft. Bragg for the day after I fished Saturday morning. We lost track of time and got back to camp right when the potluck started and the line looked insane. My wife was going to make a dish but we just didn't have enough time so because of that we didn't attend the potluck and just made dinner at our campsite. I think it's wrong to attend a potluck if you don't contribute.

But Tote!!!! It's all about the food!!!!! Fishing is great but....

The group meal is part of the culture of NCKA. It is also how we welcome newbies to our community. From small events to large events, there is almost always a group meal. We are going through some growing pains but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. It just needs better planning and organization.