What's Cookin Chicago Summer Picnic Potluck!

Back in 2009, we hosted our 1st annual What's Cookin, Chicago Picnic. (http://joelens.blogspot.com/2009/07/1st-annual-whats-cookin-chicago-summer.html) It was an amazing success with over 120+ folks coming out to enjoy the day with us! Last year, we had to skip on the picnic since we were living in the suburbs with a newborn. But for 2011, we're back in the city and hosting a repeat of our What's Cookin, Chicago Picnic!

This is an all day affair for you, family and friends to enjoy the beautiful Chicago summer with fellow What's Cookin Chicago food lovers and Meetup friends. We'd love to have you join us as we'll have a gastronomic summer picnic at Horner Park! We're hoping to have a huge crowd once again and are including some of our fellow Meetup groups to join us in the picnic fun including:
What's Cookin, Chicago - organized by Joelen
What's Pouring, Chicago (https://www.meetup.com/WPChicago/) - organized by Joelen
What's Cookin, Mama (https://www.meetup.com/WCMamas/) - organized by Joelen
Potluck Dinners & More (https://www.meetup.com/Pot-Luck-Dinner-and-more/) - organized by our members, Kevin & MarlaChicago Dining Out - organized by JD

WHO - You're welcome to bring your significant other, children and pets so feel free to stop in anytime during the day to join us. We have the picnic grove reserved all day until dusk/sunset so there's no set time to come and hang out... the more the merrier!

WHERE - We'll be at Horner Park and our picnic site (Picnic Grove #8) is conveniently located in between the north end of the parking lot and children's playground. Restrooms are a few steps away. You'll be able to spot us with our What's Cookin, Chicago signage.

WHAT TO BRING - This is a picnic potluck so please RSVP with a dish you plan on bringing to share. Whatever you bring will be welcomed! It's an amazing site to see the tables filled with so many delicious eats. Note, our picnic is grill friendly! If you have a grill, feel free to bring it along as well. Also, if you're able to volunteer with any of the following below, we'd greatly appreciate it!

Portable grills to cook on
Charcoal to cook with
Folding tables to set food on
Coolers/ice
Folding chairs (or bring your own)
Boardgames, card games, bean toss, frisbees, etc.

TIMEFRAME -
10:30 AM: I will be at the park to reconfirm our picnic permit and set up tables, chairs, supplies, grill, etc.

11:00 AM: We'll start firing up the grill.

11:30 AM: Lunch is served! (Note food will be coming out in waves as they are cooked or as people arrive. There will always be something to eat throughout the day!)

Sunset-ish: Begin tidying & cleaning up - please assume this is everyone's effort where we bring food to share, help set up and clean up. If you can come early to help set up or help later with clean up, we'd greatly appreciate it! This picnic will leave pleasant memories for all of us when we share the load.