11th Annual Summer Picnic!

Our summer picnics are a chance to relax and hang out outdoors with cool people while dining on cruelty-free yummies. Previous summer picnics have been our biggest events of the year. We also play ladder golf and giant outdoor Jenga and other games while chatting among gentle breezes and watching geese. This year, we are being joined by EPBP! (See May's monthly newsletter for more info about our partner group.)

Once again, we are going to Island Park. Note that I need an accurate RSVP count to deal with supplies and setup, but there is no attendance limit in Springfield! Bonus: Island Park is also easy to reach by bike if that's your thing.

WHO TO BRING: You are encouraged to bring friends and family. Just please mark the guest count on your RSVP. This is our biggest, open event of the year and great for kids. It's also a great way to introduce people to our group or make this your first event if you happen to be one of our "lurkers." ;-)

WHAT TO BRING

• a plate and eating utensil for each member of your group (only if you want to eat...)
• a chair or blanket to sit on (optional)
• a beverage for yourself if you want one
• TWO FOOD OPTIONS - [1] A vegan dish to share for the potluck. Previous year's potlucks have been DELICIOUS! [2] If you are not comfortable with a potluck, no worries. Just bring your own vegan food for you to eat yourself. You still get all the company and fun.

For potluck participants, here's what else to bring:

• a potluck dish to share (free of meat, dairy and eggs)
• a serving utensil for your dish
• an ingredient card for your dish (or the packaging if you buy a dish)

Please do not forget the ingredient card. The ingredient card is especially important this year as we are not having a separate table for WFPB (Whole Food Plant Based) dishes. Our guests from EPBP will need a way to identify which dishes meet their needs. Also, ingredient cards help people with allergies, etc.

Volunteer Opportunities - Can you please help? Please make note in the box provided when you RSVP:
(1) Tables! - I can bring 2 portable tables, but we may need *several* more. If you can bring a table, please let me know. NOTE: The tables are for the food, not to sit at...
(2) Lawn Games - if you have your own lawn game to bring - feel free. Or even just a frisbee. (I'll bring a couple sets of ladder golf and the outdoor Jenga and our new game: Slamo. And I'll teach people how to play.)
(3) Set up - can you come a bit early to help lug tables and other set up?
(4) Clean Up - can you stay at the end of the event to help me make sure the area is cleaned up and get my tables back in my car? PLEASE!
(5) Music - do you have a portable device which can play some music for the crowd? Let's talk!

DOOR PRIZES: Eugene Veggies and EPBP will be donating some good prizes. Also, Hope will be donating two tickets to an upcoming Eugene Vegan Fest! Yes, you read that right. There will be a special announcement about this new event at the picnic.

Everyone gets one ticket just for coming. You get a second ticket if you wear a vegan themed shirt or hat (i.e., anything on the topic of health, the environment or animals counts).

LOCATION: It's a big park. The top of this page has a picture with information on where to park and where we will be. We will be very near the parking lot shown and right off a paved path. Very easy to get to and, you won't be able to miss us. A day before the event, I will send out an email with directions so that you can find the right parking spot.

DOGS: Leashed dogs who are people (including kid) and dog-friendly are welcome.

FUN: Will be had by all!!!