If you were having a large event on your land....

[Cliff_Johns]

You list trash removal, but make sure you have trash cans everywhere.

Invite the neighbors. They won't complain if they are there.

Tell the police.

Signage. You will realize you need signs where it never ocurred to you that you would need them.
(around the back of the house you put a sign that says, "Don't pee on this bush!")

More trash cans.

Big tent. If it rains hard for three hours, what happens?

Message board where people can post messages and read them. 500 may not sound like much, but "I'm here and camped by the Maypole" helps people get together easily. This should be next to the information or registration table.

More trash cans.

Couple cans of gas for those who run out while parked in your field trying to charge their Cell Phone.

Extra toilet paper

Call the local newspaper.

Have a definate plan for what to do if someone loses track of their kid.

Oh, yeah. Trash cans everywhere.

Cliff

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

My little piece of advice applies to just about every part of everyday life. Have a "plan B" as far as YOUR management of the event.

Explaination....

A few years back, I hosted a "plow day" event on my farm. We had almost 100 folks there with antique tractors to spend the day flipping sod, eating brats, and drinking some barley pops....

And to my dismay, EVERYTHING went off without a hitch.... except for ONE THING....

The day before the event, I was in an accident. My pick-up was broad-sided by a garbage truck. I ended up in the hospital for 5 days. I missed my own event.

FORTUNATELY, my son was able to step in and "run the show". He did an excellent job, by what everyone told me later.

Point being? Have a delegated "replacement" for yourself, as wel as any other "authority figures" in the planning and operation of the event. ( Don't rely on the Alexander Haige, "I'm in charge now" stratagy) Should something unforseen take you away for the day/weekend, things will still go off without a problem, and you won't be left exposed to a disaster on your property.

Oh, and best of luck with the event. Sounds like a great time! Bill

 

[Dargo]

I just saw this thread of yours. My events are somewhat smaller, but generally for Easter and Thanksgiving (along with July 4th and other days) we will have between 100 to 150 people at my house for gatherings. Yeesh, my wife has been talking about having family reunions for both sides of our family here sometime. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I don't know if I can handle that!

Anyway, I know it's already been mentioned, but after a few dozen of these gatherings there seem to be some consistant issues. First is parking, which really has been sort of addressed. The only addition to that comment would be to have a roped off / taped off entrance and exit to the area. Without that, I had people just driving everywhere! The funny thing is that the tape I use to corral all the cars into the parking area says "Warning - Blasting Area". /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Next, I really don't know what they do with it, but however much toilet paper you figure you need; double it. I don't know if some are carting off my brand or what! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I usually go through a complete package (giant sized from Sam's) each time. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Along the same line of thought, (which may not apply to you - since you likely are not having all the people in your home) is that I always have to have a large supply of paper towels and a trash can just inside the restroom door. I suppose it's like in most "public" places; you don't want to touch the door knob exiting the bathroom for fear of who else may have touched the knob and didn't properly wash. So, paper towels close as well as a can for them to throw the towel in. I suppose that goes along with having enough toilets as well. I have 7, and at times I've seen people waiting. This is especially true at Thanksgiving, when some tend to stay a while in there; if you know what I mean. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I know all of this seems to have been touched on, but I wanted to tell of what I've seen with my gatherings. The only other thing that seems to be important is to make sure that I have enough water or other drinks available. I have several of the large yellow coolers with the tap at the bottom sitting around with paper cups (and a trash can) for people to use.

Good luck!!

 

[riptides]

Lost and Found service area next to emergency tent.

Sightly signs with directions to your event at critical junctions a few miles away. Check with property owners before placement.

Good luck.

Oh, Triple your garbage bags, you can always use them later.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bczoom]

Thanks for all the replies!!

LarryRB - I spoke with a FD yesterday (it ended up being the wrong one by 1/4 mile) but they were helpful. Couldn't reach the FD that does cover the area yesterday. Will try again today. We're going to have about 15-20 fire extinguishers as well as 2 pickup trucks with 400 gallon water tanks. Unless we get rain, we'll wet down the perimeters of fire locations and re-fill the tanks in case things get out of control.

We're having a fireworks display (professionally done). We're hoping the FD will bring a truck 15 minutes before they start and stay for 1/2 hour after it ends.

Bob - Didn't have a tent in particular but we should probably have something. I've added to my list. We do have first aid kids and people to administer as well as all ambulance services "on notice". We've currently planned on dispensing approx. 1500 16oz drinks per day. We'll watch stock to make sure we don't run out.

Cliff - Thanks. Police have been notified. I've added more signs to the list. I've been pondering since you mentioned and can see a lot of benefit to this. There are buffalo, mules, horses, cows... on the premises. We need to keep people out of there (especially the buffalo as they're pretty mean). We do have direction signs to the event but like you said, we probably need more. I like the idea of a bulletin board. We have lots of trash cans. Local radio and news are aware (advertising) but I'll check to see if they're coming to the event. I've also added spare TP and kid finder to my list.

Bill - Good point on coverage. I added that to the list.

Brent - For this event, we only have porta-potties. Not sure how many have been ordered but I thought I recall the right number is 1/50 people. I've added extra TP to the list.

Mike - I added a lost/found for kids from a previous post. I think I'll be expanding. It sounds like we're going to need a tent now. (First aid, lost and found, kid finder...).

Thanks everyone. Keep the thoughts coming.
Brian

 

[LarryRB]

We're having a fireworks display (professionally done). We're hoping the FD will bring a truck 15 minutes before they start and stay for 1/2 hour after it ends.
--------------------------------------
As a deputy FC once in my lifetime, we did the coverage for the towns fire works, Never had a private citizen ask for their own. If they did, I would have asked them for a contribution to the fire dpt association. It may sound cruel, however, here it is truly volunteer, No monies paid out, not even a thankyou from most. We started the association 25 years ago, to help buy our own equipment. I know this sounds unreasonable, it is,,, The people around here have always kept highway and fire dpts at the bottom of the list, This is why our school systems are getting 92 cents on a dollar. Not right, but it's the way it is. Because of this situation, the associations garners as much monies as possible, 250.00 to fill a pool for instance. My point being, perhaps call the local dpt and ask if they have their own association that is separate from the town or tax payers. A contribution to their association will probably do it. It makes for good friends also if a need ever arises.

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

Another thing to plan for is rain. Have some bails of straw ready if it starts to get to sloppy with all foot and vehicle traffic you will have. Sounds like it's going to be a blast!

Dave

 

[Moon]

Are you planning to sell any memoribilia of the event? Tshirts are always good. We've done this for our halloween parties and just sell them for what they cost (8 bucks). It does take a bit of time to design them and get them made though.

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What are some things to think of/consider?

[and from your other thread]

He has a bunch of Buffalo on the place )</font>


Maybe signage could reduce your liability?

http://www.yellowstone.net/buffalowarning.htm

 

[dynamike]

It looks like you have about everything covered, I would make sure that you have at least two people directing people where to park and how. We had a party on the fourth of July at my place we had around 175 people and everything worked without a hitch. Including my fireworks display.