More Good News

He won't be coming but he did the next best thing to let us know he's thinking of us.  I'm talking about Fred Bernardo of Fred's Music and BBQ Supply in Shillington, Pennsylvania, an Egghead like none other. 

He sent this to Mickey today:

Mickey, we would love to be a sponsor of your fest. I'm sending you a selection of Tasty Licks BBQ Rubs and Seasonings to use as you wish as door prizes etc. Thanks for the opportunity.

Fred Bernardo

Thanks Fred.  Wish you could join us in Salado.

Check out his web site: 

https://www.fredsmusicandbbq.com/

Behind the Scenes

If any of you have volunteered or been assigned the task of organizing an Eggfest, you know first hand that there's a lot of 'stuff' that needs to be done before anything else happens.  Some of it isn't easy, and definitely requires time and effort, and sometimes out-of-pocket expense.

The Salado Egghead Gathering is no different.  I just wanted you to know that things are happening behind the scenes, mostly due to the efforts of Mickey Rawls: aka Mickey.  You may know him as mild-mannered, laid-back, supportive and a pretty good cook, but I now know him as all that plus energetic, unrelenting, creative, unselfish, organized, inquisitive, and even demanding if that's what it takes to pull off a great Salado Egghead Gathering.

He approached the Village of Salado Council for permission to hold the Gathering in the City Park and to waive the No-Alcohol provision for the day.

He's already ordered name badge blanks and holders (the kind that stays right side forward).

He's gotten local restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfasts involved.

He received a $200 donation from the Toyota dealership where he works.  That alone may help keep us from having to charge for attending.

He ordered tables and chairs to be delivered, set-up and returned.

And as of a few minutes ago I learned that he will be bringing Salado Egghead Gathering T-shirts to the Coop Christmas Party http://coopchristmasparty.blogspot.com/ on Saturday for some of those who ordered them.  Here's what they look like:

I suppose I could go on and on with praise but knowing Mickey, he's probably blushing already.  He just wants everyone to have a great time.

Oh, by the way...  Our blog site just topped 2,500 views and the number continues to grow at over 40 views per day.  Someone sure is interested in our little Gathering.

Don't you just love it when people take notice of what we Eggheads do for fun...

Eggcitement is Building

It is still more than four months away but the Eggcitement is building for the Salado Egghead Gathering.  Just today we received this from our Host Bed & Breakfast, Inn on the Creek:

"Dear Eggheads,

When our good neighbor, Mickey, told us he was planning an Egghead gathering over at Pace Park, my mouth started watering.  I have a great appreciation for GOOD FOOD!

The park is literally directly across the creek from our backyard.  So, it seemed to make a lot of sense that you guys treat our backyard as a retreat from the festivities you're all getting excited about participating in. 

For those of you who decide to stay with us at Inn on the Creek, we are extending this year's pricing for rooms.  Be sure to call to make reservations so you're not charged 2011's rates through the website.  Our back yard will be a great place to relax and unwind when you aren't in the thick of things.  Our guests may also enjoy relaxing in the hot tub overlooking Salado Creek...or grabbing a drink in Alexander's Distillery (our onsite bar).  Whether you prefer a hammock or a rocking chair, we want you to experience good Southern hospitality when you're in our little Village, and especially here at the Inn. 

Salado is truly a destination our visitors seek out time and time again.  Whether it's shopping, live theatre, experiencing our fine art galleries, antiquing, a trip to the spa, a visit to our wineries, or golfing that you plan to do when your not participating in Egghead festivities.....our little village has you covered!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

In the Spirit of Hospitality,

Will

Innkeeper

Inn on the Creek"

http://www.inncreek.com/

From the sound of his letter, the good folks in Salado have made it their mission to welcome visitors to their small community. 

Just a reminder: If you are making reservations at the Host B&B, Inn on the Creek, call them direct at 877-947-5554. Be sure to tell them you are an Egghead.  The web site will not work because Mickey reserved the entire hotel for us...

 I have a feeling this is going to be a really great Egghead Gathering.

Salado Holiday Inn Express

Mickey let me know today that Holiday Inn Express is holding 20 rooms for Eggheads at a discounted rate.  Here's his email.

Salado Holiday Inn Express

Reg $120. Night weekend

Egg $99.99 night weekend

(((Do not book online.)))       Call 254.947.4004 local number

They are holding 20 rooms for us. Must cancel 2 weeks on this deal.

Sounds like Mickey has been working overtime...

Want to see some Pictures?

There are Eggfests and Egghead Gatherings all around the country.  They range in size from a few local Eggheads just getting together for some Saturday fun, to thousands of Eggheads attending the annual Eggtoberfest in Atlanta.

Here's a short video of the 2009 Texas Eggfest in Austin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXR1lw_mIo

And here's a Dealer Open House in Houston where the Egg is King:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UFPYqXDYWA

Or how about some scenes from an Eggtoberfest:

Here's some photos taken at the Plano, Texas "Outlaw Eggheads" Gathering in 2009:

First Salado Mini Egghead Gathering Announced - March 26, 2011

Eggheads do a pretty good job of cooking on their Big Green Eggs at home throughout the year, but when you get a bunch of them together at an Eggfest or other 'gathering of Eggheads' the gloves come off and everyone has a fantastic time sharing what they cook with everyone else.  In fact, various forms of such events have grown from two or three ten years ago to ten times that number today and stretch from coast to coast and into Canada and Europe..

Everyone likes it when fests are close to home.  We already have a "Texas Eggfest" in Austin in April and an "Outlaw Gathering" in Plano in November, but there's always room for another one.

The latest idea came from our very own Mickey (aka Mickey Rawls) from Salado, Texas.  He had mentioned a few years ago that the small town of Salado has a really nice park with a pavilion that would be perfect for an Eggfest.  I had visited Salado sometime later and remembered what he said about the park.  So I drove over to the park and took some photos.  He was right, it is perfect.

 Nearby Salado College Ruins

So Mickey contacted the city council and asked them to wave the park fees and to allow alcoholic beverages for a one day event sometime in March.  The council obliged and it looks like we have us an "Egghead Gathering" in the works.  Mark your calendar for March 26, 2011. 

Mickey posted this on the Big Green Egg Forum today:
(here's the link: http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=983291&catid=1)


Salado is located on I35 half way between Waco and Austin; about 2 ½ hours south of Dallas and about 3 hours north of Houston.

Salado’s claim to fame is B&B’s and antiquing. It is also the site of the annual Salado Scottish Clan Gathering & Highland Games.  If you are of Scottish decent, you will enjoy this gathering each November.

At Mickey's request the city agreed to drop the fee for using the pavilion in the park and waive the rule about adult beverage for that day. The city's only request is that we do not have glass on the grounds.

This is not a Big Green Egg dealer-sponsored event so bring any and all size eggs(need lots of eggs).  Yes, we will share our Eggs with those who cannot not bring one.

Send Mickey an email if you plan to come and what size Egg(s) you will be bringing.  Be sure to give him your phone number so he can contact you if need be.

Mickey said he will work on getting door prizes and good rates at hotels and Bed & Breakfasts. 

If any of you are RV'ers there's an RV Park nearby.  The city does not permit overnight RV parking.

If you are making reservations at the Host B&B, Inn on the Creek, call them direct at 877-947-5554. Be sure to tell them you are an Egghead.  The web site will not work because Mickey reserved the entire hotel for us...

For information, contact:

Mickey Rawls (aka Mickey)
mickeyrawls@vvm.com
cell 254.289.1877
Here's a map for you.