Buffalo, NY or Possibly Niagra Falls Meet and Greet in June 2014

[Sapience]

OK guys, looks like I'm headed to western NY for a family event sometime around June 20th. So if someone is willing to start kicking around the idea of setting something up at the Anchor Bar again I'm game.

If you're interesting in this happening, post in this thread. Hopefully someone steps up to wrangle all the details.

[Warmutkan]

I don't know about everyone else, but I'd be interested in adventures to Niagara Falls, Canuckville. One does not simply walk into 'Merica without a passport, as they say.

[Sapience]

I don't know about everyone else, but I'd be interested in adventures to Niagara Falls, Canuckville. One does not simply walk into 'Merica without a passport, as they say.

News for you, one does not simply reenter it without one either. You can leave, but you need one to come home. Once upon a time a driver's license was all you needed. Not any more.

Not an issue for me at all, obviously I have one for work reasons, but maybe for others.

[TattooedCanadian]

Count me in if it's Niagara Falls. I am moving back to the area from Edmonton and will be arriving around the 19th. Would be a good way to start my return to Ontario!!!

[Warmutkan]

Sapience: As Teriadwyn mentioned on the Twitch chat today, (s)he would prefer Buffalo because (s)he lives south of Buffalo and can't cross the border.

Hoping more folks chime in!

[Comstrike]

Buffalo is within my extended driving range for a gathering. I was set to go last year until an unexpected family matter required my keeping Ohio safe for democracy and my kids.

What was the actual meeting time last year? How long did it last before the last of the attendees departed?

[Sapience]

Buffalo is within my extended driving range for a gathering. I was set to go last year until an unexpected family matter required my keeping Ohio safe for democracy and my kids.

What was the actual meeting time last year? How long did it last before the last of the attendees departed?

Last year's Buffalo meet and greet was at 8PM at the anchor bar. We were there roughly 2 hours or so.

[Crell_1]

I don't know how practical it would be to do 2 slightly smaller ones, one on each side of the border, but it's probably worth considering.

[Comstrike]

I don't know how practical it would be to do 2 slightly smaller ones, one on each side of the border, but it's probably worth considering.

Or just a big party barge in the middle of Lake Erie.

[Comstrike]

OK, I'm going to nudge this a bit more.

Start times. I'm presuming to be there short of kids being ill or the Zombie apocalypse starting. Fair to say I'm a 5 hour drive, this sounds like a dinner-time activity, so 5 p.m.? 3?

[Sapience]

I don't know how practical it would be to do 2 slightly smaller ones, one on each side of the border, but it's probably worth considering.

Not very practical at all.

Any event would probably need to start after 'dinner time', which is why all meet and greets previously have started at 8:00PM local time. This way no one feels they have to put out cash for a meal as well.

My personal preference is to revisit the anchor bar, 8PM on Friday June 20th. However, as with each of these to date, I need someone in the area to step up and take charge of the organizing/planning/calling the restaurant part of it.

All that said, if it's someone on the Canadian side that steps up and does this for a place in Niagra Falls, then I'm game to drive across the bridge.

[lostor]

I'd love to go again for a meet up either in Buffalo or Niagra Falls. It was a great time last year.

[Comstrike]

There is a nice naval museum in Buffalo and I've had a hankering to see the cruiser, destroyer escort and sub they have many years now. An overnight trip out wouldn't be out of scope with a social gathering on Friday night.

[Warmutkan]

Not very practical at all.

Any event would probably need to start after 'dinner time', which is why all meet and greets previously have started at 8:00PM local time. This way no one feels they have to put out cash for a meal as well.

My personal preference is to revisit the anchor bar, 8PM on Friday June 20th. However, as with each of these to date, I need someone in the area to step up and take charge of the organizing/planning/calling the restaurant part of it.

All that said, if it's someone on the Canadian side that steps up and does this for a place in Niagra Falls, then I'm game to drive across the bridge.

I would be willing to organize a Canadian side gathering for June 20th. The only thing that's kept me back so far is the vibe that more folks are Yankee-side. But if we can get a Canuck trip going, I'm game.

[Sapience]

I would be willing to organize a Canadian side gathering for June 20th. The only thing that's kept me back so far is the vibe that more folks are Yankee-side. But if we can get a Canuck trip going, I'm game.

OK, you volunteered so we're going to CANADA!

Some things to keep in mind....

Cost (cheap food/drinks and no cover/admission/room rental fees are a must)
Try to, if possible, avoid 21+ only situations. Some people like to bring kids. if it can't be helped, however, then it can't be helped.
Once a date and place are established, expect the numbers to grow. Everyone looks to see if it will happen before committing. So make sure wherever you choose is flexible and can accomodate more people than you think (start with 20, it's a good number).

[Sapience]

There is a nice naval museum in Buffalo and I've had a hankering to see the cruiser, destroyer escort and sub they have many years now. An overnight trip out wouldn't be out of scope with a social gathering on Friday night.

I've been there. It's worth seeing. Nice waterfront area nearby, too. Can get good hot dogs there!

[Warmutkan]

OK, you volunteered so we're going to CANADA!

Some things to keep in mind....

Cost (cheap food/drinks and no cover/admission/room rental fees are a must)
Try to, if possible, avoid 21+ only situations. Some people like to bring kids. if it can't be helped, however, then it can't be helped.
Once a date and place are established, expect the numbers to grow. Everyone looks to see if it will happen before committing. So make sure wherever you choose is flexible and can accomodate more people than you think (start with 20, it's a good number).

Hoo-rah!

For those of you who have not been to Canada before, watch this video tutorial. It's a bit out of date, but may help. :P

I have a handful of places in mind who I'll be calling Thursday or Friday. All of them are very close to the border, the Falls, and the main strip. I'll post an update when I have a venue booked. In the meantime, looking forward to the event!

[Ravynne]

My husband and I were going to attend if it was held in Buffalo, but Canada is not a possibility for us.

[Warmutkan]

We're going to Niagara Falls!

We have a booking for Friday, June 20th at the Niagara Falls (Canada) Boston Pizza (click for Google Maps). The reservation is for 20 people at 8:00pm under Turbine.

Travel information:

If you're coming from the States, the nearest access is the Rainbow Bridge next to the Falls. Boston Pizza is on Clifton Hill, circled in green on this map (link). The Rainbow Bridge is highlighted in orange. For parking, come down Clifton Hill (i.e., toward the Falls) and turn RIGHT at the sign for the Comfort Inn. It's just before a dinosaur mini-putt and the Skywheel. Tell the person at the parking gate that you're here for dinner at Boston Pizza and they will give you a free parking pass for 3 hours. The parking lot (and street it's on) are highlighted in blue on that map.

RSVPing:

Please RSVP if you are coming so that we have a sense of numbers! You can either post in this thread or send me a PM. Once the RSVP's start coming in we'll get a list going.

Other information:

There's lots to do in the city if you arrive early: both the Canadian and American sides of the border have lots of attractions, exhibits, and places to explore. Niagara Falls is basically Canada's Vegas: smaller and kinder, but also very fun. And of course, if you've never seen the falls themselves, they're a fantastic sight. We'll only be a 5 minute walk from the Falls, so be sure to bring a camera. The Horseshoe Falls are particularly nice - I'm told they also help you out during snowball fights at the Yule Festival, though I have no idea how you'd fit that much water in your pockets.

See you soon!

[Comstrike]

Don't bring you kids. Or maybe go ahead, whom am I to judge.

[Sapience]

Closing this and opening the new official thread now that we have a date, time, and location.

https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthr...tern!-OFFICIAL