Where would you hold a family reunion?

[Stacerita]

How about writing up a "survey" newsletter type of thing to send to each of the families with polls of destinations, time of year/approx. date that would be best, budget, things like that. Then you can narrow it down and begin to plan. The only thing is what if they don't respond to the survey letter, but maybe give it a try.

I agree, survey the group and see what works best for the majority.

 

[tinker&belle]

I live in Indiana. I think you are more likely to get more people if you pick somewhere people can drive to. I would look at:

State Parks (Spring Mill is REALLY nice: it is in Mitchell. We have done several here with DH's family and it is great.) Brown County is also very nice and there are many others.

Branson: My family did one here. There is something for everyone and people could spend as much or as little as they want.

Gatlinburg/Piegon Forge: Pretty much the same kinds of things as Branson plus the Smokies.

If everyone loves Theme Parks maybe Holiday World (REALLY nice, clean, family-friendly park and water park. VERY affordable too!) There is camping right next to the park.

We are thinking of doing a Disney Trip with a group of 10-20 next year and the logistics are staggering, I can't imagine trying with 50 or 100.

 

[tvguy]

So here's the general concept.

3 day weekend
About 50 people or more, could easily get to a 100 if the price is reasonable.
Some place that has some activities for every one to join in, as well as a convention type center for a large lunch/dinner where every one can just get together and chit chat for a few hours. A playground would be nice to let the kids burn off energy without bothering the adults so much.
Some of the family has travel trailers, so I was thinking of a state park kind of place with RV camping and lodge accommodations.

My original idea would've been:
Christmas at Disney
3 days with reservations made between Wilderness Lodge and Ft Wilderness
1 dinner at the Hoop De Doo Review, followed by a wagon ride to see the fireworks
1 luncheon for general get together
1 night at a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for those wanting to attend
possibility of attending the ICE event at Gaylord Palms.

.

Well, reasonable and Disney are kind of opposite ends of the spectrum. For what it costs to go to Disney, I'm going to want to spend ALL my time at the parks.
I'll be honest, the best family reunions I have attended were at places in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do but spend time with your family.
My wife's family did one at the Best Western located closest to the retirement home her grandparents lived at. It was easy to pick them up, and take them back for a nap, and bring them back. They had banquet facilities, and a restaurant, and reasonably prices rooms. We had so many people they didn't care that a few were staying in their travel trailers in the big rig parking area.
My family did one at my cousins farm, turned the barn into reunion central, stocked it with beverages and food, places for trailers to park, close to hotels.
Another one was based at my aunts house on a lake, with two additional cabins being rented for sleeping space, and to park the RV's at.
And yet another one was at my cousins large house, near hotels and a RV park.

 

[PebblesMK]

I must have missed that...SO sorry.

Hersey Park has some really nice Christmas events and might be really economical with such a great size reunion.
Lots to do for all ages.

Cape May also came to mind....Great Holiday festivities and with your size reunion you could probably take over an entire B&B which could be really fun.

Mackinaw Island in Michigan is a beautiful time to visit.

Mackinac Island is really pretty, but it's also expensive to stay there, and most activities will cause more out of pocket expenses. Plus, activities are limited from about mid-september through May. Actually, everything in the UP is shut down. And it's quite a hike up there (depending on where they're at in Indiana).

If the majority of the family is in Indiana, why even leave? I can see for those who live out of town, but for everybody to take the time and money to go to a destination get together makes no sense. Then again, my time and money seem to think a bit more clearer than I do at times.

Also, why are you the one that always seems to be handed the responsibility of planning things Sandra? Do you have experience in this field or does your family just not want to deal with the stress and know you'll do it?

 

[SandrA9810]

I guess I have any easier time finding information out. My grandfather was always the one to bring the family together, so it's just passing down the line.

My aunt was the one elected to the seat, and well she passed it off to me. I have a way of getting into something and then learning everything about it. So once we narrow down a location, I'll be the one to figure out all the details. My aunt is still better one the phone though.

Last night at dinner, my cousins are going for their 25th anniversary to Epcot. In about two seconds, I had their whole day planned out.

I don't mind planning the event, but my aunt is gonna have to stay on top of keeping every one informed. Most of her generation is not on the internet, so everything will be mail or phone calls.
Most of my generation is on the net, so I can do a facebook group or something too keep people informed.

There's only 23 from my grandmother down (my grandfather was the youngest of 8, so we're a bit smaller). But my cousins R&J have 83 in their family alone. Since there's 8 family lines now, it shouldn't be too hard to get to a 100.

 

[C.Ann]

Wherever you decide on, it sounds like fun.. We used to have a big family reunion every year when my grandmother was alive, but after she passed there would be several years in between.. Sadly, so many family members have passed on now, a "family" reunion for those of us who are still alive would be pretty darn small..

Sounds like you have plenty of time to put this together - and I like the idea of a "survey" type thing..

Good luck with your planning..

 

[SandrA9810]

Thanks. We passed through Arkansas a bit early this morning. I think it was about 4am when we passed Degray Lake, so we didn't stop by. The weather is also miserable.

But I think a State park looks to be one of the better options.

 

[SandrA9810]

AHHHCK!!!!
My aunt wants to turn this thing into some sort of Bible retreat thing. Ok seriously??? People are not going to spend hundreds to go see gospel shows and all this other stuff, like the Holy Land for a family reunion.

So guy she knows that comes into the Cracker Barrel for breakfast every morning, he's a hair dresser as a day job. My aunt started taking my grandmother weekly. Well his night time job is a gospel singer. He does shows throughout the month, and my aunt is pretty much his little groupie now. Well my grandmother thinks he's wonderful and always asks "are we going to hear him sing tonight?".
So her brilliant idea was to invite his group along (only 3 guys). Yes she realizes that she'd have to provide their needs and all. But he'd put on a nice little private concert for the family.
When she finally spoke to him about it, he came up with the brilliant idea to have it in Eureka Springs, AK. He's from around that area, and goes there often to sing with his group. Well they also have "The Great Passion Play, New Holy Land and other religious heritage experiences", so my aunt is turning this whole thing into some big religious thing. That he can get us discounts on tickets to these various events because he works with them and all this other stuff. Ohh lets cross off the cools things like caves and caverns because she's claustrophobic.

Ughhhh.... now it's turning into something I don't even want to touch. I can deal with the guy and his group for a one night show, but I'm not going along with Eureka Springs and all this Bible Thumping.

Sorry, I really don't mean to offend any religious persons on here. But if people want to go on a Bible Retreat, let them go with their church, not at a family reunion.

 

[ontariomonkey]

I would think that if 50-100 people are going, no one would expect everyone to do all the activities together! You won't be the only one who wants to do the caves instead of the Passion play, I wouldn't worry too much if that's where you end up.

 

[SandrA9810]

That's what every one says about the Holy Land in Orlando. Doesn't mean I want to go there for a family reunion with a 100+ people. It's supposed to be about family, seeing each other, having time talking to each other.

At least at a state park resort, there's swimming and play grounds for the kids. There's places to grab a pole and fish. Hiking trails to wander. Lobby facilities for people to lounge by the fireplace. All these activities are were people can just sit and chat and get to know one another. Not shuffled around, listen to other people talk, kind of thing. It just seems all wrong.