(Crossposted from )

The First Annual Midwest FurFest Summer Picnic was a resounding success! We cooked up 120 New York strip steaks, 8 chicken breasts, all sorts of fun appetizers, and everyone enjoyed lots of potato salad, green salad, banana pudding, and cookies. It was a hot day, too – we went through about 25 gallons of Gatorade and 15 gallons of water.

I hope that everyone had as good a time enjoying all the food as we did putting the event together. Congratulations to who won the Fan’s Choice award for the softball games, and with that a $50 gift certificate to Tramonto’s Steak and Seafood. Also, after everyone had eaten, we selected three names at random for prizes. Congratulations to and , who each picked up a free weekend night’s stay at the Westin Chicago North Shore and to Cale, who received a $50 gift certificate to Tramonto’s Steak and Seafood! (And I apologize for mispronouncing your name, Cale – twice! 🙂

This picnic was of course a volunteer effort. As such, a few thank-yous are in order. Thanks go out to:

• , for working with us to make a special LAFF Softball into something even bigger.
• Our hardworking cooks, including , , , , and
• Everyone who helped with setup and teardown, including , , , , and some folks who I’m sure I’m forgetting (sorry!)
• The Westin Chicago North Shore, for donating the prizes
• The Hampton Inn and Suites Lincolnshire, for donating many cases of bottled water
• And thanks to everyone who showed up and made it such a fantastic day!

has posted his pictures of the day. has posted his pictures as well. Do you have pictures from softball and the picnic? Tell us about it in the comments!

Thanks again to everyone, and we look forward to seeing you in November!

P.S. – For those who asked about volunteering at Midwest FurFest, you can find more information right here!