luau picnic at foster beach - *note venue spot*

BBQ. PARTY. PICNIC. SWIM. FUN.

MATS is helping Joelen’s What’s Cookin Chicago Meetup Group host their first annual What's Cookin Chicago Picnic! This is an all day affair for you to enjoy the beautiful Chicago summer with fellow Chicago food lovers. We'd love to have you join us as we have a gastronomic luau summer picnic at Foster Avenue Beach!

Joelen has included the following groups in the picnic: hoping to have a huge blow out and including some of our fellow Meetup groups to join us in the Hawaiian fun including:
Chicago Couples Meetup - organized by our members, Kevin & Marla
Chicago Young & Raw Meetup - organized by our member, Lynette
Chicago Brunch Meetup - organized by our member, Cheryl
Chicago Dining Out Meetup - assistant organized by our member Laurel
Midwest Adventure Travelers Club - assistant organized by our member Yumi
Chicago Wine Meetup - organized by Hertha

Bring a dish to share, wear some colorful Hawaiian attire and get lei'd at the picnic! There will be some giveaways, games, and lots of food & drink - Hawaiian luau inspired and then some! This is an event you don't want to miss!

We're claiming our picnic spot bright and early so if you're able to help out, please indicate it in your RSVP.

VENUE SPOT - To ensure folks can find us among many others who will be enjoying lakeside picnics that day, we will be securing a spot upon entering Foster Ave & Lakeshore Drive. As you come into Foster Ave Beach off Foster & Lakeshore Drive, look for our signs and hawaiian decor to your left, immediately west of the first parking lot. We will be setting up here early in the morning and will be close to the parking lot for those driving in, as well as the Foster & Marine Drive bus stop for those using public transportation. The spot is close to the sandy beach, has quite a bit of shade, a park bench and a nice clearing for our luau feast.

Here is a rough timeline and the areas we need some volunteers to help out for the event:

9 AM (or earlier) Claim our picnic spot at Foster Avenue Beach. Grillers may arrive to set up and begin their fires.
10:30 AM: Help with setting up picnic area, arranging tables, supplies and decor
11:30 AM: Appetizers
1:00 PM: Lunch (Note food will be coming out in waves as they are cooked or as people arrive)
3:30 PM: Desserts
Sunset-ish: Begin tidying & cleaning up - please assume this is everyone's effort

We can stay as long as everyone wants to so there's no set time to come and hang out... the more the merrier!
Feel free to stop in anytime during the day to join us!

You're welcome to bring your significant other, children and pets.
We will bring some tables, chairs, partyware, food and drinks. There will also be some fun games planned as well as prizes issued out!
Please RSVP with the dish you plan on bringing to share - anything you bring will be welcomed to the table!
Also, if you're able to volunteer with the following below, we'd greatly appreciate it!

Bring in portable grills to cook on
Bring in charcoal to cook with
Bring in folding tables to set food on
Bring in coolers/ice
Bring in folding chairs (or bring your own)
Bring in boardgames, card games, bean toss, frisbees, etc.

* this is an outdoor activity so if inclement weather, this event may be cancelled *