Mid-Atlantic: Meet up in 2014?

Here's a crazy idea . . .

Is anyone in the Mid-Atlantic region interested in meeting up some time in 2014?

Looking at the map (what they consider Mid-Atlantic) is from lower New York down to the DC area and even a sliver of eastern Ohio.  To me it seems the mid-point (and good access to major N/S & E/W highways) would be Harrisburg, PA.  

We'll need to know:

1.  Are you interested? 

2.  When would you be available?  I'm thinking gathering Friday evening and leaving Sunday afternoon. 

3.  Anyone (small committee) interested in helping plant?

4.  Anyone from Harrisburg who could help us find a moderately-priced hotel and serve as a local "host"?

5.  Is anyone familiar with the area and know of things we might be able to see while we're there?

***6.  I would need to check with the Foundation to see if this is even "do-able" but if it's possible would anyone be interested in becoming a Certified Instructor while we're there?  (This would require some homework before arrival.) 

Let me know.

Since Harrisburg is the State capital, it is likely that the PA Dept. of Ag might be supportive by way of offering info or exhibits. I'd definitely contact them to see if their public information office is willing.

My thought is that late winter, before we're too busy with our gardens would be best. Maybe late Feb or early March -- those should also be good times for better

I've done some event planning in my day, do I'm will to help with planning and execution.

I live 2 hours due south of Harrisburg (just off the beginning of where I-83 becomes the Harrisburg expressway).

This is quite the exhibition here in PA, you may want to consider the time given to it.
Jan 4-11 2014
http://www.farmshow.state.pa.us/
Maybe consider becoming part of it, everything is already there.
I've never attended, however it is televised and tour buses from all over run trips..
It is quite the show.

This looks like a lot of fun My concern is people driving feom great distances In the winter.

Well, as they say, "Good Lord willing, and the creek don't rise." If we're not in the middle of a "snow event," the interstates leading to Harrisburg should be fine within a 3 -4 hour radius. MD and PA are both pretty good with handling interstates, as long as the snow is not too fast or deep.

3 Hrs straight shot down I-81 from Binghamton, NY
4 hours mid-Nassau County, NY to Harrisburg via the Turnpike
3.5 hours from Pittsburgh
2.5 hours from Washington, DC
2 hrs from Wilmington, DEI sent an e-mail to the fair manager to get more information about what they have planned for "agricultural education" from 8:30 - 4 (but those are week day sessions) The weekend seems to be taken up with lots of contests and displays. (the PA Police Mounted Drill Team looks interesting.) We might need to get a meeting room at a local hotel, but the cost may not be too high if a few of us shared it.

For me it's a straight shot up I-83 (1 hr and 17 minutes) So I'm game. Anyone else like this idea?

Kim - I'd be possibly interested in a meet up in the MD area in November and have some ideas.
Happy to see this thread - something we all should be thinking of doing is to connect in person with other SFGer's - in our areas or a location we are willing to travel to.  Locally, I am overdue in planning something like this - so thank you for the inspiration and here's to hoping to meet up with you and others!
Keep us posted!

I'm easy.

Somewhere with a good lunch and the ability to trade horse stories and tips for a few hours would be fine with me.

A speaker or two would make it even more interesting, but just time spent getting to know the people from this Forum would be best.

It sounds like a good idea to meet.
Renee  

I am new to SFGardening (both the forum and the practice) so I am not sure if a meeting place was decided, but I was wondering if anyone is interested in taking a group tour at Longwood Gardens. I have always wanted to go, but never an opportunity. There is a link to their site below.

longwoodgardens.org/

Hello plantgeek and welcome.
Just a tip about Longwood Gardens...they have without a doubt the finest mushroom soup I have ever tasted..
If you go try it..

Thank you. Does it have chunks of mushrooms in it?

You bet it does, I even have the recipe, they have it on the counter.
Never made it yet.