ProgDay Newbie Survival Kit

[philsunset]

There's a chain BBQ place in a plaza across the highway from the hotel called Dicky's, which I found to be pretty good and you get free ice cream. I'm sure purists will scoff at chain-store BBQ, but I liked it enough to go back for seconds. If I can walk to BBQ, I'm there.

Thanks for the info. I am the same way re: BBQ. If I can walk, I'm there.

[progeezer]

Hmmm....old guy in porkpie hat, Prez, or Trane.

I'll go with Trane, thanks.

[philsunset]

Mingus?

[laurainspace]

What I was wondering was where could one get some good BBQ in the area.

right on the site!

[Pr33t]

it was brutal last year and I still managed to have a lot of fun.

Made the vodka tonics taste better!

Worse than 2003?

[SteveSly]

This this is my first ProgDay and I'm after some advice, I'm flying in so can't pack too much stuff for the trip so need to know:-

1) Whats essential? Sunscreen, Beach Chair, Cooler, etc
2) Where are the best local places to pick stuff up on Friday?

I'm primarily looking for stuff that is small enough to pack to come back with me or cheap enough that I don't care if I dump once the Festivals over.

Thanks!

I also fly. I take a chair with me and just pack it as baggage. Some years I have used a long duffle bag and some years a golf club bag. Both work and I usually throw in an umbrella as well just in case. Regarding a cooler, most of the stores in the area sell cheap Styrofoam ones for a couple of bucks, so that is what I usually do instead of trying to lug a cooler on the plane. As others have mentioned there is a Wallmart and a big grocery store within a quarter mile of the host hotel. Also the total wine store has an awesome beer selection. The Food Lion on the way to the venue also makes for a good ice, beverage, food stop. It is about 5 miles from Storybook Farm and right on the way.

Steve Sly

[SteveSly]

It looks like I'll be able to make Sunday but not Saturday. Not sure if I should come up late Saturday (well after the bands) or early Sunday. Do folks stay over on Sunday night or leave after the bands?

The ProgDay tradition is the pool party at the host hotel on Sunday night. Usually a lot of people hanging around there.

Steve Sly

[polmico]

Thanks, Steve! What's the hotel? I'm really looking forward to hearing Herd of Instinct.

[SteveSly]

There's a chain BBQ place in a plaza across the highway from the hotel called Dicky's, which I found to be pretty good and you get free ice cream. I'm sure purists will scoff at chain-store BBQ, but I liked it enough to go back for seconds. If I can walk to BBQ, I'm there.

Agreed, that place is pretty good. There was a barbecue joint that we used to always stop at in between the hotel and the venue that I loved, but unfortunately it was out of business last year. I had some time to kill before leaving for the airport last year and asked the guy at the hotel if there was a decent barbecue place fairly close by, and he directed me to the place you are talking about. I was a bit skeptical with it being a chain, but yea it was really good. We don’t get even mediocre barbecue up here in Michigan, so maybe a local would not be impressed, but I thought it was very good.

Steve Sly

[SteveSly]

Mr. Nogbad,

You see the old guy in the porkpie hat about 13 posts above? Look for him on the field, and you'll probably see me with him trying to be his friend. I'm from near Boston, too.

Oh yeah, do as they say and bring sun screen. There will be at least one food vendor on the premises, usually a barbeque outfit. Everyone there is very friendly, so don't be afraid to mingle.

I am not 100% sure on this, but I believe Michael booked the same food vendor as last year. They were a Greek place, so no barbeque, but I thought the stuff they had was really good.

Steve Sly

[SteveSly]

Thanks, Steve! What's the hotel? I'm really looking forward to hearing Herd of Instinct.

Comfort Inn University. If you go to the ProgDay website there is information and a link. It is about a 15 minute drive from the venue, but pretty much a straight shot down 15 / 501. I agree, I think HOI are going to kick ass.

Steve Sly

[philsunset]

right on the site!

Sounds good! Prog and BBQ.

[philsunset]

Agreed, that place is pretty good. There was a barbecue joint that we used to always stop at in between the hotel and the venue that I loved, but unfortunately it was out of business last year. I had some time to kill before leaving for the airport last year and asked the guy at the hotel if there was a decent barbecue place fairly close by, and he directed me to the place you are talking about. I was a bit skeptical with it being a chain, but yea it was really good. We don’t get even mediocre barbecue up here in Michigan, so maybe a local would not be impressed, but I thought it was very good.

Steve Sly

I'm from southeast Michigan and there is some good BBQ here.

[SteveSly]

Sounds good! Prog and BBQ.

As mentioned in my earlier post, Bon's is no longer the food vendor, so no BBQ on site.

Steve Sly

[SteveSly]

I'm from southeast Michigan and there is some good BBQ here.

Yes, there are some good ones in the Detroit area, but over on the west side it is pretty dire. We have Big Mo's here in Kalamazoo, who a lot of people rave about, but I don't think he is even close the real BBQ you get in the south. Real BBQ takes long hours to prepare and we don't have anyone that I know of over here that does that. Most of the Ribs here are boil and grill..........just not the same.

Steve Sly

[Steve F.]

As mentioned in my earlier post, Bon's is no longer the food vendor, so no BBQ on site.

Steve Sly

Bon's wasn't so hot, imo.

The Greek vendor was quite good. I was very pleased with what I bought. Much better than Bon's.

[Gruno]

Well I'm from the North of England so I melt when it get's above 70.

Hah! You're gonna melt. If the heat won't get you, the awful humidity will. Giving props to ProgDay, but I don't understand how some can enjoy a fest that is in this type of weather.

Make sure you bring bug spray. Also, post your chigger bites when you can

I am so looking forward to your review afterwards...

[progeezer]

Hah! You're gonna melt. If the heat won't get you, the awful humidity will. Giving props to ProgDay, but I don't understand how some can enjoy a fest that is in this type of weather.

Make sure you bring bug spray. Also, post your chigger bites when you can

I am so looking forward to your review afterwards...

I'm 68 years old and I love Progday. Stay hydrated & have insect repellent & you're fine. Hell, adap2it (Dave Sr.) is 73 & is always good to go for the whole weekend.

Metabolic differences in everyone rather than the geographical location of your youth are more likely to be the cause of different sensitivities to very hot and very cold weather.

[NogbadTheBad]

Then why do all Scotsmen go crimson in the sun?

[philsunset]

Then why do all Scotsmen go crimson in the sun?

Something happened.with their kilts?

[Jon]

Then why do all Scotsmen go crimson in the sun?

Because daylight makes them fond of Fripp?

[progeezer]

Ian, ask and ye shall receive!

[Reginod]

Is Lew still coming to Progday every year?

[progeezer]

Is Lew still coming to Progday every year?

If you mean Lou the Italian guy from Boston, yes.

[SteveSly]

Is Lew still coming to Progday every year?

There are 2 Lews that I know of who usually attend. I know for sure Lew Fisher will be there, and the other Lew ia there pretty much every year as well.

Steve Sly