The Dawn Treader

Little things can make a big difference at a Pigfest.

The physical setup of your table(s) and chairs are important.  I use 8 foot utility folding tables.  I bought two of them from Sams and keep them in the garage.  I also have a 6 foot folding table.  I have tried several different setups ... the Hogwarts long table format, the L shape, the modified L shape, and the rectangle.  I found that the rectangle works best because everyone can see each other easily (without having to lean forward).  I form the rectangle by putting the two 8 foot tables side by side.  Since each table is 30 inches wide, it gives us an 8 foot by 5 foot table.   This can accomodate room for about 14 people comfortably.  If you wanted to squeeze in and you had small folding chairs, you might get 16 people at the table ... but it would be cozy.  I also put a few chairs against the walls and in the corners of the room for overflow.  You prefer to have everyone at the table if you can, but I have found that people in the "back row" manage to get involved in the discussion and don't miss out on the food passing.

For Pigfests that grow to 20, 30 and 40 people, you will be forced to go with the Hogwarts long table format (see photo above from Harry Potter).  It is the most efficient way to get the most people at the table.  I managed to seat 26 people once.  My friend Jim tells me he has had up to 40 at his Pigfest.  He uses a Hogwarts style layout.

As far as plates, cups and eating utensils go, I recommend you keep it simple.  We go with plastic cups, paper plates and your garden variety plastic ware.  Informal is the way to go.  There is a lot of platter passing and most of the food will be some type of finger food usually.  I will dedicate a separate post to the food and get Mrs. Dawntreader's input.

Involve your family in the Pigfest.  My sons (ages 10 and 11) have a specific role.  They are the greeters.  Their job is meet guests at the door, politely welcome them, invite them inside and take their coat and umbrella (if it is raining).  They then politely ask the guests to fill out a name tag.   The name tag is helpful if your Pigfest involves different folks each time.  Mine does.  The name tags are important.

As the moderator, you need two props.  The first is a kitchen timer.  This is the one I use.  You will use it to manage the 15 minute discussions.  The second prop is a gavel.  I purchased a small, inexpensive but real wooden gavel.  Buy it mail order.  I ordered mine locally and had to wait several weeks for it to come in.  You can have a Pigfest without a gavel, but it comes in handy when it is time to open and close the Pigfest ... or reign in discussions.  And gavels are cool ... what else can I say?

I also bring a pad of paper and a pen in case I want to jot down notes.

The last thing to pay attention to is sound and distractions.  Some families bring their kids to the Pigfest.   Most with kids get babysitters.  I generally encourage folks to get babysitters, but I am not a stickler about it.  I make exceptions.  I instruct my kids to keep the noise down, to play in the basement or backyard, and to be conscious of the fact that we have seventeen to twenty people in our house trying to have a conversation.  For the most part, they get it and do a pretty good job of entertaining themselves and the other kids for two and a half hours during the Pigfest.

If you have teenagers, you should consider involving them in the Pigfest.  I usually have at least two to three teenagers at every Pigfest.  They like to participate and add some zest to the discussion.