What would you want in an FRC party?

[Billfred]

Back in 2004, 1293 played host to a bowling extravaganza with 433 and 393 (whose alliance, along with another team that couldn't make it, made semifinals). The latter two wanted to do something, and the Firebirds invited us as well. (You have to love the Firebirds. It's required by law.)

As we were the locals, we started calling around to see what places could hold about 40 people. (393 had a big group, while the Firebirds had a skeleton crew and we only had three people.) Most of the decent restaurants in town were jammed up by that time, so we went for the bowling alley (which also had a small arcade and a decent food stand). Everybody seemed to have a grand old time, and it only ran everyone five bucks.

I guess the moral of the story is that perfect planning isn't required for a good time. Make sure you can get enough room at your location of choice, get something that won't wear out a bunch of already-worn-out kids (but feel free to throw in some DDR if you're so inclined), and make sure there's enough responsible people there to keep people from being stupid. Oh, and enlist some locals if you aren't from around. They won't steer you wrong.