This gigantic meetup happened a few weeks ago, but Bejoty took forever to finish the writeup for it!
He did however throw together a copy paste-able template for it, so I guess he can be forgiven.
You can find it all after the break!
And keep comments tame.
Last weekend, Friendship is Magic fans from across the west coast collided in Portland, Oregon to attend the first annual Northwest Bronyfest. More than 75 people traveled from places as far as southern California and Vancouver, BC to meet up with fellow fans of the show and hang out over a weekend of crazy events and activities. Of these attendees included none other than Filly, the great synchtube celebrity, and Odyssey, the musical artist also known as 'Eurobeat Brony!'
As an event organizer, I decided to focus on more of a festival feel for the weekend in place of the usual convention-type events. It was a stressful and exciting risk, but come the morning of August 6th, all my worries were immediately allayed. Shortly after the initial meet time, residents and visitors of Portland who happened upon the downtown park would come face to face with dozens of guys and gals laughing and chatting away under the northwest sun. They might also notice a peculiar bit of street artwork:
Unplanned, someone had brought colored chalk to doodle around the park with our favorite characters. This all lasted for another hour or so when someone perked up with the idea of food. Most had either rushed or missed an early breakfast, so the massive group moved as a unit to the nearby Pioneer Place mall food court to grab some grub. According to one brony arriving late to the scene:
"Upon reaching the food court, I was a little stunned by how many Bronies were really there, just talking and hanging out. I can say this much, it certainly didn't fit with the anti-social normal nature that most internet meetups tend to have. People were finding their place and discussing anything and everything as we waited for things to get started." - HansThere were still a few hours to kill before the real fun started, so the herd moved on to Powell's Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. The place really is a labyrinth, and worth spending an entire day both literally and figuratively getting lost across its rooms. Unfortunately, we only had a small tease of the glory, and quickly moved down the road to Voodoo Doughnut, quite possibly the greatest treat that will ever grace your tongue (sorry Pinkie!).
[Incidentally, they broke a world record on Bronyfest day 1!]
Everybody grouped back together around 5:00 at the ever-wonderful Red Coach. This spectacular burger joint gave us five hours to use their venue after closing, and for the mere price of buying dinner. If any of you end up in Portland, go hit 'em up -- they LOVE us (yes, they made us a custom menu). We had the whole place to ourselves, and completely maxed out the upper floor of the ~100 person capacity allotted to us.
The evening saw a many fantastic events. On top of a multitude of masterful music mixes and the MLP marathon, there was a custom hair modeling tutorial, merch sales, tables of art (including the whiteboard I decided to bring at the last minute), the most delicious 'baked bads' I have ever tasted, and one absolutely brilliant stand-up comedy act spanning over 15min! [Seriously, go watch those. If you missed the links here they are again. Brilliance.] We also got an exclusive pre-release listen and autographed singles of Odyssey's newest Super Ponybeat track, Singing Telegram!
After a far-too-brief night sleep, the next day brought with it one entire day chilling at a park just outside of town. We lost a handful from the night before who could only stay one day, but gained a few extra for one wonderfully sunny Sunday. At this point, once perfect strangers now talked like the best of friends, and we all feasted on delicious barbecue delights provided by Roy G. Biv (thanks again for everything, you crazy foal -- you and Luke really saved the day).
The day's events were more low-key, going more the route of conversation and music, thanks to a stereo set of pony tracks brought by one of the attendees. There was coloring, crafting, and other artistry, as well as more merch sales, a really kickass car, and a failed attempt at building the Target MLP tent from the new Canterlot set (I recommend against purchasing it). The evening even saw a few sing-alongs around a rather dashing but somewhat egotistical guitarist. I sure hope he starts posting his stuff online soon..
But I digress. Those of us who survived into the night went back into town for a final Voodoo run to end the weekend. The whole thing was an unbelievable success, and not only do we have plans to scale up for next year's event, but there is talk about bringing a winter event up to Seattle! We'll be sure keep you updated~
- Bejoty
Northwest Bronyfest Organizing Lead
82 comments:
Yay chalk ponies.
ReplyDeleteThey sold apples and apple accessories? Wish I could've gone.
ReplyDeletesecond
ReplyDelete4th, lol
ReplyDeleteOnly 75 people? How much do these meetups usually get?
ReplyDeleteGlad to see some news bout it XD. It was a blast. But nothing about the epic singing that occured? For shame. :P
ReplyDeletetwas loads of fun, that's for sure :D i'm sad I couldnt make it the second day, but Red Coach was AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteGet some events to the northeast! ;P
ReplyDeleteNICE!!!!
ReplyDeletenone of this cool stuff ever happens near me!! there is never anything like this around where i live, or guaranteed i would be there very quickly.
ReplyDeletealso, i know that this will be somewhat off topic and/or old news, but has anyone else had a problem with Ponychan today?
Man . . . I was already disappointed that I couldn't make it to this one (stupid work schedule changing at the last minute!), and now I'm *really* sad.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, sounds like it was a blast, for which I am glad - that means it'll happen again >.>
cool, wish I could of been there
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThe average seems to be about 20 to 25 attendees.
http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i353/PDXBronies/NW%20Bronyfest%20August%202011/
ReplyDeleteHave some more photos.
>Voodoo Doughnut's tagline being "The Magic Is In The Hole"
ReplyDelete...
...WHY did I read that as a reference to unicorn Rule 34?!? D:
It looks like you guys a heluva time there. I wish i was able to go ):
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun, can't wait to hear about the one next month. That one should be pretty big!
ReplyDeleteHopefully there will be an event in Seattle. My brother and I share a car so I couldn't really take it down to Portland for the whole weekend. I really wanted to go, seemed like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThat apple cart is priceless. I'm looking forward to the Cleveland one coming up, Portland is a little far from here.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you foals and fillies had fun!
ReplyDeleteI wish that somepony near Denver could organize a big Coltorado meetup.
anyone else read "Winter Event Up" as "Winter Wrap Up"?
ReplyDeleteIt was quite fun to be there, and in the words of a certain pony, "Best day EVER!"
ReplyDelete^yes lol.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteWell, there is Nan Desu Kan, the big anime convention taking place next month, theres sure to be bronies there to hang out with.
*Insert tame comment here*
ReplyDeleteMust have been awesome, hopefully we get a large number of bronies in Norway.
Dang, I was in Portland back in June! I wish I could've attended- sounds like it was a lot of fun! (And I would've loved to hit up Powell's a second time- that place is a bookworm's dream.)
ReplyDeleteBig Mac car needs a custom horn that shouts "EEYUP"
ReplyDeleteWow, that photo of bronies coloring the coloring book I created makes me very happy. Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteI wish there could be a brony meetup in Utah. Preferably Logan. It'd be great to meet some fellow bronies around here.
ReplyDeleteCutie marks on car fenders! What an awesome idea! Someone could make big buckolas outta that...
ReplyDeleteThe standup act was class. I grinned when Digimon was mentioned. XD
ReplyDeleteI'm also amazed the diner went along with the theme! I'm willing to bet those menus will become bona-fide collectibles now!
Those people at the restaurant are awesome for letting you take the whole place for yourselves.
ReplyDeleteI drew the chalk twilight, but i ran out of purple because trixie took it all.
ReplyDeleteWhy does that seem strangely fitting for her..
That apple stand = WIN! Somepony took their time on that one... ^_^
ReplyDeleteSeattle?! Right after I move away, too!
ReplyDeleteMan, this sounds like tons of fun...
@tygerbug
ReplyDeleteYour coloring book totally made Sunday awesome. :D
That big mac car is so awesome. Looks like you guys had a blast!
ReplyDelete666 pounds of doughnuts?
ReplyDeleteChallenge accepted.
Oh, come on Seth. It only happened a week ago. =P
ReplyDeleteAnd the delay was partly because of all the crazy news happening this past week (but I will take a bit of the blame~)
Seattle, I can roll with that, hit me up if you guys need help
ReplyDeleteI has a sad that I missed this. I'd be all over Seattle.
ReplyDeleteDammit, why the fuuuuck did I have to leave my CD in the car? I missed out on all the early afternoon activities on the Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI really hope there's a winter one, though. A whole year is a bit to wait to see you badasses again. I'm gonna hang with some of you at the PNE and at PAX by the end of the month, but after that there's a pretty huge gap, especially if the next one would be next summer.
I sparkle at this very fun meet-up I ever herd! *o*;
ReplyDelete@tygerbug
ReplyDeleteAs a heads up, some of the nonograms in that book were discovered to be unsolvable.
OH HEY GUYS! Also, this happened:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmvysEgdQ7k
I can't believe I forgot to add that. What the hell, Bejoty?! D:
Man, if I wasn't deployed in the Middle East, I would have been there... (Lives in Portland Oregon) D:
ReplyDeleteMy brain's still trying to grasp that apple cart, so awesome. Glad you guys all had fun, looked awesome.
ReplyDeleteAw, they didn't write about how I totally fought to get a blanket! D:
ReplyDeleteThat meetup was freaking amazing. I can't wait for the next.
I didn't know about the barbecue, though. D:
Seattle?
ReplyDeleteI'll be there.
Wish I could've seen those chalk drawings. I'm glad everypony liked the free muffin spectacles and Cupcakes: The Cupcakes, next time I'll try to remember to bake some BIG APPLE PIES for the Soarins out there.
ReplyDeleteThis is about the size of a decent room party at a bigger furry con. 75 is cool but there were 200 plus at the brony meetup at Anthrocon. That was just for a panel. I think the furry bronies outnumber the non furry ones.
ReplyDeleteI really wish there was an Austin brony meetup. :/
ReplyDeletedon't forget the screamin and da singin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8HgWv-zV6Y
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI would disagree and say wait for the PAX crowd.
Yay I spyed some some of my metal pony pins!! <3 It always makes me happy to see people wearing them.
ReplyDelete@DarklyCute/PinFilly Oh snap! Pinfilly! I got some Dash pins from their first run and I have one on my hat and I wear it all the time. Broniness aside, it adds a bit of flair and looks cool.
ReplyDelete@DarklyCute/PinFilly
ReplyDeleteHaha, same here. I got 10 pins from the first round when they first came out! You should be happy to know that Daniel Ingram owns one of these~!
(Ashleigh Ball would have too if I hadn't forgot to hand her one when we met ><)
That Shadowbolt shirt the guitarist is wearing is amazing
ReplyDeleteDue to tricky camera angles and my absence from earlier on Saturday and all that stuff, I'm in surprisingly little footage from the 'fest, from what I've seen. BronyMike is slightly saddened by this.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any brony presence at comiket (though I was only there for an afternoon, so I could have easily missed it).
ReplyDeleteGiven the preponderance of rule 34 stuff there, though, that may have been for the best.
Makes me wish I lived up in the Northwest now. :(
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a pretty fun time had by everyone. That applecart is simply awesome, I can't believe someone made that. Too cool.
@Gravenstein
ReplyDeleteIndeed, you can't forget that BIG APPLE PIE!
>And keep comments tame.
ReplyDeleteis this because of the brutally honest comments for the last meetup post? well, unlike that one, there isn't much to criticize here
ERECTIN' AN APPLE AND APPLE ACCESSORY DISPENSER
@Namefag Anon Yeah, we were a pretty non-loserly crowd and this post was arranged in a way that helps reflect that, I think.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Roy G. Biv is doing some stuff at RainFurrest in late September; I'll definitely be catching those: https://www.rainfurrest.org/programming/matrix.php?mode=panelist&ID=102
ReplyDeleteHa, I actually got into one of those pictures! (I was taking a bunch of pictures and never seemed to get into them) and the write-up too. I'm the one Bejoty quoted...
ReplyDeleteT'was fun, and I'm really looking forward to seeing some people again at PAX.
Barbecue!? You monsters!
ReplyDeleteSomepony! Get to work on that movie script!
ReplyDeleteI want to see a draft on my desk in Canterlot in one month!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAre those picross puzzles I see? Must! Have!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it was absolutely so much fun! That comedy act had me giggling like a little school filly. =)
ReplyDelete>bring a winter event to Seattle
ReplyDeleteMe gusta.
do want to go to one of these!!! :D
ReplyDelete@Bejoty you missed something HUGE HUGE HUUUUUUUUUUGE on Sunday! HUUUUUUUUUGE!
ReplyDeleteBut as for the chalk drawings: I drew Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy (but not Fluttershy's eyes). First time drawing them EVER. And I do it with chalk!
How did I not know about this?! Voodoo doughnuts is just a few blocks away from my house. >.<
ReplyDeleteI want a Kansas Brony meet up. Damnit.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous Then start one? I'm sure there are some people in the general area who would be willing to go, but someone's gotta take some initiative with this stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat standup comedian was great. It sounds like it was a ton of fun. I'd love to be able to go to next year's.
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed however that the pony-themed menu was not completely vegetarian. :P
@sotha Oh good god, if it was entirely vegetarian I would have been so irritated. Brother gotta have him some bacon. Were there vegetarian options available on the menu, though?
ReplyDelete@BronyMike
ReplyDeleteIf I recall, they did offer a vegetarian alternative. And we definitely had that covered for Sunday's barbecue as well!
Hey Bronies. If you even think about having your fagget ass get together in my county. My friends and I will chase you out of town. Take your creepy bullshit some where else.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHugs?