The 2013 South FloridaGreat American Wiknic will be held near the Pompano Beach Pier located in Pompano Beach, Florida. The "wiknic," a portmanteau of "wiki" and "picnic," is an opportunity for casual discussion and networking among wikimedians, free culture enthusiasts, and anyone else interested in developing and increasing access to free knowledge. Similar events will be held concurrently throughout the United States. This wiknic appears to be one of the first wiki events in the South Florida region, so come!
There are various picnic-esque areas adjacent to Pompano Beach (the beach, not the town) that have lush, medium-short trimmed grass similar to golf putting greens. The designated meeting point is about a half-block south (which is right as you face the beach) of the Pompano Beach Fishing Pier / Pier Concession and children's playground, specifically:
50 North Pompano Beach Boulevard Pompano Beach, Florida, USA [1]
Saturday, 22-June-2013atnoon-ish.
It's a casual event, so stay and converse!
User:GChriss is 5'9", has short brown hair, and will be wearing a light-pink, short-sleeve polo shirt with dark-blue baseball cap. I'll print a small 8.5x11 Wiknic sign too.
User:Jwboone is 5'10", has short brown hair, and looks kind of like a mixture of Josh Hartnett and Jason Bateman. He'll probably be wearing khaki shorts and a button-down shirt.
User:domiter is 5'11, (older man) has short brown hair, and will be wearing a light blue T-short tan shorts, a tan beach hat..
The City of Pompano Beach accepts pavilion reservation requests. No reservation currently exists but in the event of light rain, excellent weather (with a crowded beach), or significant picnic turnout a pavilion would be nice. Reservations are subject to availability and cost $125 USD for the day (non-resident rate).
As of 21-June (Fri) the National Weather Service is predicting "Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%." which is typical weather for the Miami area ("light rain"). In the event of a continuous downpour we'll try to relocate to a dry, indoors location but without objections we'll just forge ahead without a designated raindate.
Well, this is Florida, so one never knows...though there will be prior warning.
As of 17-June no hurricanes are forecast by the National Weather Service. Future wiknics may be postponed in the event of a tropical storm or tornado watch/warning.
Pompano Beach was chosen as a location readily accessible from Miami with 'reasonable' driving times from Tampa and Orlando. Additionally, Pompano Beach is a 20-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale.
At least two surface parking lots service the Pompano Beach Pier area, in addition to metered street parking (12 min. = 25¢ or $1.25/hr., quarters only). Surface parking lots are $1.25/hour, enforced 24/7, change and Visa/Mastercard cards accepted.
Food, such as any of the dishes on Wikibooks' cookbook. Consider bringing enough to share!
Friends
An identifying marker such as the Wikipedia or Wiknic logo.
High-SPF sunscreen, although shady areas are provided.
Picnic tables are provided but maybe a beach towel or picnic blanket (optional)
Please note that alcoholic beverages and pets are not permitted. Pompano Beach does not appear to have municipal WiFi coverage so BYOI (bring your own internet) if needed.
If you are interested in Wikipedia or other Wikimedia projects, regardless of your level of experience or involvement, or if you are otherwise involved with free content you are invited and welcome. Please post any questions about this event on the talk page.
The location itself was seen as favorable: noise levels, surrounding activity, and shade were all within reason. Warm weather in the 90's -- the beachfront was full of people but not overly crowded. Plenty of food, too.
Pompano beach was a good starting point – generally accessible, but Ft. Lauderdale may be better for indoor meetups due to closer proximity to Miami.
