Hey, I’d love to go to a dopefest! If not for a few minor problems. Stress on the minor. So far, bars seem to be the place to meet, and hey, that just don’t work for one of my age. (Grow, dammit, grow!) That also rules out Vegas. Moreso, transportation. Unless people feel like coming to <shudder> Pittsburgh, then I’m afraid I’ll just have to sit around envying all of you people. 
Same here.
Not unless it’s The Straight Dope.
I’m hyperventilating about meeting so many people I don’t know, but I’m going to the Chi one(s). I am SO GLAD Valerie volunteered to handle the real organizing after I posted the idea of a Chi fest, a month of hyperventilation after I first came up with it.
Shy folks, if I can handle it you can too!
If there is ever a DC Dopefest, I’d go, assuming nobody would mind if I showed up. I have yet to hear of one.
Dear Techchick68, awhile back a thread was started about a Denver dopefest. I believe MR C. was going to organize. There was quite a bit of interest specified in the thread. It looked as though it was going to be scheduled in Oct/Nov time frame. I think the tread eventually died and I never heard more about it. Did the Las Vegas DF replace it? Will there be a Denver DF?
Signed, Dopefestless in Denver
If there is a Dopefest withing 10 hours driving tim of New Jersey 
For a Vegas Dope fest lets have the next one around June 24th so it will be my birthday. I go there every year now
Sn-man,
Actually, I started another thread to meet at Dave and Busters (so underagers and those with kids can go) for Oct 21st I believe.
Cynical bumped it last night but here it is:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=35359
BTW, there are alternatives for Dopefests that can include drinking for those of age yet also let the parents bring kids and the in-betweeners go and hang out to!
I’m shy! Really. Why are y’all looking at me like that.
Gunslinger - I always arrange the DFW dopefests for a restaurant, mainly because I like the atmosphere better. Longview isn’t that far from Dallas, try to come to one soon.
For the rest of you complaining about there not being one near you, put one together yourself. Have a couple of places and a general date/time in mind, and start a thread with your city name in it. If you get anyone interested, set a date/time/place and keep the thread bumped up to the top until the party. I recommend a restaurant, where youngsters can go and you can have the seater direct people for the “Adams family” to your seat. Also, bars tend to be noisy, and you’ll find that talking is the focus of the evening.
::chanting::
HouDope! HouDope HouDope!
Ok so when’s the next one? 
Gunslinger and Jester - we’ve accomodated underage dopers several times - it’s not a problem, just make sure that’s a known factor in the planning.
neuroman - the next HouDope will be in honor of Mr. Cynical’s visit and you can get the straight poop at Houston on the 14th!
Actually goboy, I would mind quite a bit if you showed up at a DC Dopefest.
Gunslinger and Jester–
If your over eighteen and accompanied by an adult (Drinking age of state), ummm, well, ::avoids mentality of dopers for a moment::, and are not drinking, you can go to the bar and drink yourself silly on Shirley Temples.
You’re legally allowed (Minnesota) to be in a bar until 10:00 P.M…
It sounds like most of these meetings are on weekends during the day. You’re unlikely to have problems.
I’m not all that shy, so I jumped at the chance to meet my fellow dopers last week here in SF. I’m already planning to attend another down in San Jose next week.
But if Omniscient can bring himself to attend a Dopefest, anyone can. He is the most bashful, {giggle} pathetically shy, {chuckle} - {chortle} wallflow… BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Damn, I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face.
WTF is that all about?
Hey, Techchick, I’ll consider the Vegas fest next year if you promise to put me in charge of tequila. It gets a LOT better than that sauza swill you were drinking…
WHAT? We’ve had two so far, and the Norfolk Dopefest was a Mid-Atlantic kinda thing, so it counts too.
But don’t worry, there will be another one…Peta and I still want to see Bluesman in his uniform!!!
I nominate JoeyHemlock official Tequila snob for Vegas Dopefest 2001!
All in favor say aye.
I do, and have not been ostrasized by anyone yet.
rjk said:
Is that an admission?
neuroman, come on out the 14th.
JoeyHemlock, FYI, the Sauza swill had a specific purpose. It was a Wally thing. Just a little advice for the newby, so you don’t step on any toes.
Not that anybody enjoyed the Sauza. Well, maybe beatle. The look on Techchick’s face as she fought to keep from upchucking all over her apartment was… well, there’s a photo.