This is to see if there is any interest in a Dopefest at Knoebels Grove Amusement Park for Saturday October 9th - the 25th annual Phoenix Phall Phunfest. I will have a table under the Phoenix-burger stand for the swapmeet during the day that can act as a primary gathering spot and we can always take over one of the regular eating tables or two as well.
Knoebels is a very different kind of park and maybe well suited to this; I usually describe it as some sort of KGB training center that still thinks Leave it to Beaver is how Americans live. There is no parking fee, no admission, no gate, you can bring your own food and sodas (no alcohol), the carousel still has a brass ring and there are two world-class wooden coasters. If you have a dog on a leash and under control it is just as welcome as you are. If you ride a lot you can get a wristband; only want to ride one or two rides, you can get tickets. Want to just walk around and see things? Won’t cost you a dime. Free shows, two free museums and plenty to see with no charge. If you don’t want to haul food, the park food wins international awards and the cost is about the same as Denny’s or IHOP at the most. In other words it can be as cheap or as expensive of a day as you want to make it.
Phunfest is a 300+ vendor craft show, covered bridge festival, costume party and more all held in the park; mostly around the parking/picnic area. Here is your chance to walk around an amusement park all day dressed as your favorite cite! 
Phunfest really is a great time and as I recall from when I floated the idea of an opening day party a few Dopers already attend fairly regular. Where the swapmeet is held is slightly away from the crafters so its a good chance to take a breather and visit over some hot chocolate. If you are a nearby Doper with a family who thinks this is all a little silly, this could be tailor-made.
The swapmeet is from like 10am-3pm or so but the tables are there all night; once I claim “mine” we could share it as long as we want. Dopers could “gang up” or just lurk around as they pleased. I could even teach you how to ITOT (informal take-over time – everyone gets in line at an appointed time and rides together) on the bumper cars; which just happen to be the old 500lb Lusse models that are like hitting each other with real cars! That alone could be fun.
To see what the park is like
for the event
http://www.knoebels.com/pdfs/Phunfest_2010.pdf
This general idea, as I said, didn’t work for opening day - lack of interest. Let’s see the reaction to this time. And besides, it gives me a good excuse to head there this weekend and scout some more. Like I need an excuse.