The Big Table 2023 - Iroquois Park

Register here! https://thebigtable2023.eventbrite.com

Enough good food and enough good people can change the world. 

Join us for the Louisville's largest potluck! Magical things happen when we share a meal. We talk. We connect. We heal. We build community.

 Come Hungry 

Bring your family's favorite dish! Maybe it's Nana's super-secret recipe for chicken pot pie. Maybe it's stuffed grape leaves. Maybe you're looking for an excuse to try the new pasta salad you found in that cajun cookbook you just purchased. Share your culinary delights with new friends!

 Pull Up a Chair 

Once seated with other guests (remember...a stranger at the Big Table is just a friend you haven't met, yet), table hosts will help your party share stories and answer fun prompts to get to know one another better.

 Leave Full 

You never know. You may find that your neighbor has more in common with you than you thought.

 How to join in: 

PARTICIPANTS 

Bring a dish to share and experience the magic that happens when we connect with our neighbors.

You'll sit with participants you don't know (yet), and use our Conversation Cards to listen to each other's stories. At The Big Table, there is no stage or entertainment schedule. The magic of the event is what happens right there within your table of eight.

If you play an instrument, bring it! After dinner we'll have a soccer pickup game and Global Music Jam! Drum circle near the amphitheater. Instrument jam near the playground. Soccer in the open field at the center of the tables.

 TABLE HOSTS 

Now's the time to live your dream of being the host with the most!

As a Table Host, you will welcome participants to your table and guide the conversation that occurs with easy prompts provided by the Big Table Team. Don't be intimidated! We have designed fun and simple processes for helping strangers connect and tell stories. You will be sent Table Host facilitation instructions after you register.

 DONORS 

In order for tickets to remain free, we must fundraise to pay the cost of a table for 2000 people. From chairs and tables to the truck they're delivered in to the forklift it takes to set them up, it requires community support to prepare a place at the table for everyone. In fact, it costs about $30,000 a year to set The Big Table. That's $15 a plate. Can you help us offset this cost by chipping in to "donate" a plate? Or maybe even a table of plates (that's 6 plates)?

Donate $100 or more and get your name posted on a table for all the table guests to see. Show them how much good food and good company mean to you!

 FAQs 

Who should come? 

Everyone! We hope to engage the broad spectrum of the Louisville community.

 What should I bring? 

- A dish to share with at least 8 people. Use a recipe with a family connection or something you just really like!

- Bring drinks, but not alcohol or glass bottles.

- We will not be supplying power or ice, so please use coolers or insulating dishes to keep your food safe.

- Serving utensils – We will provide plates, napkins and utensils but not serving utensils.

- Bring blankets and/or a chair – We are providing seating for 2,000 people. In case of an extra large turnout, consider bringing a blanket along. If you are unable to sit on a blanket, we'll make sure you have a chair.

Please note: We will be marking vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-containing dishes, but we cannot promise those with allergies will not come into contact with these things. These dishes are made in home kitchens and no responsibility will be taken by the cook or the organizing committee. Please use your best judgement.

 What should I leave at home? 

Alcohol or glass bottles

Unleashed dogs – Please use your best judgement on whether or not this activity would be fun for your four-legged family members. If you think yes, please keep your dog leashed during the event.

 Parking info 

Free parking is available at Iroquois Amphitheater, and also at DeSales High School. ADA parking is available and attendants will be on hand to direct traffic.

 Table Host info 

Everything you need to know to host a table will be sent to you in a training video! You can also preview the Table Host Instructions Sheet, which will be printed for every table.

New this year: additional Host Training event! If you would like to do a pre-event run-through (or just want to soak up The Big Table as much as possible!), join us on August 27th, 5-7pm at The Bungalow on 1515 Payne Street (behind Nancy's Bagels). We'll kickstart the spirit of hosting and get us all excited for the Big day! Details will be sent to all registered hosts.

 What about rain? 

Rain doesn't stop our community! In the event of wet weather, we will let you know alternative locations.

A big thanks again to all the Hosts in 2022 who jumped in despite the rain to create the event...all over the city! We ended up with 22 locations all over the Louisville area, in homes, restaurants, houses of worship, offices, schools, even a farm. Way to go everyone!

 Food safety tips 

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has provided the following food safety tips. Please consider these as you choose your dish, and transport it.