Share 'House Party Ideas!'

We live in Northern IL, Near enough to Rockford that a trip would not be prohibitive. Is anyone in this area planning a get together? I was hoping to hook up with the Boone Co. folks who finally managed to get the wind farm past the Nay-saying population. Would an outdoor venue work? There are lots of parks in this area where we could bring a lawn chair and a cooler of cold water to drink and a…