Come hungry, leave fullfilled!  

When

Sunday, September 15, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Add to Calendar 

Where

Iroquois Park (behind the Amphitheater)
1080 Amphitheater Rd
Louisville, KY 40214

 
Driving Directions 

Contact

Cathy Berkey (cathy.berkey@gmail.com)

We can create
 The World's Largest Potluck 

The previous largest potluck was attended by 3,264 participants in Ahmedabad, India

 

The Big Table is a community-wide initative to reweave the fabric of our community through hosting dynamic spaces for conversation and connection.
To get involved contact
Cathy Berkey (cathy.berkey@gmail.com)
WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
 
Imagine thousands of diverse Louisvillians sharing an intimate dinner with a few neighbors. Imagine the sights and sounds and smells of tantalizing food and even more interesting stories. Imagine the happy excitement you feel when you connect with a new friend.  
 
Magical things happen when people get together for a meal. They eat. They talk. They connect. In a time with many opposing points of view, we need meaningful dialogue and respectful spaces to come together as neighbors. This is what we are hoping to create with The Big Table. 

At the event, people will be organized into tables of eight (8), some of whom will be strangers. Volunteers will help facilitate the evening's conversation. We'll share stories about the food we bring, about meaningful tables, about our lives, about ourselves. There will be no central stage or entertainment schedule. The only goal will be to engage with each other, and leave as friends rather than strangers.

Participants are invited to bring a dish to share; and if interested, bring an instrument to play at the post-dinner global music jam.  Pick-up music venues will be located at different places along The Big Table area.                              _________________________________________

Can you help host a Table Conversation? 

As a Table Host, you will fill the essential role of welcoming participants and guiding the conversation. Do not be intimidated! We have designed a fun and simple process for helping strangers connect and tell stories.

 
To help create a meaningful and magical experience for your table, we are asking Table Hosts to listen to a short 15-minute training session and review a set of hosting instructions, which will be emailed to you after you register. 
___________________________________________
Organizational Sponsorships
We are looking for businesses, groups, organizations, and faith communities to help sponsor the event.  Sponsors will be publically recognized at all our tables. Organizational sponsors agree to: 
  • Recruit two (2) Table Hosts from their organization.
  • Provide a donation of at least $100 to help cover the costs of the event (i.e. table and chair rental, forklift rental, 2000 (!) plates and utensils, etc). 
__________________________________
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who should come?

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

What should I bring?

  • All your friends and family!
  • A dish to share to feed at least eight (8) people.  Use a recipe with a family or cultural connection, or something you just really like!
  • A drink for yourself, but not alcohol or beverages in glass bottles.
  • Serving utensils: We will provide plates, napkins, and eating utensils, but not serving utensils.
  • Please note:  We will mark vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-containing dishes, but we cannot promise those with allergies that they will not come into contact with these items.  The food is prepared in home kitchens and no responsibility will be taken by the cook or the organizing committee.  Please use your best judgment.
  • We will not be supplying power or ice, so please use coolers or insulating dishes to keep your food safe.
  • An extra blanket and/or chair(s). We are providing seating for 2,000 people. In case of an extra large turnout, please bring a blanket/chair in your car.
  • If you play a musical instrument and want to join in a post-dinner global music jam session located throughout The Big Table area, then bring it! 

What to leave at home?

  • Alcohol, glass bottles
  • Unleashed dogs.  Please use your best judgment 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 information.

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.

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.