*On Saturday for those checking in Friday night or Saturday morning you will be able to check in starting at 10:30.
*Our raffle preview and ticket sales will start at 10:30 instead of 11:00.
*Also, we will still say goodbye on Sunday in the hospitality room, but doughnuts and juice will not be available.
Kazpalooza 2011 Itinerary
Friday June 3
2- 3 pm: Early check in for registration. Pick up goody bag, name tags and shirt (if ordered)
*If you are at the hotel at this time, we encourage you to please take advantage of early registration as we have 125 families attending this year.
*Raffle drop off to still be determined.
5- 6:15 pm: Check in continued
Meet and Greet
*This event will be held outside so please dress accordingly*
6:30 pm: Dinner: Same location as Check in/Meet and Greet.
Stay after dinner and watch the beautiful FL sunset over the beach.
Friday night menu:
Mixed Greens Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Black Olives, Carrot Threads and Assorted Dressings
Rotini Pasta Salad with Artichokes, Sundried Tomatoes and Cherry Peppers
Mixed Fruit Salad
Baked Potato Salad with Roasted Anaheim Peppers
Spiced Ground Beef Taco Bar with Flour and Corn Tortillas
Mac & cheese
Cookies & Brownies
Tea and water will be served with meal.
*there will be a cash bar for other beverage options.
Saturday June 4
8 -10:45 am: Beach Portraits for preregistered/prepaid families. Times will be given
at a later date
*10:30-11:30: Preview raffle items and buy raffle tickets. $5 each.
11:30-1:30: Lunch, slideshow, followed by Raffle—location of banquet room will be given Fri. night.
* Wear your Kazapalooza t-shirts to the luncheon*
Lunch menu:
Garden Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Carrot with
Assorted Dressings
Grilled All Beef Patties, All Beef Hot Dogs, Veggie Burgers
BBQ Basted Chicken Legs and Thighs
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Dill Pickles, Sliced Red Onion
Baked Beans
Corn on the Cobb
Southern Potato Salad
Assorted Cookies and Sliced Watermelon
Cake and cupcakes
Tea and water will be served with Meal
*there will be a cash bar for other beverage options
3:30: Beach Social—Optional—meet on beach for games and good old fashion fun in the sun with friends.
Dinner: free: make your own plans.
7:00: Pirate Show put on by the hotel
Sunday June 5:
*9—11: Come by the hospitality room to say goodbye, unfortunately there will not be any drinks or doughnuts.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Raffle Items
Kazapalooza is one week from tomorrow!
I am getting really excited seeing the incredible items families are bringing for the raffle.
Donations can be be as big as one of Steve Morrison's handmade top quality play tables which he will aslo pay for shipping cost (shipping alone is $300, plus the $500 table), to something as simple as the upcoming adoption book by new Children's Author and Kazapalooza Planner Kristan Struck to be shipped out as soon as it comes off the presses (if you know me you know I am saying that through humbled laughter). To everything in between from an Ava Anderson basket full of wonderful products, to mommy and me visors, goodies from France and LOTS, Lots more.......!
Kaz families are the best and I love that this celebration of our families also is an opportunity to give back children that are forever engrained in our hearts, but may never know the love of a family.
I am getting really excited seeing the incredible items families are bringing for the raffle.
Donations can be be as big as one of Steve Morrison's handmade top quality play tables which he will aslo pay for shipping cost (shipping alone is $300, plus the $500 table), to something as simple as the upcoming adoption book by new Children's Author and Kazapalooza Planner Kristan Struck to be shipped out as soon as it comes off the presses (if you know me you know I am saying that through humbled laughter). To everything in between from an Ava Anderson basket full of wonderful products, to mommy and me visors, goodies from France and LOTS, Lots more.......!
Kaz families are the best and I love that this celebration of our families also is an opportunity to give back children that are forever engrained in our hearts, but may never know the love of a family.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Beach Portrait Deadline Reminder
THE ABSOLUTE FINAL DEADLINE to preregister and prepay for beach portraits will be WED. MAY 25. There will be NO exceptions and there will be No sign ups at Kazapalooza.
So if you are interested please go to http://karenharrisonphotography.com/blog/uncategorized/kazapalooza-family-portraits/ to make your reservations and payment today. Password is kazkids.
So if you are interested please go to http://karenharrisonphotography.com/blog/uncategorized/kazapalooza-family-portraits/ to make your reservations and payment today. Password is kazkids.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Kazapalooza Expectations
Hi Kazapalooza Families,
Today marks two weeks until Kazapalooza 2011.
As many of you are making preparations to head to St. Pete Beach in two weeks, or making a pre trip to Orlando or another destination prior, there is a lot of anticipation in the air. On your part and the planners, at least for me-Kristan, :-)
Some of you are attending your first KP and have no idea what to expect while some of you are seasoned pros.
As anticipation and excitement rises, I would just like to ask each one of you for your patience and to remember that all of the planners are volunteers and we do this in our "spare" time. We are all busy moms with jam packed lives like each of you. Unfortunately none of of our current or previous careers happened to be as event planners :)
Each year Kazapalooza is "new" to all of us. It is in a new location, with new support staff at a new hotel, with new families, new memories to be made and also new things that could go wong(I write with a laugh and a sigh). This is our largest KP yet; 125 families, give or take by the actual time of the event. That is unbelievable as four years ago we had 40 families.
We plan all year to make this an special event for everyone. We take great pride in making KP the best event that it can be on a budget which is made up only from registration fees and starts over each year.
While we think of many details, we do miss a few so please be kind, :) Thankfully our KP families are the best and have always been gracious!
There is going to be a lot of information flowing in the next couple of weeks. Please be sure to check the blog, www.kazapalooza.blogspot.com , fb (Kazapalooza 2011 event page) and/or the yahoo group regularly. If you are not signed up to receive e-mails from the blog, yahoo or fb, you might want to consider doing so.
We are trying to reply to all e-mails and in a timely manner. If 48 hours goes by with no response, please feel free to e-mail us again as we may not have received your first one.
If you have to cancel please let us know as soon as you do and please be sure to cancel your hotel room ASAP.
We want to thank you ahead of time for your patience and honestly we can not wait to see all of you in two weeks to celebrate our children, our families, Kazakhstan and remembering the children left behind!!!
See you in two weeks friends!
Today marks two weeks until Kazapalooza 2011.
As many of you are making preparations to head to St. Pete Beach in two weeks, or making a pre trip to Orlando or another destination prior, there is a lot of anticipation in the air. On your part and the planners, at least for me-Kristan, :-)
Some of you are attending your first KP and have no idea what to expect while some of you are seasoned pros.
As anticipation and excitement rises, I would just like to ask each one of you for your patience and to remember that all of the planners are volunteers and we do this in our "spare" time. We are all busy moms with jam packed lives like each of you. Unfortunately none of of our current or previous careers happened to be as event planners :)
Each year Kazapalooza is "new" to all of us. It is in a new location, with new support staff at a new hotel, with new families, new memories to be made and also new things that could go wong(I write with a laugh and a sigh). This is our largest KP yet; 125 families, give or take by the actual time of the event. That is unbelievable as four years ago we had 40 families.
We plan all year to make this an special event for everyone. We take great pride in making KP the best event that it can be on a budget which is made up only from registration fees and starts over each year.
While we think of many details, we do miss a few so please be kind, :) Thankfully our KP families are the best and have always been gracious!
There is going to be a lot of information flowing in the next couple of weeks. Please be sure to check the blog, www.kazapalooza.blogspot.com , fb (Kazapalooza 2011 event page) and/or the yahoo group regularly. If you are not signed up to receive e-mails from the blog, yahoo or fb, you might want to consider doing so.
We are trying to reply to all e-mails and in a timely manner. If 48 hours goes by with no response, please feel free to e-mail us again as we may not have received your first one.
If you have to cancel please let us know as soon as you do and please be sure to cancel your hotel room ASAP.
We want to thank you ahead of time for your patience and honestly we can not wait to see all of you in two weeks to celebrate our children, our families, Kazakhstan and remembering the children left behind!!!
See you in two weeks friends!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kazapalooza 2011 Itinerary
Friday June 3
2- 3 pm: Early check in for registration. Pick up goody bag, name tags and shirt (if ordered)
*If you are at the hotel at this time, we encourage you to please take advantage of early registration as we have 125 families attending this year.
*Raffle drop off to still be determined.
5- 6:15 pm: Check in continued, Meet and Greet
*This event will be held outside so please dress accordingly*
6:30 pm: Dinner: Same location as Check in/Meet and Greet.
Stay after dinner and watch the beautiful FL sunset over the beach.
Friday night menu:Mixed Greens Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Black Olives, Carrot Threads and Assorted Dressings
Rotini Pasta Salad with Artichokes, Sundried Tomatoes and Cherry Peppers
Mixed Fruit Salad
Baked Potato Salad with Roasted Anaheim Peppers
Spiced Ground Beef Taco Bar with Flour and Corn Tortillas
Mac & cheese
Cookies & Brownies
Tea and water will be served with meal.
*there will be a cash bar for other beverage options.
Saturday June 4
8 -10:45 am: Beach Portraits for preregistered/prepaid families.
Times will be announced at a later date.
11-11:30: Preview raffle items and buy raffle tickets. $5 each
11:30-1:30: Lunch, slideshow, followed by Raffle-location of banquet room will be given Fri. night.
* Wear your Kazapalooza t-shirts to the luncheon*
Lunch menu:Garden Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Carrot with Assorted Dressings
Grilled All Beef Patties, All Beef Hot Dogs, Veggie Burgers
BBQ Basted Chicken Legs and Thighs
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Dill Pickles, Sliced Red Onion
Baked Beans
Corn on the Cobb
Southern Potato Salad
Assorted Cookies and Sliced Watermelon
Cake and cupcakes
Tea and water will be served with Meal
*there will be a cash bar for other beverage options
3:30: Beach Social-Optional-meet on beach for games and good old fashion fun in the sun with friends.
Dinner: free: make your own plans.
7:00: Pirate Show put on by the hotel
Sunday June 5:9-11: Doughnuts and juice, while they last, in hospitality room as we say goodbye until next year.
2- 3 pm: Early check in for registration. Pick up goody bag, name tags and shirt (if ordered)
*If you are at the hotel at this time, we encourage you to please take advantage of early registration as we have 125 families attending this year.
*Raffle drop off to still be determined.
5- 6:15 pm: Check in continued, Meet and Greet
*This event will be held outside so please dress accordingly*
6:30 pm: Dinner: Same location as Check in/Meet and Greet.
Stay after dinner and watch the beautiful FL sunset over the beach.
Friday night menu:Mixed Greens Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Black Olives, Carrot Threads and Assorted Dressings
Rotini Pasta Salad with Artichokes, Sundried Tomatoes and Cherry Peppers
Mixed Fruit Salad
Baked Potato Salad with Roasted Anaheim Peppers
Spiced Ground Beef Taco Bar with Flour and Corn Tortillas
Mac & cheese
Cookies & Brownies
Tea and water will be served with meal.
*there will be a cash bar for other beverage options.
Saturday June 4
8 -10:45 am: Beach Portraits for preregistered/prepaid families.
Times will be announced at a later date.
11-11:30: Preview raffle items and buy raffle tickets. $5 each
11:30-1:30: Lunch, slideshow, followed by Raffle-location of banquet room will be given Fri. night.
* Wear your Kazapalooza t-shirts to the luncheon*
Lunch menu:Garden Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Carrot with Assorted Dressings
Grilled All Beef Patties, All Beef Hot Dogs, Veggie Burgers
BBQ Basted Chicken Legs and Thighs
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Dill Pickles, Sliced Red Onion
Baked Beans
Corn on the Cobb
Southern Potato Salad
Assorted Cookies and Sliced Watermelon
Cake and cupcakes
Tea and water will be served with Meal
*there will be a cash bar for other beverage options
3:30: Beach Social-Optional-meet on beach for games and good old fashion fun in the sun with friends.
Dinner: free: make your own plans.
7:00: Pirate Show put on by the hotel
Sunday June 5:9-11: Doughnuts and juice, while they last, in hospitality room as we say goodbye until next year.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Oops
Some of you received an e-mail from this blog about Friday night at the Children's Museum.
That was from last year. We have no idea how or why that was sent.
Our entire weekend of KP will be at Tradewinds at the beach.
Stay tuned for the agenda in the upcoming week.
Thanks! Sorry if there was any confussion.
That was from last year. We have no idea how or why that was sent.
Our entire weekend of KP will be at Tradewinds at the beach.
Stay tuned for the agenda in the upcoming week.
Thanks! Sorry if there was any confussion.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
What is included in the registration fee:
There have been some questions about what is included in the registration fee for our weekend.
Your registration fee includes dinner for Friday night, lunch Saturday, a goody bag for each family. Plus all the costs that it takes to put on the event for the weekend such as hospitality room for each night, audio/visual equipment, microphone, name tags, Saturday dessert, cake cutting fee if needed, entertainment and/or games, pay pal fees, family books, prizes, etc.
I would like to mention that all of the planners pay registration fees, purchase our shirts and bring our own donations for the raffle.
In the upcoming week as we finalize all the details, keep an eye out for the weekend agenda. It's getting close! Planning is wrapping up and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone in St. Pete!
Your registration fee includes dinner for Friday night, lunch Saturday, a goody bag for each family. Plus all the costs that it takes to put on the event for the weekend such as hospitality room for each night, audio/visual equipment, microphone, name tags, Saturday dessert, cake cutting fee if needed, entertainment and/or games, pay pal fees, family books, prizes, etc.
I would like to mention that all of the planners pay registration fees, purchase our shirts and bring our own donations for the raffle.
In the upcoming week as we finalize all the details, keep an eye out for the weekend agenda. It's getting close! Planning is wrapping up and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone in St. Pete!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
2011 Charity Announced!!
We are very excited to announce this year's charity will be Antares Foundation! Below you can read about Antares and the project we hope to complete.
The Antares Foundation was incorporated in 2004 to help provide support for orphans in the North Kazakhstan Region through child sponsorship, educational programs, meeting medical needs and providing needs of the orphanages. Antares has been involved in many projects over the past seven years such as purchasing washing machines and satellite for all the family groups at the Regional Boarding School in Petropavlovsk, providing soft indoor play equipment for the Poludino and Disabled Orphanages, creating a relaxation room at the Disabled Orphanage, and many other projects.
Antares has recently started renovations and upgrades for the library at the Sokolovka Orphanage. With a recent generous donation we were able to start purchasing books and part of the shelving we will need. The windows, flooring and lighting will need to be replaced and the ceilings repaired. For us this orphanage was the most neglected in our area.
Each year the planners of Kazapalooza choose a charity that supports orphan children in Kazakhstan. This year several organizations submitted applications outlining certain projects that we could support. We received four application this year. The decision was a difficult one as we are familiar with all four groups and the projects they outlined were all wonderful ways to support the children and young people in Kazakhstan. The charity was chosen by majority vote of the six planners.
In previous years we have chosen one charity to support, but this year we have decided to chose one primary chairty (Antares) to recieve 80% of the donations with the remaining 20% being divided evenly among SPOON, Two Hearts For Hope, and Dream Prosperity. Each charity will then be allowed to set up informational booths after the raffle on Saturday to give our families a way to learn more about each group.
Raffle
We have many new families this year that may not be familiar with our raffle. To give you all an idea of what to expect, here is a brief overview of our raffle and a sample of donation ideas.
We ask that each family bring a donation to be raffled at our luncheon on Saturday. It can be any sized donation. Our families are some of the most generous and imaginative with their donations. Past donations have included baskets containing spa products, local souvenirs, gift cards, handmade hair bows, and jewelry. Kazakh related items are always a big hit. In the past there have been tote bags embroidered with the Kp logo, stained glass of the Kazakh flag, and even a child size lawn chair with the flag woven into the seat. Many of our families donate items from their businesses such as hand made tables, chairs, hair bows, and even a autographed book.
If you have friends that are talented and would be willing to donate an item, ask! Families and friends of our attendees often love helping by giving items. Please keep in mind that our families are coming from all over the country, even Canada. Many will be flying home so large items may be best showcased with a picture and offer to ship to the winner.
You will be able to purchase tickets for $5 each on Friday or Saturday. This money goes directly to the charities we support. To purchase tickets, just find one of the planners. We will be wearing a ribbon on our name tags.
Friday night we ask you drop off your donated items for the raffle at registration. Tables will be set up at the luncheon on Saturday for you to browse and look over the items. On Saturday, you will place your tickets in a cup which corresponds to the donation you would like to win. We will pull tickets at the luncheon and give you your prize that day. This year we will only be choosing one name for each donation and will have the item brought to your room or left at the front desk. Please be sure and ask on check out if you have any items waiting if you have left the luncheon. If you are not staying at the hotel we will contact you via the info you gave upon registration.
Also if you are unable to attend this year's event, you may still donate items for the raffle. Send us an email to get more information.
We are so excited about this year's event and cannot wait to share this weekend with you, our wonderful Kaz families.
The Antares Foundation was incorporated in 2004 to help provide support for orphans in the North Kazakhstan Region through child sponsorship, educational programs, meeting medical needs and providing needs of the orphanages. Antares has been involved in many projects over the past seven years such as purchasing washing machines and satellite for all the family groups at the Regional Boarding School in Petropavlovsk, providing soft indoor play equipment for the Poludino and Disabled Orphanages, creating a relaxation room at the Disabled Orphanage, and many other projects.
Antares has recently started renovations and upgrades for the library at the Sokolovka Orphanage. With a recent generous donation we were able to start purchasing books and part of the shelving we will need. The windows, flooring and lighting will need to be replaced and the ceilings repaired. For us this orphanage was the most neglected in our area.
Each year the planners of Kazapalooza choose a charity that supports orphan children in Kazakhstan. This year several organizations submitted applications outlining certain projects that we could support. We received four application this year. The decision was a difficult one as we are familiar with all four groups and the projects they outlined were all wonderful ways to support the children and young people in Kazakhstan. The charity was chosen by majority vote of the six planners.
In previous years we have chosen one charity to support, but this year we have decided to chose one primary chairty (Antares) to recieve 80% of the donations with the remaining 20% being divided evenly among SPOON, Two Hearts For Hope, and Dream Prosperity. Each charity will then be allowed to set up informational booths after the raffle on Saturday to give our families a way to learn more about each group.
Raffle
We have many new families this year that may not be familiar with our raffle. To give you all an idea of what to expect, here is a brief overview of our raffle and a sample of donation ideas.
We ask that each family bring a donation to be raffled at our luncheon on Saturday. It can be any sized donation. Our families are some of the most generous and imaginative with their donations. Past donations have included baskets containing spa products, local souvenirs, gift cards, handmade hair bows, and jewelry. Kazakh related items are always a big hit. In the past there have been tote bags embroidered with the Kp logo, stained glass of the Kazakh flag, and even a child size lawn chair with the flag woven into the seat. Many of our families donate items from their businesses such as hand made tables, chairs, hair bows, and even a autographed book.
If you have friends that are talented and would be willing to donate an item, ask! Families and friends of our attendees often love helping by giving items. Please keep in mind that our families are coming from all over the country, even Canada. Many will be flying home so large items may be best showcased with a picture and offer to ship to the winner.
You will be able to purchase tickets for $5 each on Friday or Saturday. This money goes directly to the charities we support. To purchase tickets, just find one of the planners. We will be wearing a ribbon on our name tags.
Friday night we ask you drop off your donated items for the raffle at registration. Tables will be set up at the luncheon on Saturday for you to browse and look over the items. On Saturday, you will place your tickets in a cup which corresponds to the donation you would like to win. We will pull tickets at the luncheon and give you your prize that day. This year we will only be choosing one name for each donation and will have the item brought to your room or left at the front desk. Please be sure and ask on check out if you have any items waiting if you have left the luncheon. If you are not staying at the hotel we will contact you via the info you gave upon registration.
Also if you are unable to attend this year's event, you may still donate items for the raffle. Send us an email to get more information.
We are so excited about this year's event and cannot wait to share this weekend with you, our wonderful Kaz families.
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