On Saturday September 23rd, to celebrate the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, TheOneRing.net and fans of Tolkien gathered in Griffith Park for our annual picnic and celebration.
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The weather could not have been better–blue skies and a fair breeze with enjoyable temperatures. There were plenty of trees to provide shade and a lovely backdrop. A potluck of great variety and creativeness was laid upon the table in the food tent as well as in several realms throughout the area.
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Gathered for the day were Hobbits in number, along with Elves, Dwarves, Men (as in men and women), Wizards (never late), Children, Dogs, a Kitten, Gollum, and even the Eye of Sauron deigned to join us. Peter Jackson made a brief appearance, or perhaps it was a fan who looked remarkably like him down to the flip flops.
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Activities included a Costume Contest where participants amused the crowd and judges with inventive backstories, a nail-biter of a Trivia Contest MC’d by TORn Tuesday’s Clifford Scott Broadway, and a Dwarf toss.
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Late in the afternoon, music could be heard floating through the valley provided by Singing Gandalf accompanied by an Elf on guitar and a Hobbit with a beautiful voice.
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To wrap up the day, TORn’s own Sarumann (Josh Rubenstein) gave Bilbo’s well-known and loved birthday party speech then disappeared without a trace. Party-goers lingered well past dusk to enjoy the ambience of our own corner of Middle-earth.
This Hobbit/Elf is looking forward to next year already. We hope you will join us then.