2026 Banquet Stuff

[Scott McKee]

Let me run this by you: We hold this year's banquet at the Eldredge Club.

• Tickets would be only $35. 
• Buffet dinner.
• Cash bar, but a very reasonably priced cash bar.
• Copious FREE parking.
• Intimate, familiar venue.
• The Edlredge Club has been very kind and accommodating to our club over the years. Holding our banquet there is a nice way to say thanks.
• Our penciled in date for the prom is Saturday, April 18.

I vote "yes", but let me know your thoughts.

[Scott McKee]

On a side note, our club picked up two Shimano Tranx 400's (one left hand and one right hand) at a screaming price for our banquet raffle table.

[Joe Dolan]

What is our max capacity for the Eldredge Club?

[Tony Scime]

100% Yes. We used to have a Christmas banquet there and the food was always good and plentiful and there was plenty of space for a full crowd.

[Scott McKee]

Good question, Joe. If we decided on the Edlredge Club we would have to reserve for 50. I'd bet we couldn't squeeze in too many more than that.

[Joe Dolan]

Thanks, Scott.  Food was always great there.  Hopefully 50 is not too low, but our ticket presales will see a boost ;) 

[John Jarosz]

ABSOLUTELY the Eldredge Club.

[Stephen Glassic]

Would it be possible and/or practical to consider the Pearl Street Grill with pay bar?

[John Pensyl]

Im a fan of supporting the eldridge club. A nice simple night sounds amazing right now.

[Scott McKee]

Steve, we explored the Pearl Street without open bar. The cost was $36 per person plus tax, plus gratuity,  plus an administrative fee. When you factor in a parking fee and more expensive beverages we didn't feel this was a feasible option.

[Louis M. Long]

I vote yes. 

[Stephen Glassic]

Maybe you already discussed these thoughts but:

For me, I would only have one or two drinks, so I would be OK with a pay bar. Also, I am wondering if the Eldridge Club's spread will compare to that of the Pearl Street Grill. I also wonder if there would be enough room at the Eldridge for us, the banquet tables and the raffle tables. Also, since the bar is a separate room, there may be a disconnect between those in the main room and those in the bar. Space could be a consideration since more people may want to attend with a lower price tag!

Scott McKee said:

Steve, we explored the Pearl Street without open bar. The cost was $36 per person plus tax, plus gratuity,  plus an administrative fee. When you factor in a parking fee and more expensive beverages we didn't feel this was a feasible option.

[John Jarosz]

Last April I went to the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs Awards Banquet at the Cooperative Extension Service building in Lockport. Unfortunately, it turned out to be on the same date as our banquet at Pearl Street. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have gone  to Lockport, except I was being presented an award.
I didn't think it would happen, but I felt like I had a better time at the NCFCC Banquet than the last couple of NMA banquets. That's not to say that the NMA banquets weren't nice, but I felt more relaxed, parking wasn't a hassle & it wasn't a hassle getting there, like downtown can be. It was low-key, simple, a cash bar that consisted of three picnic tables with beers in an ice chest & Grey Goose on the back table, and a raffle table, along with speakers, awards, etc. 
Maybe it's my age, maybe it's not caring to go downtown anymore, maybe it was its simplicity, but it certainly was more enjoyable. I was with people I knew & fished with, just like our club. I have every intention of going to that same award's banquet this year, which is why I asked for the date of ours. 
The only choice I want to make these days is what fly to put on the end of my leader.