Gigapalooza 2018

Gigapalooza 2018

Gigapalooza 2018 is the second annual festival celebrating Old Frisco and all things “Coon.” It started out as an idea in the mind (well, what little mind he has left anyway!) of longtime Frisco resident, raconteur, and libertine Gregory E. “Gig” Gross. Outgoing and enigmatic, a true rebel in every sense of the word, he needed to get back to Frisco to see his many friends all in one place at one time.

He was daydreaming one day and an idea came to him. “I could have a party, something informal in or close to Frisco and round up all my friends.” The notion began to take root and before he knew it he had it all planned. He would rent the conference center at Hidden Cove Park on Lake Lewisville near Frisco. Have a barbecue and a band and make it an all-day affair so it would be great for socializing and schmoozing.

Being on disability, therefore impecunious, he was faced with the challenge of how to go about procuring the funds for such an undertaking. Then it came to him…. use the GoFundMe site on Facebook. Have some kind folks chip in to help defray the costs. Last year, in just a little over a week he had enough money in donations  with which to make the deposit on the venue.

Next, he needed a name for the event. Somewhat narcissistic in nature, Gig came up with “Gigapalooza,” which took care of two things. The first part to satisfy his vainglorious needs; the second part to convey the jubilee atmosphere.

Johnny and Roxanne will be serving their amazing barbecue throughout the day again this year. Words fall far short of being able to describe just how good them vittles are!

Jeff Smithart, 2017 Outlaw Country Artist of the Year, will be providing live music from 6 to 10 pm. Jeff’s good. He’s really good.

Professional videography of the event provided by none other than the peerless Ron Lyons. 

And the inimitable Douglas Box will be there offering his two books: "Cutter Frisco- Growing Up on the Original Southfork," and "Texas Patriarch- A Legacy Lost." The first book is obviously about him spending his early years on the Box Ranch just east of town, and the second one is about Mr. Cloyce Box, his father and one of Gig’s mentors in this life of his. Interesting and thought-provoking books that one would expect from such a unique individual.

If you are reading this, Gig says, consider it an invitation to join him at the festival. It helps if you consider him to be your friend but come anyway even if you’ve not yet met him. You’re likely to leave having made a new friend. Or two. Or a bunch!

The get-together will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 10 am. to 10 pm. in the Conference Center at Hidden Cove Park, 20400 Hackberry Creek Park Road, Frisco, TX 75034. Last year’s turnout was a lot better than could have ever been expected. It is anticipated that this year will be even better than that!

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There will be those of you who will be attending that I have never met. And there are some of you that I have met, but for a multitude of reasons I might not remember you. Please do not get your feelings hurt. I’ve got CRS (You know…. Can’t Remember Shit) really bad. And don’t forget about that truck running over me too! Anyway, if you’d be so kind, would you come up and either introduce yourself or re-introduce yourself if it’s been a spell since we’ve seen one another? I’m looking forward to being in your presence!

It’s B.Y.O.B. No glass containers inside the park.

If you plan on spending the night, it will be necessary for you to camp in a tent and pay $25 for the night. They won’t let you sleep in your car or truck. The shelters can be rented for $50 per night and you are allowed to put up two tents with the rental. Bathrooms are nearby. You also get two vehicle passes with the rental of a shelter. This is a good deal.

Entry fee is $15.00 per vehicle, no limit to the number of occupants. Should you need to call the park for any more info, that number is [phone redacted].

And I’d like to remind anybody and everybody who is gonna be drinking to be responsible toward yourself and others. This means don’t get snot-slingin’, commode-huggin’ drunk where you cannot talk or walk. Please do not put me in a position to have to ask you to leave because you are not conducting yourself in an orderly and respectable manner. And I damn sure don’t want you to drink and drive. Get a designated driver or bring a tent and just spend the night. Or you can call a taxi from The Colony, we’ll furnish you with phone numbers. I ain’t kiddin’ neither.

You will be able to make donations (Cash Only) at the party.

I’d like for you to take a minute and think about how wonderful it’s gonna be to see some of those folks we haven’t seen in years, if not decades. I ain’t gonna lie; I have missed most all my friends. But there are some that I have missed like a case of poison ivy! LOL

No pets allowed.

In case you have any questions or concerns I can be reached at [phone redacted]. My email address is [email redacted]. I am here on Facebook under “Gig Gross.” Any suggestions or ideas you might have as to how we might make this party more fun I’d surely love to hear from you about them.

There will be a dessert table for you to bring your favorite desserts to share if you’d like. And this year we are gonna have name tags. And a guest book so that you may write anything profound that you think I might need to know or give me your contact info. Or maybe you’ve got a story about you and me that you would like to write about?

Please be sure to share this with all your friends so that more people will know about this event. Nobody, especially a dyed-in-the-wool Coon, wants to miss something like this!

P.S. As many of you know, and for those of you who do not, I receive Social Security Disability as my only source of income. The amount of money I collect each month is minimal, barely covering the expenses I incur just to live.

The only way I can put Gigapalooza on is with your help of a cash donation.

Should you choose to donate, your money will go towards: securing any and all permits required; paying the rent and the deposit on the Conference Center; acquiring the band; rental of the tables & chairs for the venue; purchase of name tags and the guest book; and obtaining other incidentals.

Your participation will help make it possible for me to cover all these expenses. I would like to thank you in advance for your timely contribution.

In a very short while Gigapalooza will be upon us!