Well, the State Troopers did not return to the '93 Unexpected Party - I hear they're still trying to finish "The Hobbit". But it turned out to be a very memorable celebration of 20 years. Yes-- a real Barrel Ride-- just as promised.

The Fellowship began thinking about the 20th Anniversary around the sweet 16th Birthday of the Unexpected Party. Many wondered to themselves if the Fellowship would still be into adventures and things by then.

No problem: the 17th, 18th and 19th Unexpected Parties seemed to get better and better and immediately following the 19th the plan began. The master plan, it would seem. Tit and Gos would write letters: the first letter would be sent by Tit early in the year so all the young Hobbits could adjust their calendars. Tit's letter, announcing the dates as August 6,7, & 8 was accompanied by a panoramic photo of last years party which was taken by Pat.
Gos would follow up with a letter designed to get everyone "into it" promising 'The' event of the summer. Meanwhile Tit, John and Gos were helping Jerry Beorn Gos with his vision of a revitalized lair. Tree would be moved, land would be cleared and a new stage would be erected at the center of the party site.
Mary, Sharon and the Gosney children would be painting picnic tables, the cabin and even the rocks to create a festive feeling for all who would come. Many miles south, mini gatherings were being held to assemble a band worthy to play at the 20th anniversary and worthy to be named "Tit and the Knockers" as Cheech, John and Tit were spending months assuring the right sounds would fill air at Beorn's Lair.

Cheech was also checking into the needs of the band (amps, pre-amps,woofers, and tweeters,keyboards pianos, drums and guitars) what more could we ask? Well how about tee shirts?
Marie with the help of Debbie and Henry accepted the task to design a tee shirt worthy to be worn by all at the 20th. No easy task. and thats not all: Bilbo Baggins spent hours making tapes realizing that he'd probably never see them again after The Unexpected Party and Cathy. Noreen and Pat were busy making costumes, nostalgic tee shirts, personalized mugs, pictures, poems and plays.

All this and more of course under the watchful eyes of Gandalf.

We were all met at Beorn's by a sign stating 'no admittance- except party business' and pary business it was. The master plan had worked. All our effort would make the 20th an extravaganza by uniting all the young Hobbits for an anniversay reunion of out first Unexpected Party.

After all, we've all had a first Unexpected Party. Ancient Hobbits, Wizards, dwarfs and men all joined in the party business-- Harvey, Paul, Scott, Duane, Cheech, Gos, John, Cathy, Tit, Liscovitz, Noreen, Bot and the evil one Gallagher represented about 199 celebrations unexpected Parties. Marie, Henry Debbie, Mary, Jerry, Sharon, George, Barry, Marylou, Martha, Dave, Donny B, Danny, Joey G., Pat, Pete, represented another 139, and Butts, Jabber, Patty, Mary Lyn, Peggy, Joannne, Peter D., Smitty, Kelly, Craig, Layne, Jackie, and Eggy still another 39 unexpected parties.

Newcomers to the party: Billy, Kate, Jeanie (lead female vocalist), Bill, Joe (Let's set up a tent), Pshemic and Jola (no polish yokes this year), Humps (aka Pierre'), Brundage, Tommy (really didn't know what day it was), Patty (please pass the tequila), Laura (2 years old at the first U.P), Dave (Professor of Passion), Dino (another Kermidas Brother), John, Donald, Mota , Danny's sister & husband.

Now that's what I call party Business!!!! Dave and Debbie would be the first to arrive from afar and they were the first of many to be so pleasantly surprised by the changes that had occurred two by two, four by four Hobbits began arriving and before you could say welcome to the unexpected party, Hobbit greetings and gathering were taking place all over.

One by one tents were popping up, spiedies were sizzling, beer balls were flowing and the lair was filled with laughter. Yes - things were taking shape. Harvey, having failed in his mission to get Jake to attend the first Unexpected Party held on his birthday took on the role as head Ryder roadie as he and Cheech maneuvered all the way down the trail to our "Welcome to the 20th anniversary of Unexpected Party" sign with a Ryder truck full of band equipment. Cheech immediately began setting up the stereo and several hous later we finally had music. No one seemed to mind that the speakers were hooked up wrong and were eventually rendered useless.

At least they didn't end up in the pond. Meanwhile, on the upper level of this new multi-level party palce Marie and Debbie nervously unveiled the unexpected "T" shirt hoping that the fellowship would be happy. No need to worry: the shirts were unexpectedly great and everyone was thrilled. In no time Hobbits everywhere were wearing our new shirts

On the lower level spiedies were now being devoured while one level up the slammer table was getting prepared for the biggest Unexpected Party ever. Humps was put in charge of the weekend fire and by the time the party ended Humps was very well known. Many even became aware how Humps got his name as his Saturday Midhight swim seemingly consisted of humping the empty beer balls that were thrown in the pond. The fire was prominent however for the 20th, as it should be. Many years past the fire was the center of the night gatherings at Unexpected Party

Friday night started slow. As the music was being set up small gatherings were being held all over the new party place. Younger wizards by the cabin, Ancient Hobbits under the party tent and theirs up on top but with the music came the rain and soon everybody gathered under the tent and the party became one. Tommy was played in it's entirety and the party went til the wee hours of the morning. Bilbo Baggins had the Friday night glow that he usually saved for Saturday as he sang and danced to his "rid of the shingles and panic attack rhapsody". Yes- Friday nights's motto seemed to be "we go down at dawn".

And Dawn it was when Mary somehow enticed Gos to a motel for the first time ever at the Unexpected Party. (at least since the hotel Gosney was destroyed by evil forces many years ago).

Saturday morning was as wet as usual so George and Pete set out on a Hay ride and returned with ten bales of hay to lay down on the muddied dance floor. Hay is now a two year tradition but no one would mind if we could end it here. The clouds rolled in and the day was getting darker. Around three o'clock gallagher the evil one showed up for his first Unexpected Party in 15 years and ironically enough with Gallagher came a beautiful rainbow that stretched to there and back again. Yes the day brightened and the weather turned out great as the sun shined brightly until the sky would be overrun by stars. It would be a beautiful Saturday night.

The view of the picturesque night horizon of star and moon could only be equaled by the reflecton in the pond or the crystal ball held by Gandalf on our shirts. Layne, Jackie and Dave flew in from Philly to complete the fab six with Cheech, John and Tit. Tit's dream of being a rock & roll star was getting closer and closer. Paul was getting into it more and more as he video taped each separate event as if it were planned. Scott showed up with brownies instead of a song and by the end of the evening people did want more. Bolt came with enough reason to stay awhile and Liscoviz and Joannne helped complete the scene.

A reunion it was.

Donny Bergin decided to just do it and came to his first Unexpected Party in three years. He got so excited about seeing the friendly Hobbit faces, he promptly locked his keys in his burglar proof car. Burglar Baggins was engrossed in band practice so Donny had to drive into Binghamton for another set of keys. He returned in time for the show. The show formerly called the Gong show and then Gandalf's Pageant is now referred to simply and affectionately as 'The Show'.

A tent to match the party tent was erected over the new stage and under the tent was tons of band equipment 3 keyboards, a piano, 13 guitars, 15 mics and Cheech's drums backdropped by a Who banner indicating The Kid's are alright" If not for the mirror like reflection on the pond it would've been a once in a lifetime scene.

As we neared the start of the show, Chairs were being strategically placed around the pond and the stars were going over their acts one fianl time. Tit requested that Gos be the master of ceremonies and Gos start things off.
The first act was Jackie,Layne,Dave, and Cheech as 'Definitely Dave and the Professors of Passion' performed an accoustic set to preview the later return of Tit and the Knockers. Gos then showed everyone the problems that Jerry faced in getting McGraw Maintenence to excavate the property to get ready for the 20th Unexpected Party in a one way phone conversation with one of Mcgraws leading citizens.

Tit's jokes then preceeded Cathy, Noreen, Mary and Pat in "the return of the slammar plum fairy". John and Cathy then celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary with a few songs the disfunctional Family -Feud seemed somewhat fixed as the Mcgraw's just couldn't get their heads together as the Kennedy's of Massachussets whipped em soundly.

Tit and the Knockers would then take the stage with a Moody Blues classic, Nights in White Satin" and rocked on with some great music including Zepplin. The Who and the Beatles.

Oh what a night it was.

'been a long time since I rock & rolled', 'we won't get fooled again' and finally a 1/2 hour rendition of "Hey Jude" as dozen of Hobbits joined in the singing. The band finished, the stereo was turned on and the party got going.

Humps in the pond, Butts strategically placed under photographers, Paul takin videos Pat fixing slammers Cathy changing shirts, Debbie liftin shirts, Jula lookin for dance partners, Tit grinnin, John singin, Gos thinkin--

How can we top this.

As everyone dwindled off to finally sleep the Mcgraw woods for some reason had a very peaceful calm about it and in the morning early risers and late sleepers got up and left as quickly as they came. No need for long good-byes, no need for any good byes. Its's very much understood.

And a Gandalf left the party, as usual the last to leave, he took down the sign. This is the last official act at every Unexpected Party. He couldn't help but think one last thought: "I got a feelin 21 is gonna be a good year" If I told you what it takes to reach the highest high, you'd laugh and say nothin's that simple..... Well you've been told many times before since the night we all knocked on Bilbo's door the fellowship will help us beat the big chill....... I'll see-----you on July 22nd. Group picture 3:00 pm Sat!!! I have no doubt that the entire fellowship will make every effort to complete the picture sent out earlier. I know that al the Hobbit calendars are marked for a special July 22-24 The Kids are alright!