On Saturday September 22, 2012 over 150 Southern California Ringers were treated to a party of special magnificence. Hobbits, elves and wizards gathered in Griffith Park and ate plentiful food, drank refreshing beverages, read the first chapter of The Hobbit, sang songs, played games, won prizes, received mathomsĀ and had the most fantastic time celebrating the 10th anniversary of the event. Of course, reasons to celebrate also included the 75th anniversary of the publication of “The Hobbit” (September 21) and Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday (September 22).

LA Weekly did a story of special magnificence about the event, including background on TheOneRing.net and speculation from some well-known picnic goers about the upcoming Hobbit movies. For example, our own Cliff Broadway, a.k.a. “Quickbeam” offers this on why three movies: “A few million dollars [investment from Warner Brothers] equals another billion dollar box office,” Broadway says, explaining that with the set already built and the actors already in New Zealand, it made financial sense to expand. “But Peter, when you ask him in an interview, Peter will say, ‘I’ve got so much more story to tell.'” Continue reading for more pictures of the event, and follow the “Read more” link for the entire LA Weekly story. Read more…

Picnic attendees were treated to two beautifully decorated birthday cakes for dessert:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a devoted fan sporting a very impressive Ring verse tattoo:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cliff Broadway, a.k.a. “Quickbeam” enthralls the attendees with a few “an Elf, a Dwarf and a Hobbit walk into a bar” jokes (not really – right Cliff?):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wizard is never late. He arrives at the picnic precisely when he means to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What better way to relax after a big meal than sitting down and reading, what else? The Hobbit!