24 + 5 = 52

No, my math skills are not that bad. On June 18th - 19th, 2008, five of us ladies stayed in the parking lot of Chick-fil-A for 24 hours to win 52 coupons for free chicken sandwiches. Crazy, you say? Perhaps, but when else could you have a corn-hole tournament less than 500 feet from Nicholasville Road?

The day started at 0600 hours Wednesday when the five of us (Megan, Grace, Lyndee, Bekah and I) arrived to pitch our tent and be in line to sign in at 0630 hours on the dot. This is us in line to register. We look pretty excited considering the time!We pitched our tent first thing; it was nick-named the EpCottage by the parking lot socialite, Joe. Though embarrassing, the supplies heaped below were "the necessities" to get us through 24 hours. It's really embarrassing, actually.We spent the day playing lots of games, consuming lots of chicken and sweet tea, and meeting lots of new people. Grace and Lyndee both spent quite of bit of time in the King Square, and Megan and I played the longest game of corn-hole ever with two of the guys from across the parking lot. We also played some board games when the sun got too hot, improvising with a hairbrush so all five of us could play Racko.

Every so often, the Chick-fil-A people would yell "Roll Call!" and we'd have to stand on our chalk numbers in front of our tent. This was how they made sure you were still on the property and could keep your registered number. The five of us were numbers 30 through 34 and we weren't about to move! Usually, when the people called "Roll Call!" they also handed out food. We ate so much fried chicken on Wednesday that the 52 coupons for more chicken didn't sound quite as good as they did before we started. But that didn't stop us from eating everything they handed out. Mm, Mm good!

The sun finally set and the party in the parking lot calmed down (the Chick-fil-A cow made an appearance, there was karaoke, many tournaments and give-aways, and more chicken and ice cream!). We bedded down all snug in the tent and actually got a couple hours sleep despite (or perhaps because of) the rainstorm.

Next morning, we packed up and attended the grand opening of the newest Chick-fil-A. Lee Cruz was even there! The employees welcomed everyone into the new restaurant with a tunnel of noise, which we five got stopped in the midst of. That'll wake you up! We also got to wear Chick-fil-A t-shirts and hats.

The funny thing was, when they handed out Chicken nugget boxes with ribbons tied around them, I almost didn't take one because I didn't want anymore fried chicken! I threw it in the car anyway though and am glad I did: the box contained my free Chick-fil-A for a year coupons!