Timeline
Below is Allison & Mike's story of how this event came to be and how it's changed over time. Toy Fest has also been featured in local newspapers a few times:
-
2007
The Beginning
Toy Fest began way back in 2007. We had recently started up the neighborhood watch when I passed on an email from Nichole from the New Hope Police Department to our neighborhood regarding their toy drive. Laura, one of our neighbors, had suggested we donate as a group. So we invited the neighborhood over for wine and appetizers on a Thursday night and had 8-10 houses show up and we collected a pile of toys.
The next year I told Allison I wanted to see what would happen if we invited everybody that we knew because we had filled the trunk of my car with toys from the few people that we had in 2007. We also changed it to Saturday, all day long (7am to midnight) for two reasons. One was that I wanted everyone to make it even if they had something going on that day and the other was to spread out what we hoped to attract.
-
2008
Let's Feed Everyone
So in 2008 we made breakfast to order until around noon for everybody (most people picked omelets) and we did spaghetti for the evening. We had 72 people show up and collected 189 toys (when we say toys, we actually mean items since people bring non-toys for the teens). People started showing up around 9 and the last group left shortly after 1am.
-
2009
Standardizing
In 2009 we made the change to starting at 8am which became the new standard. Same deal with the food, breakfast and spaghetti in the evening. Attendance jumped to 115 people and to 350 toys.
-
2010
Blizzard Year
We expected another leap in attendance in 2010 but we were foiled by the weather. Big snow storm hit the day before and several people we expected could not make it. Santa Claus did brave the storm that year and was in attendance. The unofficial numbers for that year were 107 people and 289 toys.
-
2011
The Beer
2011 brought 107 people in with 329 toys and $260 in cash. It was also the year that a couple buddies came through huge for us and took care of the beer. Our friend Brian of Fulton Brewery fame donated a 1/2 barrel keg of Sweet Child of Vine IPA and our buddy Josh and donated a keg of his home brewed smoked vanilla porter. They saved us a ton of money and everybody loved the beer. That year was my record for most omelets made with 30. I also made 30+ pounds of spaghetti sauce to serve and most of it was consumed along with 6+ pounds of noodles. Our first guest arrived at 8am on the dot and the last guests left shortly before 1am.
-
2012
The Big One
2012 was the big one. We had 145 people and collected 482 toys, $450 in cash and $150 in gift cards. Once again Brian delivered a keg, this time it was the Ringer Pale Ale and Josh made a keg of rye beer for us. The timing was bad this year, I lost my job two days before Toy Fest but our friend Dave volunteered to cover the food cost for us. So again, we are blessed with awesome friends. Over 30 pounds of spaghetti sauce again with over 6+ pounds of noodles and 6 dozen eggs for the second year in a row.
2012 was the year that I also gave up a little control (which is tough for a control freak like me) and we created "Team Toy Fest" to help us with some of the work during the day so we had more time to mingle with the guests which was tough to do in previous years. Our buddy Phil took over for me for a good part of the morning as the breakfast cook and in the evening our friends Andy, Sheree and Will helped Allison with cooking noodles and garlic bread and serving the spaghetti and we had several people help by bartending for me. My nephew Steven was the biggest help showing up on Friday night and helping with the prep, being there all day Saturday helping with everything and even staying Sunday to help us organize and count the toys. Again, the first guest showed up at 8am and the last left right around 1:30am.
-
2013
The Team Effort Grows
In 2013, “Team Toy Fest” was again in play so that we were able to mingle with guests and coordinate other tasks. Our niece Molly sponsored the food for Toy Fest 2013, which included another omelet making session Saturday morning, appetizers in the afternoon, and a spaghetti supper Saturday night. Josh and Fulton once again provided beer, and Surly donated a keg of Coffee Bender which paired perfectly with the waffle station in the bar. Caribou Coffee donated coffee to keep people caffeinated throughout the day as well. We had 150 guests and collected 537 toys/gifts, $630 in cash and $530 in gift cards.
-
2014
The Party Expands
In 2014 we decided to try a 3-day event. We kicked off Friday evening with Nate from NateDogs generously donating his services and his delicious hot dogs for Friday dinner. Molly again sponsored the food for Saturday, with the tried and true made-to-order omelets Saturday morning, appetizers Saturday afternoon, and our usual and delicious spaghetti supper Saturday night. Sunday brought with it a more relaxed feeling, with a brunch buffet and some football watching (Go Vikings!)
Josh and J donated their home-brewed beer and ciders which were enjoyed by all. We also had beer donations from 612 Brew. 2014 marked the beginning of this website too, thanks to J! Allison’s mom and dad were here to experience their first Toy Fest, and were a great help with all the tasks to be done before and during the event. Caribou Coffee once again donated coffee to keep us fueled throughout the weekend. Gina Purcell had some beyond kind words about us in her article in the Sun Post that you can find by clicking here.
We had 181 guests (still the standing record), collected 626 toys/gifts and $835 in cash and gift cards. Our people never cease to amaze us with their generosity and kindness and willingness to help us pull off such a successful event.
-
2015
Scaling Back to "Only" 2 Days
We realized that a three day event is not yet necessary but two days is the sweet spot for now. So 2015 saw the new format of a two day Toy Fest event, starting Friday at noon and ending Saturday night when the last person went home. Great food, drinks, and company was shared by everyone who attended.
Friday’s taco bar was a big hit with Mikey’s homemade chorizo, pulled pork, and salsas. Molly’s generosity extended another year with a donation for food for Saturday’s event, which included the traditional omelets, appetizers, and spaghetti which have become expected parts of Toy Fest We had so many people who helped us prep, cook food, clean, and so much more. Team Toy Fest rocks!
This year we had beer donated from Badger HIll Brewing as well as the always anticipated homebrew from Josh and J. We had many people take the role of photographer with some great pictures (many seen on this website) so that the event and the people attending it were well document. Caribou came through for the third year in a row with all the coffee we could drink.
Steven continued to amaze us with his helpfulness before, during and after the event to keep us a bit same! His lovely wife Ann and he saved us on Sunday when we ran out of gas while attempting to count/sort/photograph the toys and pushed us over the finish line.
Final numbers: 173 people + 547 toys/gifts + $1385 in cash/gift cards = another huge success.
-
2016
2016 The Toys Keep Piling Up
2016 was another great year with lots of people, food, drinks, and fun (and of course, toys) We stuck with the Friday-Saturday schedule, and over 36 hours we served a taco bar, omelets, waffles, appetizers, and a spaghetti dinner.
Huge props to Cheryl, Bruce, and Steven who helped us get things organized and ready before the party, and to Erica Barnes who helped clean our house, including our bathrooms (now that’s a true friend and volunteer!)
Josh and Paul donated top notch home-brewed beer, and more beer donations were received from 612, Steel Toe, Insight, and Badger Hill. Between our home brewing and pro brewing friends, people did not lack beer options this weekend.
Team Toyfest members continue to be an integral part of this event, and a huge thanks goes out for helping do dishes, prep and cook food, help clean the kitchen between meals, run garbage outside, take pictures, and everything else that helps us keep this event running smoothly.
Ann and Steven saved us again by organizing, counting, and packing all the toys on Sunday for us. We are so grateful for their continued energy for this. Ann claims that she loves doing this kind of thing and while she might be exaggerating a bit, we’re not going to argue with her. Hopefully we can get more help with this in the future.
2016 totals were 160 people, 617 toys/items and $1170 in cash and gift cards. The Toy Fest train rolls on.
-
2017
Year 11 in the books!
We rounded out year 11 of Isenberg Toy Fest with another amazing year filled with friends, family, food, drinks, and fun! This was our biggest year to date, collecting 746 toys, $680 in cash and gift cards from 173 people over our 2 day extravaganza!
Josh once again brewed some delicious beer which included the crowd favorite, strawberry rhubarb, Paul Illa brewed a keg to share, and Insight Brewing graciously donated several cases to keep guests well hydrated.
Ann, Kyle and Brittnie sorted, organized, counted, photographed, and counted ALL of the 746 toys on Sunday for us, in 1 ½ hours no less! Their energy for this is truly a blessing and something we are so thankful for after such a busy weekend! We’re always looking for help with this task (and will feed you brunch if you volunteer!)
-
2018
Another amazing year for Isenberg Toy Fest!
Year 13 brought another busy and festive weekend with friends, family, food, drinks, and fun! We collected 822 toys, and $397 in cash and gift cards, making this the biggest year for toy collection to date!
Josh’s homebrew was popular again this year with a Barrel Aged Saison and Belgian style Quad, and Insight Brewing again donated several cases to make sure no guest left thirsty. A huge thank you to everyone who helped clean a dish, prepare food, helped serve a meal, or other countless tasks that happen throughout the weekend. It truly takes a community of people to help us out every year!
This event is so successful because of people like you. Your generosity and energy for this event helps keep it going. We are so humbled to be a part of this amazing community of support!