Official Program · Est. 2026

The Brown Out

An annual surprise trip. The planning committee picks the destination and plans the weekend. Everyone else just shows up at the airport and gets on a plane.

Inaugural runningOct 16–18, 2026
VenueLexington, KY
FeaturedKeeneland Fall Meet
01
Conditions of the race

How the Brown Out Works

With the weddings and bachelor parties behind them, the group needed a new event to "ensure we get together as a group annually." It was originally proposed in August 2025, and the format is inspired by Tom's brother-in-law's high-school crew. The goal is for it to become "the most anticipated trip you take each year."

1

Commit to showing up

Trips are scheduled 9+ months ahead. One-strike policy: if you don't show up or back out in any year, you're permanently removed. Exceptions for real reasons like a baby or a death in the family.
2

Pay your share

A pot is collected in advance so expenses are capped, and the planning committee funds the trip from it. Anything over or under gets settled after the weekend.

🗓 Dates

The committee proposes weekends more than a year out, the group confirms, and a calendar invite holds the date. If life intervenes, the date can move.

🎩 The Committee

A two-person planning committee picks the destination, plans every activity and books everyone's flights.

✈️ The Surprise

A packing list arrives a few days before, then your flight and airline. No destination. "Just show up to the airport and get on a plane. The rest will be decided for you."

⏱ The Distance

2.5 days, 2 nights. Fly out first thing Friday morning, leave Sunday.

👥 The Field

Intentionally small: "7 guys + 1 they/them (Coop)." If it's a success, another one or two may be invited in future years.

📈 Year-One KPI

Per Christopher Collins: did it happen? It did.
02
The purse · Rule #2

Budget

$2,500per person · paid up front

Rule #2: pay your share. Everyone pays into the pot up front. That keeps costs capped, and nobody has to think about money once the weekend starts.

What the pot covers

The planning committee runs the whole trip out of the pot. Everyone gets a packing list and a flight, and the destination stays a surprise. Each year's organizers will be in charge of saying when the payments are due.
  • ✈️ Flights
  • 🛏 Lodging
  • 🍽 Group dinners & activities
03
Inaugural running · Oct 16–18, 2026

2026: Lexington Recap & Gallery

It was quite a weekend filled with welcoming Jeremy, great bourbon, the most happening hotel lobby in Lexington, delicious steak dinners, some great prayers, some beautiful horses, and fantastic superlatives.

🏇 Keeneland

Fall meet: paddock, track rail, horse-print bow ties, Miller Lites.

🥃 Woodford Reserve

A visit to the Woodford Reserve distillery.

📝 The Exam Questions

Two dinners with prompts, from a spiteful witch and the iPhone 18 to role models and goals for the next 12 months.

🏆 The Awards

Husband of the Year: Zack Malet. Man of the Year: Tom Elnick. And many superlatives were awarded.
04
Official entries

The Field

1Tom ElnickGoofball #1
2J. Anthony SchurzDJ Peacock
3Mike ElnickDelta status
4Matt DuffyEarly voter
5Kevin "Coop" CooperThe they/them
6Christopher CollinsCoined "The Brown Out"
7Christian "Trauty" Trautweina.k.a. C. Traut Jeffrey
8Zack Malet"Wheels up!"
05
Post time · 2027

2027 Date Survey

Fall 2027 Fri–Sun weekends. Per the rules, we lock dates 9+ months out. We will aim to lock the date by December 1, 2026. Check every weekend you can make.

06
New entries

Nominate Up to Two New Members of the Circus

Per the founding email, the field stays small, but "we may in future years invite another one or two if it's actually a success." We're not committing to adding two new members, but we'll bring it to the full committee once we have our top nominations. Anyone invited would have to accept the same two rules.

07
Tip sheet

Suggestion Box

Ideas for the committee: activities, destinations, food, prompts, awards. Tom asked for these in the founding email.

08
Stewards' inquiry

FAQ

Where are we going in 2027?Fuck off, we're planning it.
When do I find out about my flight?Fuck off, we're planning it.
What if I can't make it?Fuck off, you're out.
How does money work?Give it to Duffy and Coop, who will invest it in crypto.
Do I really need the knee pads?Leave it.
My luggage?Take it all the way past security and onto the actual plane.
Is Jeremy going to be there?Great question.