I sat at the World's Longest Picnic Table!

How often in life do you get to be a part of something special? This weekend, I was one of 400 people who sat and ate at what is now the World's Longest Picnic Table! Safeway invited me and a guest to witness the setting of a new world record -- yes, a Guinness Book of World Records kind of record -- and to enjoy a picnic lunch made from their new product line, Open Nature foods. I asked The Pea to be my date, and at first she wasn't too keen on driving up to San Francisco just to have lunch, but when she realized she'd be making history (well, sort of), wild horses couldn't have dragged her away.


Here are some fun facts about the table:

* It's 305 feet and 3 inches long, 6 feet 9 inches wide, for a total area of 2,058.9 square feet.

* The previous Guinness World Record holder was a 248 foot, 2 inch-long picnic table in New Orleans in 2009.

* More than 7,176 feet of wood and 1,032 bolts were used to make it.

* It weighs 11,304 pounds

* It seats 405 people and then some.

* It's made from 100% Douglas Fir wood.

* For every tree used to make this table, 10 more were planted.

* After this event, it's going to be cut down into 8 foot tables and donated to parks across the country.


The even kicked off with an official measuring by a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records. She went from one end of the table to the other with a huge measuring tape (The Pea and I were seated at the 120 and 122 foot mark); the tape ran out at 300 feet, so she used a ruler to measure the last 5 feet, 3 inches. Then it was official -- Safeway had broken the world record! There were cheers all around, an official plaque presentation, then it was time for Celebrity chef Tyler Florence to take center stage and give everyone a cooking demonstration. He showed us how to make the barbecued chicken and ribs and the potato salad that we would be having for lunch.


Safeway organized the event to celebrate the launch of their newest product line, Open Nature, which is 100% natural, meaning no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and minimal processing. All of the food at the event was made from Open Nature foods, and it was to die for. We really didn't miss any of those artificial flavors or colors. We devoured the whole meal from start to finish (sausage appetizers, barbecued chicken and ribs, potato salad, broccoli salad, ice cream parfaits)!

Just two days later, I've already made the potato salad, and judging from the way The Pea enjoyed Tyler's homemade barbecue sauce, we'll probably be trying out the chicken and rib barbecue very soon.

The day could not have been more perfect for a picnic -- the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the San Francisco bay was dotted with sailboats and windsurfers taking their crafts out for a spin. The Golden Gate Bridge provided the perfect backdrop for the picnic. What unique, fun (not to mention delicious) way to spend a summer day with The Pea!

Disclosure: My daughter and I were treated to a nice picnic lunch courtesy of Safeway. I was not obligated to write about the event or about Safeway's Open Nature line. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.