Fortress Party Retrostpective: 1997

Year 3 was the first time we used clotheslines and clothespins to hang the sheets. This was only possible because of a unique architectural feature of the family room in my parents' house.

If you look just to the left of the light fixture, you will see a bit of clothesline leading up towards the corner of the room. It is tied around an angled support beam. There are one these in each of the cardinal corners of the room. We tied the clotheslines to these very loosely, and the fort dipped considerably in the middle, where it was still bolstered from below by furniture. 

Still, the idea of supporting the sheets from above was a major game-changer. In the evolution of Fortress Party, this was the year it sprouted legs and walked out of the ocean. 

The family room, which housed all Fortress Parties between 1995 and 2001, is a single large space over the garage. In 1997, we subdivided it into two fortress rooms.

For some reason, there were five cans of chicken broth lined up below the table. Perhaps that was an early attempt at a theme?

There is paper Hanukkah menorah on the table. In 1997, Hanukkah was late, from December 23-31. so FP'97 was probably some time that week.

It looks like this picture was taken from inside the tent. Can anyone figure out what board game they are playing?

Jeff and Mindy discover that covering yourself with fortress clothespins makes you irresistible.