​Since the creation of The Jason Christopher Wilhelm Scholarship Fund in late 2008, The Memorial Picnic has become a place to promote the mission of The Fund, and several fundraisers, such as basket raffles and other giveaways, have been added to the day's events.
There has never been a charge to attend the Picnic, and all activities are optional. Live music is performed throughout the day, and informal sports games are organized on the field adjacent to the pavilion. A portion of the entertainment program will be specifically dedicated to Jason, and Fund recipients in attendance will be recognized.
​The picnic begins at 12:00 PM, and ends before 8:00 PM, usually around dusk.
​A Vehicle Use Fee of $7.00 per vehicle is required by New York State to enter Delta Lake State Park.
Delta Lake State Park
​8797 State Route 46, Rome, NY


​​GRAND
PRIZE
RAFFLE

A $10 ticket will give you a chance to win one of three fantastic prizes!​ 
SEVEN NIGHT STAY in a
Wyndham Resort
Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite
in NASHVILLE!
donated by Roger Closinski
MyRibbonGift
​PREMIER CARD
Pick one of
40+ unique items
for delivery to your door!
donated by Aunt Jan & Uncle Bill Campbell
$250 VISA
GIFT CARD
donated by The Box Family
Tickets available for purchase at the JayCW Memorial Picnic and from local organization representatives.
​Internet sale of raffle tickets is prohibited.  Drawings to be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 5:00 PM at Delta Lake State Park, Rome, NY. Winner need not be present to win.
This an all-ages event open to the public. While ensuring safety for and respect to all guests, responsible behavior also upholds the reputation of this organization and the events that allow it to continue serving those in need.

2015
​JayCW Memorial Picnic​

Saturday
​May 27, 2017

JayCW Memorial Picnic
​at Delta Lake State Park

From Inspiration To Tradition

​The first picnic was conceived and planned by Jay Wilhelm in 2008 as he approached the five-year anniversary of his initial cancer diagnosis on May 28, 2003. A rapidly accelerating decline in health brought the realization that the picnic represented the last chance for him to be seen by family and friends in a dignified and cheerful setting. The planning and anticipation gave Jason one good thing to look forward to while enduring the ever-increasing physical toll that could not be slowed or relieved.
​Sadly, Jay would not attend his party. He passed away just four days before, on May 27, 2008. As the mourning arrived to grieve and attend services, a common desire was expressed to fulfill Jay's wish for a celebration of his five-year milestone. The First Annual Memorial Picnic was held as he had planned on May 31, 2008, at Delta Lake State Park... a wall of photos and flowers, a mix of family and class reunion, a day of food and music, old stories with new friends, a crowd of faces filled with tears and laughter for JayCW. The overwhelming positive energy and opportunity for healing ensured the Picnic would be an annual event.

The Setting

​Delta Lake State Park, located ten minutes north of Rome, has provided an ideal setting for each year's Memorial Picnic. A secluded grove of trees surround and shade the pavilion, which hosts the entertainment, presentations, and merchandise sales. Bordering the pavilion area is a large mowed field large enough for several games of frisbee and softball. Walking trails allow a quiet break from the festivities, and a nearby public beach is available for a quick dip.

Fitting In A Day's Fun

Truckloads of fun arrive on the morning of the Picnic. After we find a way to squeeze all the games, activities, raffle prizes, merchandise, food and drink supplies, and music equipment into vehicles headed for Delta Lake State Park...  we unload and figure out how to make it all fit in and around the pavilion. Here's a brief overview of what's in store:
  • The Dunk Tank returns with more organized games and contests, and the water's not getting any warmer.
  • The Cornhole Tournament is now an annual quest for bragging rights.  
  • Our Basket Raffle continues to be the competition of craft and creativity, with an entire wall of one-of-a-kind baskets with uncommon value.
  • ​A 50/50 Raffle and our Grand Prize Raffle drawings will be held.
  • ​JayCW Merchandise is available for purchase.
  • The highlight for our younger picnickers has to be the large inflatable provided by Varano Super Jump.
    This year, they'll be challenged to  jump, duck, dodge, climb and slide to finish the Zip Thru Obstacle Course.
We'll have the single course shown in the first half of this video, not the double side-by-side.
[It won't fit!]

Recommended You Bring:

  • ​Chairs
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect Repellent
  • Preferred Beverages for you
  • Cooler and Ice for you
  • Meats To Grill for you
  • A Dish To Pass

What's Provided​:

  • A separate pavilion with grills and tables for food preparation
  • Grilling Supplies
  • Paper Products
  • Salads
  • Bottled Water and Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages 

All-Day Entertainment

​Professional musicians and groups, from all genres and styles, perform throughout the day in tribute to Jason and his love of music with a free-flowing program of unexpected collaborations and reunions. A separate section of the program is reserved for more solemn songs dedicated to Jason, concluding with a combined performance of The Beatles' "Let It Be". Also, up and coming players are encouraged to show their skills in a tradition which Jay encouraged and benefited from as a young drummer. Due to the volatile schedules of working musicians, an exact schedule of performers and times is not possible.


Who's Playing This Year?

Here's who we have planning to perform so far,
​NOT listed in order of appearance:

Joey Fleming of In Her Own Words
​Paul Fleming
​Erin Hall
Tammy and Andy Box
​Ron Scales
Rick Kimball and Lisa Murphy
Bartoonz
'Big D' Dave Schneider
419 [Naz and Tim Haley]

​Check back often to see who else is planning to play!

More Than A Picnic

​This event represents much more than a day of fun, food and music.
  • To Jason's family and friends, it is an opportunity to confront together the ongoing pain of living without him. Most will spend this day feeling more directly connected to his spirit and memory than any other.
  • To the founders of the Scholarship Fund, it is a means to expand the reach of its mission and raise awareness of its cause.
  • ​To the Fund's recipients, it is a chance to understand what inspires people to contribute in the name of Jason Wilhelm.
  • ​To others, it may be a first encounter with the spirit of community giving that helped shape Jay's character.
​We hope you will join those who have gained something individually meaningful from the day's experience, lasting far beyond one day of fun, food, and music.