Ok, so we've pretty much decided that the heartland BBQ is set to ignite Summer of '06.
We're minus two kidlets from mid-June to end of July, which gives us more room for guests (that'd give us three private rooms, two couches, and a big area for bags/floorbeds and a community bathroom). Weather here is strange, but the best temps for outdoor socials are going to be before the nearly triple-digit heat of late July/August sets in. We're game for the 4th, but that puts everyone else on the road with the rest of the country (and probably conflicts with your existing plans).
What timeframe works best; June or July? We were in the middle of a move during this year's BBQ, so I don't recall how dates were chosen.