SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For one evening each June, Ski Run Boulevard becomes something entirely different.
The traffic disappears. Tables replace parking spaces. Costumes emerge. Music fills the air. Neighbors reconnect, strangers become friends, and one stretch of roadway transforms into a celebration of community unlike anything else in South Lake Tahoe.
On June 16, more than 130 themed tables stretched from Aspen Avenue to Tamarack Avenue, covering almost three whole blocks of Ski Run Boulevard, as hundreds of community members gathered for the 2026 Longest Dinner Table.
Held annually near the summer solstice, the Longest Dinner Table began in 2019 when friends and neighbors Chris McNamara, Tor McNamara, and Darcie Goodman Collins came together with a simple idea: create a reason for people to gather and build community.
“When we started in 2019, we dreamed of creating the world’s longest dinner table that stretched all the way from the mountains to the lake,” said Chris and Tor McNamara. “But we quickly realized it’s less about the number of tables—and more about creating a space for people to come together and celebrate our community in creative ways. Watching it grow into a massive neighborhood block party meets Halloween has been more fun and meaningful than we ever imagined.”
Creativity was on full display this year as participants transformed their tables into immersive experiences complete with costumes, props, games, and elaborate decorations. Among the most talked-about themes were The Mob Wives, Let Them Eat Cake, The Live Volcano, The Price Is Right, and Dodgeball. Honorable mentions included the crowd-favorite Donner Party table, Where’s Waldo, Read Banned Books, and two live World Cup-themed experiences.
Throughout its history, the Longest Dinner Table has supported a variety of local causes and nonprofit organizations. As the event continued to grow, the founders partnered with the Marcella Foundation to help coordinate and execute it while preserving the community spirit that has defined it since its beginning.
This year’s event raised over $17,000 to support the Marcella Foundation’s work advancing food access, student literacy, and youth mentorship throughout South Lake Tahoe.
“The tables may be what draw people in, but it’s the connections made around them that keep people coming back,” said Darcie Goodman Collins, co-founder of the Longest Dinner Table. “Every year, we’re amazed by the creativity people bring, from elaborate themes and costumes to the small details that make each table unique. At its heart, the Longest Dinner Table is about bringing people together and strengthening our community.”
The evening was made possible through the support of sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, including lead sponsors Desolation Hotel, Outdoor Gear Lab, and Amanda Kluesner Photography.
Special thanks also go to the South Tahoe High School Football Team for handling setup and teardown, Hands4Hope for providing student volunteers, Edgewood Tahoe Resort volunteers, Dreda Dre & his Patreon team for coordinating event operations, and JeNes & The Juice for providing live music throughout the evening.
As planning begins for next year, organizers are already looking ahead to the next gathering around the table.
Community members are encouraged to save the date for the 7th annual Longest Dinner Table on June 22, 2027, and join the event mailing list for updates on table registration, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and event announcements.
To receive updates and be among the first to reserve a table, visit: