It wasn't organized very well in the first place.
To have an event attended by more than a couple of locals, you need to give much more than a 17-day notice. Hell, most people I know from Minnesota don't log on within 17 days. I would have posted about this weeks, if not MONTHS in advance.
Maybe some people from other parts of the state would have been interested, but you have to make travel plans, some people need to save money, and so on. Two weeks isn't near enough notice. That was the biggest "fail" of it. Next time one is planned, I would start at least 3-6 months ahead of time. Any event worth attending is announced much further in advance.
Pick a more "casual" place next time than L&L as well. Although that may be your personal favorite, it's definitely not a first-time place for some casual lers/lees, at least a few that I talked to regarding it. Williams would have been much better.
Oh well... Minnesota does have a large tickling community, and we've had other events in the past. People just have their own little groups that they've gotten to know over the years. Maybe sometime we'll get them all together.