Leaguefest – Update, Poll, and Planning
So here we are, two months out from Leaguefest, which means it’s high time to start getting into the nitty gritty of planning this thing. I’m happy to say that there was an overwhelmingly positive response to our plans to have this year’s Leaguefest on June 7-9 in Chicago, although most of you who indicated that you will be attending also stated that you plan on staying with friends or family rather than booking a hotel room. For that reason, I have not gotten a room block at the hotel we’ll be using as our base of operations, the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For those of you that nonetheless would like to stay in the same hotel, there should still be plenty of rooms available, though I encourage you to book as soon as possible.
That leads to the next issue – planning the actual events. Because so many of you will be staying at other locations, the best way to maximize the Space-Awesomeness of the weekend and ensure no one winds up aimlessly wandering the streets of Chicago in search of their fellow Leaguers is going to be to have the full weekend planned out in advance so that everyone knows where and when to meet for each event that they wish to attend.
One thing that will help immensely with that is getting a good sense of when everyone is going to be arriving and leaving. As such, I would greatly appreciate if anyone planning on being in attendance respond to the poll below at their earliest convenience. I myself am currently planning on flying in early Friday morning and flying out early Sunday afternoon, though I can change these flight plans if it looks like not many people will be around on Friday but a lot will be around through Sunday afternoon.
Who did you vote for?
- Clinton/Kaine (48%, 36 Votes)
- Johnson/Weld (21%, 16 Votes)
- Could Not Vote (12%, 9 Votes)
- Did Not Vote (9%, 7 Votes)
- Trump/Pence (5%, 4 Votes)
- McMullin/Finn (1%, 1 Votes)
- Stein/Baraka (1%, 1 Votes)
- Write-in (1%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 75
Loading ...In the comments below, please also identify any activities that you think would be a good idea for a group event. If the activity can only be done at a certain time or on a certain day, please also indicate the time, and if the activity requires any tickets or entry fees, please indicate the amount of those costs and whether tickets must be purchased in advance. Last but not least, I’d like to specifically ask for recommendations on restaurants for a reasonably nice group dinner somewhere close to our base of operations on Saturday night.
Next week, I’ll post a poll to gauge the level of interest in each proposed event, and I’ll use the results of that poll to come up with a formal schedule. Whatever the formal schedule, of course, you are always free to venture off on your own or pick and choose which events you attend.
Bueller? Bueller?
Anyone? Anyone?Report
My vote is a best guest at the moment. If it turns out that there is stuff going on at other times I might well make other plans.Report
I’ve not bought plane tickets yet, though they’re very cheap right now and I just need re-affirmation of permission to abandon the family for that weekend.
I’d like to take the activity schedule into account and will book accordingly.
Also, I will be booking a room so if anyone wants/needs to split, let me know.Report
Not sure when we’ll be arriving. My guess is Friday, but I need to talk with the husband and see how much flights will cost.Report
I think I missed that you guys are coming.
It will be great to see you and meet the Russian.Report
We’ll be there. I look forward to seeing you again a nd meeting your wife as well. I was trying to convince your sister and Rich to come as well to no avail.Report
I am still trying to figure this one out. Things are a bit ‘in flux’ with work and vacation time.
In the meantime, I can report from my stay there for St.Patrick’s Day that the Hyatt is a great hotel. There’s a pub on the second floor that would be a great casual hangout for everyone. Good dining options within a 10-minute walk plus the river. Little expensive with parking ($52/day) but that’s downtown for you.Report
With the parking comment – does anyone have any idea if it’s going to be viable to do this without a car for the weekend?Report
Totally viable. Public transit and taxis serve your needs in Chicago better than a car, IMO. And you’ll pay $30/night to park or more. The El will take you from the airport to downtown pretty quickly and cheaply, too.Report
Does that include Midway?Report
Yes, take the Orange line from Midway, and it will take you within a few blocks of the Hyatt. (I’d get off at the State and Lake stop. The Hotel is about a quarter mile from that stop.
Also, I think Midway is usually a better airport: fewer delays, at least my experience.Report
It is my expectation that we’ll be able to plan in such a way that a car will be unnecessary, with most everything reasonably close to a train station.Report
Mrs. Likko and I are looking forward to this! Cubs game, river cruise, bluesfest!Report
I should add, our flight out of town is departing Saturday afternoon.Report
Wow, just an overnighter, or ar you coming in earlier than Friday?Report
We’ll be visiting with family nearby for several days beforehand.Report
Did someone say Cubs game? During the several years I lived in Chicago I only made it to one Cubs game. Shameful.Report
Even though I’ve lived here 10 years, I don’t have a lot of good suggestions about what to do or where to go that don’t involve going to an archive to do research for one’s dissertation (and those places are usually closed on weekends).
But I’ll let you know if I think of anything. Are people looking for something like shows, or something like places where we can all eat, drink, and be merry and talk?Report
Think we’re more looking for place to eat,drink,and be merry than anything else. I’d like to plan a side trip to the Cubsgame on Friday,but it hasn’t been set for an official time yet. Presumably it will be a 1:00 or 2:20 PM game, though, so only the super early birds like Burt and I would be able to attend.Report
Just bummed I can’t make it, is all. (Consoles self with wedding plans.)Report
This reminds me that need to plan a trip to Maine this summer.Report
Indeed you do.Report
Wedding plans definitely take precedence. But I’m bummed you won’t be ther.Report
I don’t know, in on Friday and out on Sunday, probably. I’m going to have fun doing pretty much anything. Unless its sports related, which I wouldn’t understand unless someone explained it to me. I am going to vote against the dissertation research, though.Report
Awesome.Report
So sorry that we’re going to miss it. The funny thing is that we *will* be in Chicago, and I’d love to meet up with someone while we’re there. We just won’t be there at the right time.Report
Will:
When will you be in Chicago?
It sounds like there are a fair number of locals. We could do another round of meetings.Report
I’m unfortunately still a hopeful maybe that very much wants to be definite yes. But if everything works as I’d like it to, I’d be coming probably after 6 on Friday but able to be around all day Sunday (though maybe leaving mid-day Sunday). If that’s Bluesfest weekend, obviously that needs to happen. Beyond that, if it’s nice a brisk walk (or maybe bikeride with rentals?) on Lakeshore path is probably the best way to get an immediate feel for what Chicago is to its residents. Unfortunately my Chicago restaurant-fu has faded since the year I spent there, and I was never really well-versed in downtown places in any case. I would think any kind of upscale(ish) bar-restaurant in the Loop with a small private room (or a big enough corner booth or something) could serve as a sort of home base (maybe the hotel bar would be best for that, and that more options could be scouted from there. Not that we don’t want to pre-plan destination spots for eating and drinking as well. (Yikes, I’m really getting into this, and yet it’s an unfortunate reality that I still can;t fully guarantee my participation… it all depends what the temping gods bring my way.)
I will try to research such a place as well as other destinations for food and drink and general merriment, but, again, my familiarity is going to be about ten years out of date at this point, so I might just not find the best options. I do have a destination spot or two in mind, though one would require a fairly significant train ride away from the main downtown area. It might be a good idea to decide up front whether the plan is to keep things more or less centralized to downtown or to possibly venture into territory further afield. (And for first-timers, there is no reason to worry that you’ll be missing absolutely essential sights or destinations if the decision is to keep things centralized.)Report
(I voted to reflect the possible Sunday departure just to be conservative about it.)Report
Thanks for the hotel choice! My office is right next door.
Some possible events:
* Sailboat ride on Lake Michigan (scheduled around the races that are during the day).
We have a S2 9.1 boat (about 30 ft) moored at Belmont Harbor. We usually have up to 8 crew for races, but can cram another 6-8 on board for cruising. There’s a head, galley, cabin, etc.
There are several buses that leave from in front of the hotel and run up to the harbor. You still have a bit of a walk (1/2 mile), since the slip is on the north side.
If we planned on meeting at the harbor after 6:30pm either Friday or Saturday, we could still do a couple of hours and then sail in with the sunset. (no charge!)
* Architecture Tour. This is really nice way to see Chicago. The river tour can show a lot of the interesting buildings and history.
* Cubs game. At home against the Pirates. Friday, Sat and Sun (Fri might be a night game). public transit. ticket prices vary.
* Sox game. At home against the Athletics. Friday 7:10, Sat 3:10, Sun 1:10. public transit.
* Fire game (soccer). At home against DC United. Sat at 7:30. This is not accessible via public transit. It’s a long drive out to the boonies. However, if there was interest, there are other attractions that are out there that could be added to the list.
* Chicago Blues Festival. This is an incredible event, free, great music. Super for picnicking. walk to hotel.
* Second City. Shows at 8pm and 11pm. $28 +drinks. public transit easy.
Some restaurant ideas (staying in downtown):
* Bacino’s. My personal favorite for Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. 1 block from hotel
* Heaven on Seven. Somewhat dive-y, but great Cajun-style lunch place. 4 blocks from hotel
* Smith & Wollensky. Really expensive steak place. 3 blocks from hotel, on river.
What are people interested in?
There’s tons of great stuff to do in Chicago.
Or you can just enjoy the city, hanging out at the park, harbor, beach etc.
I’m looking forward to meeting people in person.Report
These are all really wonderful suggestions, Angela. It’s going to be a lot harder to make decisions in Chicago than it was in Vegas, it appears.Report
I’m still a very weak tentative which is utterly inexcusable considering how close it is to Minneapolis but my work situation around that time is looking like utter bedlam.Report
I don’t know yet if I’ll be coming…but I think I’m available then, and I’ve never been to Chicago, and I would like to go there – so there’s a possibility that I’ll come. Depends on how finances and schedule are looking. (I’m already travelling in May, and then graduating mid-June, so it’s right in the middle of those two things.)
No way I’ll be staying at the Hyatt, though. Well-located HI hostel for me.
I like cycling, so (if I do come) if anyone else wants to rent bikes for part of an afternoon and cycle along the river that would be fun.Report
I would be very up for the cycling if I am able to do so by June.Report
Okay, after checking flight prices, I will not be coming.Report
Awww….Report
I “voted” my availability, but probably shouldn’t have, both because I live here and my “arrival” and “departure” don’t mean a lot, and also because I’m not sure I can participate.Report
I’m a huge museum nerd myself and can never pass up a shot at the options there in Chicago.
I ~may~ be able to swing this. The only problem is that you’ve put it in the ~last~ weekend before final exams and final grades being due. It’s about the worst time for me to be out of town, especially as I’ll probably be driving or taking the train.
Grrr.Report