Leaguefest 2013 Update!
First, my apologies to all planning or interested in attending Leaguefest 2013 next month in Chicago; I had planned on having a schedule close to finalized for the event sometime in late April, or at least last week. Unfortunately, real life has been interfering heavily with my time the last few weeks.
The good news is that we’re just 3 and a half weeks away! While I promise to have a final update and schedule out for everyone before we all head to Chicago so we can all know where and when to meet for each event/get-together, things are very much taking shape. From your responses to my survey question in the previous post, it’s clear that almost everyone will be in town by the afternoon of Friday, June 7. As such, and given that at least one person will have to leave fairly early on Saturday, the plan for now is to have the two most planning-intensive events on Friday, with Saturday’s schedule to be comprised of a mix of museums/Jazz Festival/bar-hopping capped off with a big group dinner.
As I said, the two most planning intensive events are going to be on Friday, June 7: (1) the Cubs game at 1:30 PM at Wrigley Field; and (2) a sunset sailboat cruise on Lake Michigan leaving out of the harbor about a mile east of Wrigley at 5 or 6 PM. With regards to the cruise, I’d like to publicly thank commenter Angela, who has offered and agreed to take us all (well, at least as many of us as can safely fit) out on her boat.
Because these two events require advance planning, please indicate below which of these events, if any, of these two events you’ll be joining us for. I can safely say that my wife and I will be in attendance for both. Regarding the Cubs game, please only respond if you are prepared to commit to paying for your tickets, as I will have to front the money to get a block that will allow us to sit together.
Thank you for your cooperation, and I look forward to seeing you all in person in a couple of weeks.
Mrs. Likko and I will be there for the game and the cruise. We are really looking forward to it!Report
I’m “yes” for the sailboat ride (of course), but “no” for the Cubs game.Report
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to either Friday event. Perhaps I can do something on the Saturday.Report
Hopefully dinner?Report
So bummed I can’t be there, is all I got to say.Report
So am I. I would have loved to have some witty reparte on a boat cruise!Report
Johanna and I are both sincerely bummed that we won’t get to meet either of you.Report
The feeling is mutual.Report
I don’t get in until like 4:30, so no for the game and yes for sailing if it’s at 6:00.Report
Baseball games being baseball games and rush hour traffic being rush hour traffic, will it really be possible to do both Fridy events?Report
I will be finalizing my travel plans today, but expect I may be there either Thurs eve or first thing Fri.Report
Lastly, both events for me; sailing over cubs if I have to choose.Report
You can always leave the ball game early if need be. And by all means–use public transportation downtown. Parking is outrageously expensive these days. And driving around downtown on a Friday is generally painful.Report
Since we can wait for the ball players to show up before we take off, of course!
The game starts at 1:20pm. Assume 3 hours. The ball park is about a mile west of the harbor. Even a leisurely walk should get you there around 5 or so.
(There’s a pedestrian underpass near Addison going under Lake Shore Drive.
The boat’s on the north side of the harbor.)Report
Perfect. I might was well ask this now, but would I be correct in assuming that even in June we should assume it may be cold out there on the water after the sun goes down?Report
Tod,
It’s nothing like going out on the ocean, but it could still be chilly on the water. Or it could be very balmy. Unpredictable’s the watchword, so it’s wise to layer–have a light shirt, but take a jacket or sweater in case.Report
Alos, I want to say thanks again for doing this, Angela.Report
Thank you, Angela! 🙂Report
Even tho I most likely can’t make it I’d like to echo the sentiment. Boat owners are special people and it’s extremely kind of you to offer up yours.Report
You can make it, you can’t, maybe you can, you most likely can’t… You’re like the GOP Candidate Donald Trump of Leaguefesters.
Tease.Report
…dear lord you weren’t actually planning to drive in Chicago proper, were you?
I mean if this were Morton Grove or Schaumberg, sure, but in the metro area you’re much better off with taking the various transit options.Report
Hanleys are up for both, committed to covering the cost of the game tickets if you select readonably priced seats. Can you let us know what seats you’re thinking about?
Angela, can we contribute to costs for the boat trip? And how many passengers can you take? (Oh, and I vote we delay departure until Miss Mary can get there–it’d be a shame for her to miss out because we were in a hurry to get going).Report
James: Since it’s looking to be more than just Burt, me, and our respective spouses at the game, I’m going to make a point of ensuring that the tickets are as affordable as realistically possible.Report
Excellent. The beer tastes the same all over the park!
(FTR, I’m not demanding the absolute cheapest tix; I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t an expectation that we’d have to show up in tuxedos.)Report
Would anyone be interested in seeing the Saturday matinee (2:00) of The Book of Mormon? Tix would be either $66 (far back of the balcony) or about $117 (mezzanine).Report
Ooooh. That’s tempting.Report
I saw it last summer, and I highly recommend it.Report
yes yes yes 🙂Report
What ticket price?Report
$117 if I’m going I want to see itReport
OK, I think it’s a plan. We’re probably also going to be taking an old friend we haven’t seen in 20 years who just surfaced in Chicago, so I think there’ll be at least 4 of us.Report
You’re killing me Hanley. I am literally dying over here in Minneapolis as we speak. You are a cruel man and your wife is a saint for putting up with you.Report
True, true. But in my own defense, this was my wife’s idea.Report
Reservations made! Yay!Report
*Sigh* You guys are horrible.
I’m feeling homesick for Chicago now.
I hate you all. I hope it rains every day during the Leaguefest and that Obama comes to town to talk to Rahm freezing up traffic all over and maybe the Cubs go to extra innings.Report
I miss your sweet face already. You’re always just so full of sunshine ;).Report
When they say “windy city” they don’t mean the weather, sweetheart. :pReport
I should mention that we won’t be there. Next year, I hope.Report
So, looking through the responses, we’d have 11 on the boat ride:
Angel, Chris, Margaret Johnston
Burt Likko + Mrs Likko
Miss Mary
Tod Kelly
James + Johanna Hanley
Mark Thompson + spouse
Now, if we just get good weather….
Corrections? Additions?
I’m looking forward to meeting people live.
Thanks!
AngelaReport
Sounds right to me, Angela, but I should mention that I haven’t really been tracking these sorts of things.
I don’t suppose anyone wants to get their nails done or go shopping while we’re in town?Report
You’re not thinking of going to the Magnificent Mile, are you?Report
Sounds right – although I notice Michelle and Michael Drew, who I believe said they were likely coming, haven’t responded in this thread.Report
Also, there was talk earlier in these discussions that JB and Maribou might/would be there?Report
This is an issue of awful timing. Maribou will be in Chicago, like, the week after this for some work-related thing that I can’t remember. As such, she’s not going to be there for this.
My particular version of anxiety is the kind that won’t allow me to go unless I have my lodestone there.
I love you all more than you could possibly know. I wish I could go. But I can’t.Report
Angela,
How many people can you take? Johanna and I are staying with an old friend we’ve recently reconnected with. I don’t know if she’s interested in a sailboat ride on the lake, but if there’s room, I’d like to invite her. If there’s no room, I won’t risk raising her hopes.
And add my thanks to all the others–I’ve not sailed much, but I love being out in a boat, any kind of boat.
Report
When we’re racing, 8 is a full crew. For cruising, we could do more, so I think 12 would be OK. More starts to get iffy, especially if there’s a lot of wind/weather. We could try to be flexible, too. Some options: I had suggested a touch-and-go downtown, to drop people off at the Blues Festival / hotel. We could make the logistics a little more “interesting” and pick up folks for the ride back. We could also do a second trip on Saturday during the morning / day if there was interest.
Frankly, I really enjoy sailing, and I like showing off Chicago, which is a pretty great city in many ways. Multiple trips!! For everyone!Report
We’re not racing? Does that mean we won’t win? I don’t like not winning.Report
Any day with sailing is a win….
Actually: if anyone is coming in as early as Wednesday, we could set something up. There are always fun races on Wednesday night. The NOOD races are a little more serious. Not to mention conflicting with either the Cubs or the Mormons.Report
What hotel are we supposed to stay at?Report
Miss Mary – I’m booked for the Hyatt Regency downtown, which I’m planning on using as our unofficial base of operations. However, I know that several folks are staying in either other hotels or with friends, so don’t feel obligated to go with that hotel if there’s someplace else reasonably close that you’d prefer.Report
That one is sold out anywayReport
Apparently there is an office furniture convention happening that weekend. I vote we skip that activity. I can’t imagine there are enough people going to that particular event to have filled all the rooms in Chicago. I found something, but it took some looking.Report
Sorry I’m late to the thread, but I’ll definitely be going to the Cubs game and will commit to paying up front. Just me–the Russian has never been to a baseball game and wants to keep his record intact.
We’ll also join folks for dinner on Saturday.Report
And one or both of us (and possibly our friends) might join daytime events on Saturday.Report
Alright – game tickets have been purchased! They’re going to run to $50 apiece after service fees.Report
Do you want cash at the game (or 5 beers) or would you like me to send you a check?
And where do you stand on seeing Book of Mormon? I need to purchase tix for that.Report
At the game is fine. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to pass on Book of Mormon.Report
Unfortunately, we’re going to have to pass on Book of Mormon
Which you’ve probably been doing all your life, anyway. 😉Report