# First Annual Great Lakes Doperfest! (I think) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383 "2003-01-28T01:29:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Vanyel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Vanyel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanyel)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/21 "2003-02-01T00:20:31Z")
Hmm, where to have the 'fest… Well if it’s reachable by **BioHazard** , then it’s reachable by me (and **Merla** , my sister). I’d suggest the catering center where I work, but the problem is that that would cost money. If we’re talking outdoor parks, how about one of the [Cleveland Metroparks](http://www.clemetparks.com/)? They’re generally pretty nice places, and not too crowded. (By the way, I’m in Willoughby) ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/22 "2003-02-01T19:55:54Z")
I like the Metro Parks Idea. Strawberry Point is Very nice and just down the street from me. The only problem I see is that no alchohol is allowed in the parks. Its a problem for me but most likely not for most of you. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/23 "2003-02-02T01:04:34Z")
> [@](#): > > The only problem I see is that no alchohol is allowed in the parks. Its a problem for me but most likely not for most of you. \ You really, really need to read some Fest follow-up threads. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/24 "2003-02-02T01:10:26Z")
What do you mean, Persephone. Link Please! ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/25 "2003-02-02T03:16:40Z")
I’d like to lodge a protest against the TDB. [sub]typical downstate bias[/sub] Or, in other words, why doesn’t everybody drive way farther north in Michigan and make things more convenient for me? ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/26 "2003-02-02T05:05:28Z")
Well, Milo dear, if you’d _offer_ to host a fest, we’d go. I for one certainly have missed you. 😃 And **BioHazard**? I’m not going to link here. Just do a search for the word “fest.” Then grab a sandwich, because you’ll be here a while. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/27 "2003-02-03T21:25:44Z")
Did the search. Looks like ALOT of fun. So how does sometime toward the end of April sound? ---
**Author:** ![Middlea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@Middlea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Middlea)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/28 "2003-02-03T21:35:48Z")
Being an Ann Arborite, I vote Ann Arbor. Meet at Leopold Brothers for beer and plan? Who’s game? One suggestion for stay - Maumee Bay near Toledo. Hotel with condo rentals. It is a state park. It is not too far from Cedar Point and it has various recreational activities good for groups. Golf, Rollerblade trail, cycling, beach, indoor pool, tennis, etc. Before we go I just have to erase the horror of team building and corporate retreat memories from my mind. Shudder! ---
**Author:** ![foxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@foxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxfyre)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/29 "2003-02-05T15:32:36Z")
HEY! What about Nelson Ledges Quarry Park? I’ve been there a couple times-- IT ROCKS!!! The best part is just about ANYTHING GOES! I don’t livein OHio right now, but I do have relatives there I can _visit_ for a weekedn. How about the weekedn of May 3-5, theres nothing goin on there so it will be only $15 for the weekend, I think. [www.nlqp.com](http://www.nlqp.com) What dya say? -FOX ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/30 "2003-02-05T20:10:29Z")
Ann Arbor is good for me assuming I can get a ride. ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/31 "2003-03-18T23:23:21Z")
Several dopers have asked me about a LAN tourney at my store, and to post any info here. Theres one in the works for sometime in April, I will post back when I have time. Also if anyone wants to be on the LAN tourney Email list, post here please. ---
**Author:** ![Vanyel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Vanyel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanyel)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/32 "2003-03-18T23:59:52Z")
IT LIVES! (the thread, that is) I’d be interested, so put me on the list. Every time I go to the mall, though, I forget to come by and check out your place! Email is b d d r u h o t @ h o t m a i l . c o m ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/33 "2003-03-19T15:18:31Z")
Its warm now! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/34 "2003-03-19T18:30:06Z")
If you guys do it in May (not the weekend of the 16th though) and in Michigan or Northern Ohio, I can be there. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/35 "2003-03-19T18:41:05Z")
Me too, for what it’s worth. Anywhere near Cleveland/Akron gets my vote. Love the MetroParks idea. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/36 "2003-03-19T19:28:02Z")
Ann Arbor sounds good to me. Lots of bars, good restaurants, nice parks. We could all have lunch at Le Dog. Do it on an evening when Top of the Park is active. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/37 "2003-03-20T00:47:53Z")
mackinac island is quite fun… ---
**Author:** ![MisterThyristor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MisterThyristor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MisterThyristor)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/38 "2003-03-20T10:48:55Z")
One vote for close to Cleveland. Near Cedar Point would be OK, too. I missed the last Columbus fest because I was moving, and would love to meet some of y’all. ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/39 "2003-03-21T19:17:29Z")
Theres a campground on the island right accross from port clinton. Its not very rustic, but its cheap ($5 per tent per person a night I think). Its very close to cedar point, almost walking distance. I’ll post when I have more info. Also Cedar Point doesn’t open till IIRC after memorial day weekend. One final thing, if we get enough dopers to sign up (TONS AND TONS), I’ve heard that theres a possibility to have the entire place to ourself. Not actually to ourselves, but they have special days for certain organisations only. More info after some research. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383/40 "2003-03-21T21:01:36Z")
I vote Dearborn. Why? 1. I’m here 🙂 2. It always seems there’s a dopefest in AA; let’s mix things up. 3. D-born has the best selection of Chicken Schwarma and Hummus this side of Iraq. 4. Nice variety of bars and restaurants-- LaShish, Biergarten, Double Olive, George & Harry’s Blues Cafe, rotating bar on top of the Hyatt-Regency. 5. Henry Ford Museum. 6. It’s close to Ann Arbor, so if people get antsy here, y’all can hop on I-94. 7. Nice variety of hotels from Ritz-Carlton to Comfort Inn to Hilton. 8. Great parks. 9. Maybe we can even take a tour of the Ford Rouge Plant, and watch the Mustangs getting built. If not now, I invite y’all here at some point in the future for sloppy good time… Happy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-annual-great-lakes-doperfest-i-think/151383.md?page=3)