Another vote for May (I’ll have another week’s vacation time then) when the weather will be less hateful and bitter.
May is a much better choice than March, if for nothing than for travel considerations. We did just get around 6" of snow last Friday so March can be pretty dicey weather-wise around here. April is pretty much like March so that’s not too much more attractive.
Oh and since I’m already here, hell yeah. That would be awesome.
Sadly, I don’t think I’m going to be here in Chicago at that point. Boo. Otherwise I’d volunteer in helping making plans. Ah well.
Okay, so May 2009 it is.
So what’s the nearest large microbrewery to this? 
I think we need to page Mr. Bus Guy and the other Chicagoans.
This is an intriguing idea and I will hopefully have money to hop across the Atlantic for the shindig.
Goose Island Wrigleyville isn’t too far.
Huh… I said “microbrewery” kinda tongue-in-cheek, but that might work pretty well, actually.
It’s actually pretty big and has room for I think parties of up to 500. I’m sure there’s a cost associated with that, but still, it would work. So would Walter Payton’s Roundhouse but that’s out in the burbs.
No burbs! I ain’t leavin’ the city unless I’m visiting Blues Brothers locations.
Consider me paged, I’ll shout to a couple others I know as well.
Payton’s Roundhouse is in the far west burbs, only a few minutes from me. It’s the end of the line for the BNSF Metra (commuter rail) line. I’d agree downtown is best though, and yeah, as close to 111 E. Illinois as practical.
Well, this could be very cool! The only thing I already know I have booked in May of '09 is a weekend of camping the first weekend of the month. (Beltane, y’know. I love that my religiously excused absences from school involve bonfires and tents.)
Which brings up another thought - while we’ve always enjoyed restaurant Dopefests, we DO have a gajillion parks and recreation areas in Chicago. We could do a cookout in the gloriousty of early summer. (Probably with a restaurant for an ill-weather backup spot.) Or not. Just a thought, I’m not married to it or anything.
Soooooooooo does anyone have a spare couch?
Y’all would pick the weekend I’m graduating from grad school, wouldn’t you…
Dunno if I can make this (Sunday the 11th is definitely out), but I’ll try.
I like the idea, but that means either a little more work for everyone (which never works) or a lot more work for a few (which really sucks if you’re one of those few). Might be good for a smaller local 'fest, but I dunno about something as big as I’m picturing for this.
I’m always up for a party! Don’t know if I can plan so long in advance, but I usually don’t have too much going on that I can’t work around!
I kind of like WhyNot’s idea of doing it in the summer (even early June would be good), so we could do it outside. But anything’s good by me…I’m pretty flexible. 
Consider me paged, as well!
Me, too!
Another stray thought which just came from the other end of my couch:
The ballpark on the south side has large party rooms, a nice deck, heck even a box for a game, if we split the cost wouldn’t be out of reach. No one HAS to watch baseball if you don’t want to, but they’re big places, and I can see the marquee on the scoreboard welcoming Cecil Adams and the Dopers.
Uh…no thanks.