I’ve been looking at going to Illinois in November, so please put me as a hesitant maybe. My first concern is that if the dopefest is all weekend, are events arranged in such a way that a person could attend for only one day? If I go, I’d be doing multiple things that weekend and could probably only make it out for a day, if not just a few hours.
Here’s to hoping!
Count me in as a definite maybe. I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday weekend, but I’ll have to see how my finances are…or I may just beg for a few feet of floor space on which to crash. Sounds fun though.
Any MADs up for a carpool?
Okay, we have a definite date.
November 9th - November 10th
Today, I will check on hotels and prices and will post the addresses.
Lel, while we haven’t made any definite plans, I know that we’d be happy to have you for even a portion of the weekend.
More to come,
Tibs.
I’m in the area, but I usually don’t go for these sorts of things. I may make an exception, though.
Sometimes, that’s all you can do, chumpy. Aw, you know I’m just funnin’ ya, right?
You’re so…coy.
You goof, Gundy. Yes, I know you’re teasing. heh.
Tibs . o O (Who is this crazy woman waving to me? And why is she coming this way? Why is she picking her nose?)
The boards have been tempermental for some folks so, by request, I have created a mailing list. To join, just drop me an e-mail at: TibsTanglewood@aol.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spffld/
I will post information about hotels, food, updates, all that stuff there as well as on the boards to make sure everyone is up to date.
If you’d like to get the e-mail updates but not receive all the group messages, please e-mail me and let me know you’d like the updates and I can make sure to e-mail you individually.
Tibs.
I’m in. Unless we’re struck by some random comet 'tween now and then.
Is that round trip or one way?
See above. Let’s see what the answer is to that question, and we can talk.
Goofies. It’s round trip…she said that. 
D’oh! :smack:
Sorry, I’m flying into Harrisburg, PA on the 9th so I can’t make it. Hopefully I will get to meet MsRobyn & Co. when I’m there.
That’s less than a two hour drive from here, so there’s a reasonable chance I would try to make at least part of it. [sub]If people with less than 0.25 posts per day are allowed…[/sub]
Crap, just lost a paragraph post. Essentially, I just said I am a definite maybe who might forget all about it. Email me if you want me there or just need a ride.
Possibly here.
My SO wants to go to St Louis(she’s never been), and if I remember Springfield is the only thing interrupting that beautiful drive between Rockford and St Lou?? 
Wow. That weekend actually looks fairly open for me (well, not Friday night, but it would be waaaay too much to expect that much). I might be able to make it. I’ll have to pencil it on the calendar when my wife isn’t looking…
D’oh! I’m going to have to bow out already. I work at the UW football games here and ironically we’re scheduled to beat Illinois that weekend. have a good time, maybe next time.
Okay, I’ve been calling some hotels.
There are four hotels that are very closely grouped together (a parking lot separates them). This is where the last Spffld was and so I thought I’d try for there.
At each hotel, I have called and left a message with a manager about getting a discount. Most of them require at least 4 room blocks to get the discount. All of the hotels are very, very comparable. I doubt there would be a significant difference in quality and they are all in the nicer part of town. The prices that I have down for the rooms represents the normal price without discount. I should hear back this week about discounted prices. I am also trying to get a meeting room where we get the most rooms - with luck, they either won’t charge for that if it is empty (I think this happened last Spffld?) or we will get a discount in the price for getting the rooms there.
Comfort Inn
(217) 787-2250
Without discount: $67.99
Courtyard by Marriott
(217) 793-5300
Without discount: $74.99
Fairfield Inn
(217) 793-9277
Without discount: $72.99
Sleep Inn
(217) 787-6200
Without discount: $59.95
The Sleep Inn has 57 rooms available for Friday and Saturday night and seemed eager to get a block of them. It is also the cheapest, which is great!
More than a few people have contacted me about the possibility of sharing rooms or finding transportation from Chicago to Springfield.
To help, I will list the people who will be coming to Spffld (including those on the tentative list):
Porcupine
Gundy
Deadly Nightlight
Uncle Beer
Tygre
Daowajan
Akatsukami
Lel
MrCynical
JoeyHemlo
Tequila Mockingbird
Iampunha
Dyno
Philbuck (come meet the gang!)
VileOrb
David B
Did I miss anyone? Many of you will be coming from similar areas so carpooling might be a nice option.
Like Gundy stated, there is also a round trip train for $40.
This does not have to be an expensive trip, if you’re willing to have a few roommates. There is also the possibility of getting a large suite and slumber-partying it.
If you aren’t on the Spffld mailing list, consider signing up - we’re discussing how to help fund some folks for whom making it out here would be more of a financial burden.
To help you plan, these are some of the costs that are probably involved:
Transportation
Lodging
Food
Drink
Chipping in for a meeting room, if we don’t get a large suite, etc.
The two biggies - Transportation and Lodging - can be reduced a fair bit by going in with someone else on a carpool or a room so definitely consider that.
Also, we can shuffle around a bit and pick people up from their hotel room so I’ll be happy to find some other hotels under that $60 mark. Please let me know.
To help defray costs - We could all go to my place and cook a huge meal together, too.
Let me know what you think and feel free to e-mail me:
Tibs.
I live around peoria so if there is anyone around here I can give someone a ride
There are some events going on in Springfield that weekend which are detailed at:
Here they are:
Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Music Festival. Crowne Plaza Hotel. (Fri. 2:30pm-11pm, Sat. 10:30am-11pm, Sun. 10:30am-3pm) National touring bands performing at Midwest’s largest indoor bluegrass music festival. Admission. (217) 243-3159. www.bluegrassmidwest.com
8-10 Footloose. Springfield Theatre Centre. Admission. (217) 523-0878.
9 Vachel Lindsay’s 123rd Birthday Open House. (10am-4pm) Birthday cake, costumed students, performances of Lindsay’s poetry, and music. Free. (217) 524-0901
9 Super Saturday. Illinois State Museum. (10am-4pm) A free, thematic, hands-on activity day for families. Free. (217) 782-6044. www.museum.state.il.us
9 Wild About Winter. Henson Robinson Zoo. (10am-6pm) Learn all about how the animals prepare for the winter months. Admission. (217) 753-6217.
Tibs.