TGIF, Parrot Heads!
I hope you all had a fun 4/20 yesterday. For those of you who do celebrate that particular holiday, I hpe it was memorable. As in, I hope you can remember it.
There are no club events this weekend, but I still have a bit of news to pass along to those who may be interested in some general PHiP news, or in some info on the Chicago Wrigley Buffett show. If you aren’t interested in those things, well, you can probably stop reading now and just come back next week. 🙂
PHiP Tradewind Times
For those of you who don’t know, Parrot Heads in Paradise, Inc (PHiP) is the international organization of all official Parrot Head clubs, including ours. Once a quarter they publish their official newsletter, the Tradewind Times. The new issue was just released. If you are interested in keeping updated on all the news in PHiP-land, you can the Tradewind Times by clicking HERE.
Wrigley Buffet Show Info
If you’re lucky enough to have tickets to see Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers in Wrigley this July, I have some info to pass along from the local Chicago Parrothead Club. Since I know a number of you are attending the show, and many got tickets outside of the club, I wanted to send it to everyone. Here’s what the Chicago Parrothead Club wants you to know:
Official Wrigley Pre-Concert Party
To celebrate Jimmy Buffett performing at Wrigley Field on July 15th, the Chicago Parrothead Club is hosting a Wrigley Phlocking for everyone around the country!
Are you on the list?
Where’s the Party?: Yak-Zies at 3710 N. Clark Street – just 1/2 block north of Wrigley Field.
How to register: First, contact the Chicago Parrothead Club to register for the party and get your name on the list. Deadline to register is June 30, 2017. [Email address has been removed for the web version of this newsletter. Please contact us at if you missed the original 4/21/2017 email & need the email address]
Where to go on concert day: Check-in at Yak-Zies before the concert (they open at 10AM) for their pre-concert Wrigley Phlocking party.
What you’ll get by registering:
When you register & then check-in at Yak-Zies you will receive:
- Special lanyard with commemorative “Buffett At Wrigley 2017” limited edition laminate, celebrating the concert
- Raffle for a one of a kind 3’ Bobble Head created especially for this event
- Special Parrotheads only discount on food/drink
- A whole lot of PHUN!!
Please note: Yak-Zies is pretty big, but not the size of Wrigley Field! Capacity of this event IS LIMITED, and it’s expected to fill quickly. We can’t guarantee admittance to this event past lawful capacity. If you are registered, you can still receive a lanyard, but you may not be admitted or served until legal capacity allows. Again, the deadline to get on the list is Friday, June 30, 2017.
Don’t forget, before and after the show….they’re working on having live music at Bob City and Joe’s Live in Rosemont!
Where to stay in Chicago
Whether driving or flying in, there are a lot more and cheaper hotels near the airports and suburbs. AND…they both provide ground transportation to the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) train system (more on that later).
That being said, while Midway is perfectly fine, Rosemont near O’Hare has a ton of great hotels, a casino, and an entertainment district (kid friendly) with 2 venues that will be featuring your favorite Trop Rock performers Friday and Sunday! Bub City Barbecue and Joe’s Live with Buffett weekend specials and live music! Performers will be announced soon!
If you stay downtown, keep in mind, it is more expensive AND transportation will be a challenge, but you are closer to the venue and great downtown attractions.
Getting Around
Cabs and Uber/Lyft will have a hard time getting close to Wrigley Field, and due to increased demand…Uber and Lyft will be expensive also. So expect delays.
There are busses heading down, and like driving yourself, all parking is offsite. Meaning…..once you park, there will be shuttles, or you walk to Wrigley. By offsite, we are talking at least 3-4 city blocks plus. After the concert, you have to walk back or wait for those shuttles to get back. With busses…if not the city busses but tour / concert busses…usually they depart within an hour after the show. So no hanging around!
NOTE:  For the far suburbs….there are concert busses running from Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg and Yorktown Mall in Oak Brook. This may be a great option, but again….they depart to return soon after the show!!
The CTA blue/Orange/red line is your best bet. The Blue line runs from O’Hare and Rosemont to the Loop. If you get off at Washington and transfer (free transfers to the Red Line) to the Red Line going to Howard…..it drops off right next to Wrigley Field (or jump off on Belmont and walk North on Sheffield to Wrigley….some great restaurants and bars to hit up!).  If you feel adventurous, another option is Blue line to Addison and then catch the bus to Wrigley (Probably less people that way). This train runs 24 hours!
If you are near Midway….take the Orange line to Washington and transfer to the Red Line toward Howard. Again….drops you off right next to Wrigley! Remember: trains stop running back at 1:25am on the Orange line!
Around town
Being in Chicago, you may want to check out the Margaritaville Café. This is located on Navy Pier which will be in full swing! The pier is BIG! Bring your walking shoes…lots to see and do, but also…..things to know. Parking is about $20 at the Pier. And the Margaritaville Café is small! It is not designed to sit and hang around.
Other things to do:  There is a on and off trolley that goes around the city, it stops at Navy Pier too. Consider any of the world class museums, but it may be too nice to be inside! Millenium Park has the Bean, interactive sculptures and an AMAZING new park for kids and adults, Maggie Daley Park! You may want to also see Buckingham Fountain in the Summer!
That’s all I know folks! If more info on Chicago (or anything else) comes around, I’ll send it your way.
Have a great weekend.