Wednesday Night Shin-Dig

The player party on Wednesday Night will be at a great bar/restaurant called LIFE'S TOO SHORT - "Southern Florida Meets Cajun" - at Elston & Division (on the north side of town). There will be ample, free parking at the restaurant.

Description of premises: Multiple levels, on the North Branch of the Chicago River. Decorated themed facade throughout. It is one of only two restaurants directly on the river in Chicago. Separate Bar and Dining areas, upstairs and downstairs bar. Large deck upstairs with stairs leading to wrap around decks, all with a great view of the city skyline. Kicking is encouraged -- there's even an outdoor shower for those of you who really go hog-wild kicking. :-)

There's a pool table, and there may even be a live band with steel drums. There restaurant has an incredible view of the river and city, and there's a kayaking place just next door that will offer kayaking in the river (with special "safe" kayaks that won't swamp) before the party.

Their trademark here is that the dessert comes first with the meal, then the food.

All drinks are $1 off for kickers, including soft drinks.

There is NOT any sort of "meal deal"-- everyone is on their own for food. They have a very limited amount of vegetarian entrees.

Final details will be included in your player packet, available at check-in, and will be presented at the players' meeting on Monday afternoon.

Awards Ceremony

We have an excellent awards ceremony planned to close out the event this year! The ceremony will take place in a restaurant reasonably near the host hotel, so players will have an opportunity to shower and get cleaned up for the ceremony, which will include a catered dinner, for an additional charge (tickets to be purchased during the event). Unfortunately, as this year's event's finances are finalized, we will not be able to provide this meal for free, as much as we would like to. Players not wishing to eat can attend the ceremony free of charge.

We have a semi-private room, seating for 200 in tables of 20, with a deck for overflow.

Food will be served family style... mostocholi, pizza, salad, bread and butter.

Each attendee gets two free drink tickets.

By the time awards comes around, you will already recognize the Connies logo, as they deliver to the Hyatt Hotel (you will have their menu in your players pack), they have a restaurant on the pier, and they will be serving lunch at pre-lims sites from 11:30 to 1:30 daily (pizza slices and sandwiches, with plenty of vegetarian options).

Cost for the Awards ceremony is $8 per head. Which includes the dinner and two drink tickets.

Tickets must be purchased in advance of the awards ceremony for planning purposes.

Tickets will be available at Registration and Scoring tent during the week of prelims and semi-finals.

Final details and directions to the awards ceremony will be included in your player packet, available at check-in on Monday. You will have opportunities to purchase tickets to the awards ceremony dinner service at the event booth throughout the week.