Who knows the Rules @ Tinley Park?

shrimper~dan · Post by **shrimper~dan** » March 26, 2002 12:08 am

After many trips to Tinley Park, and having been run out of the parking lot as soon as I arrived, I show up last year and people were tailin' everywhere. I asked a woman nearby and she looked at me like I had three heads and said they always let you tail-gate. Am I crazy or what? Can some kind PH please phil me in so I can plan better this year?

tropic · Post by **tropic** » March 26, 2002 1:43 am

ShrimperDan
I have tailgated there every year since 1992.
The key is dont get there to early.
If you show up later the crowd is generally to large.
Wait in your cars till you get a few others around you. Then get out with some other people around you and enjoy.
Dont be rowdy or obnoxios.
Watch out for the cops when entering the venue. Have all your booze locked up where you or your passangers cant get to it.(Yes I'am speaking from expieriance)
Collect your garbage.
And enjoy all your parrothead phriends.

sirgumby77 · Post by **sirgumby77** » March 26, 2002 2:04 am

OK people one last time

Gates Usually open at 3pm--unless there is a few hundred cars waiting to get in.

For the tailgating part--pretty much all goes----they will have security guards passing out flyers---simple way to get the guards on your good side is---take their stack of flyers, and hand them a beer ( ive done this every year, and it WORKS)

Now for the cops---i have never had a problem with the police there, after the saturday show in 2000, we actually stayed in the parking lot to let it clear out. Around 1am the cops came up to us and told us we had to leave, we asked him if we could at least have a few mins to finish our beers, and grap a pepsi, he was like sure no problem. When that happens---you are in the area of a few bars that close at 4am. you can go to the bar at 183rd and Oak Park Ave---its called Dendrinos---its as dive bar---but beer is cheap and is a 4am er. You also have the choice of going down to 135th and Harlem.(harlem is the exit you get off at if you take I-80) you go down to about 135th and there is a bar called Double OT----its another 4am bar---has a nice beer garden----and usually has drink specials) so if you all need to go to a place to drink after the show--i suggest those 2 that are the closest

BottleofRum · Post by **BottleofRum** » March 26, 2002 9:07 am

Geez this place sounds 100% differant than Great Woods. 3PM by then Great Woods lot is full! Why does he do two shows there if the palce is so tough, not to mention the Thursday show still aren't sold out!

ParrotheadCMC · Post by **ParrotheadCMC** » March 26, 2002 9:15 am

BoR-

Knob isn't like that either and we don't even get a show! The people start arriving for Knob at 9am. And the lot normally opens around 1-ish.

Joe Merchant · Post by **Joe Merchant** » March 26, 2002 9:30 am

So the key is not to arrive too early? Yeah, that sounds like fun... I've been to Tinley Park once and said I'd never go back. Going to Alpine and Cincy this year instead. Why Buffett plays two shows there is beyond me....the parking lot s***, the sound s***s and if you sit in the lawn you are guaranteed a great view of roof of the pavallion. I think Jimmy does it so he can get to a Cubs game on his off day....

ZeroDuval · Post by **ZeroDuval** » March 26, 2002 9:39 am

I agree with SirGumby, the last few years they have been pretty good with the tailgating. If I remember there are some forest preserves a mile South of Tinley where quite a few people have gone prior to the opening of the lots.

Troj27 · Post by **Troj27** » March 26, 2002 9:47 am

Besides the Cub games, (and the Cardinals are in town that weekend)I think it may have something to do with when Jimmy started in this "bidnez". The people in Chicago were strong supporters back when he was playing clubs like the Quiet Night and the Earl of Old Town. Maybe two shows in Chicago is his way of saying thanks. Or maybe it's that Chicago is a great place to party when you are not trying to satisfy 30,000 maniacs. So why not spend a few days here. Whatever the reason, I and the rest of the 60,000 people who will see him on those two nights are very thankful for effort.

prrthead80 · Post by **prrthead80** » March 26, 2002 9:55 am

I've been going to Tinley for the past 9 years...and in the last couple of years I think they are finally realizing that they can't get rid of us. I think the key is just to be respectful of the venue and the fellow parrotheads!! I'm counting down the days!!

Troj27 · Post by **Troj27** » March 26, 2002 10:00 am

Check out the gallery from last years show and you'll see two Tinley Park cops riding in a golf cart with leis around there necks. You can't get much more phan friendly than that. Basically if you can keep from throwing up on yourself or others then everything is cool. Be respectful and you will be respected.

opharbour · Post by **opharbour** » March 26, 2002 10:50 am

The problem with Tweeter World is that the rules are inconsistent. Apparently, Tinley Park has ordinances against tailgating and every year the enforcement varies. As the ownership of the venue has changed several times, each year is different. Sometimes the no tailgating rule has been enforced, more recently, as long as things aren't too outlandish, you can get away with it. No vibrator races here.

Having been told by security to pour my beer on the ground and to put my grill out a few years back, I've had enough of the BS with the late parking lot opening to the cops on horseback telling me what I can and can't do. If you want the best Tailgate experience, go to Alpine.

For Tweeter, the Chicago Parrot Head Club gets a permit at a nearby Forest Preserve where drinking, so long as you're 50 feet away from cars is allowed. All are welcome and the party starts around noon and goes until about 5 or so when everyone makes their way to the venue.

One warning: DO NOT have any open beverages of any kind in your vehicle as you drive by Tweeter. I don't care if the beverage contains alcohol or not. The cops have guys dressed as Parrot Heads who hold up a sign that says "Tickets" and stand in the island of the middle of the street looking for anyone why might have an open beverage in the car. If he spots one, he motions to other officers who WILL pull you over. At best, you'll get a huge hassle. At worst, you'll get a ticket. Don't let any of the passengers in your car drink in the vehicle. You'll be the one getting the ticket, not them.

prrthead80 · Post by **prrthead80** » March 26, 2002 11:09 am

hey opharbour...could you tell me more about the parrothead club and the party they hold before the show? Is anyone invited? Where can I find some info.?? Thank you

RAGTOP · Post by **RAGTOP** » March 26, 2002 11:12 am

from the sounds of it Tinley Park is what I imagine hell to be

ZeroDuval · Post by **ZeroDuval** » March 26, 2002 11:31 am

Ragtop, at times that is true, In my post I stated the past couple of years have been pretty good, who knows what this year will bring.

opharbour · Post by **opharbour** » March 26, 2002 11:31 am

Prrthead and others...

Info on the club is at http://www.chicagoparrotheads.com

Info on the "TailGreat Party" will also be posted there when finalized.

The party is open to all. Details are still being set up, but the permit for the Elizabeth Conkey Forest Preserve Grove #1 has been reserved (it has a shelter in the event of inclement weather - you never know in June!). The club has a 2 foot by 4 foot grill and serves up cheeseburgers and folks bring dishes to pass. A good will donation is collected to cover the cost of the burgers. All we typically ask is that you let us know how many will be coming so we can have enough burgers for the grill.

Last year about 300 people attended from 6 different states and at least 9 different Parrot Head Clubs were represented.

You can e-mail me directly at opharbour@chicagoparrotheads.com if you need more info.

Mr. Key West · Post by **Mr. Key West** » March 26, 2002 12:03 pm

Went to Tweeter last year and had not problems at all. I had a great time in the parking lot and in the venue. Nothing like Alpine but not as bad as some people make it out to be.

Joe Merchant · Post by **Joe Merchant** » March 26, 2002 12:14 pm

Tinley Park probably isn't the 'hell' that Ragtop refers to it as....afterall at least Jimmy is playing there. Mr. Key West...are you really in the front row? Why didn't you same so....

prrthead80 · Post by **prrthead80** » March 26, 2002 12:22 pm

no...it isn't that bad...it's all what you make of it. I always have a good time. Afterall, I'm just happy to be going.

Mr. Key West · Post by **Mr. Key West** » March 26, 2002 1:05 pm

The sound can be the worst in the world. I'm not going to no the difference from where I'm seating. I will do my best to get photos for the website. Maybe one will make it to the home page!! It will be hard but I will do it!

shrimper~dan · Post by **shrimper~dan** » March 26, 2002 2:30 pm

Thanks to all who replied, I am taking my 'keet to her first show and I really want her to have a good experience. Being rousted by the cops is the last thing I want. I am glad I'm not the only one who noticed that the rules are vague at best. Kind of like going to Tiajuana, what is encouraged one week gets you arrested the next. It sounds like that party in the Forest Preserve might be the ticket, a Cheeseburger in Paradise if you will.....