Obama camp hunts for open-air election (victory) party site (downtown Chicago extravaganza!)

Yahoo ^ | 10/16/08

[Libloather]

Obama camp hunts for open-air election party site
Thu Oct 16, 3:45 PM

LONDONDERRY, New Hampshire (AFP) - Barack Obama's White House campaign is considering two big parks in downtown Chicago as it hunts for a potential site for an election night extravaganza, aides said Thursday.

Millennium Park or the adjacent Grant Park, site of an open-air mass in 1979 by Pope John Paul II, are under consideration but permit discussions with city authorities are in their early stages, the aides said.

Both parks could accommodate thousands on what is likely to be a chilly night in the Windy City where temperatures in early November average just above freezing.

But if Obama translates his commanding poll lead over Republican John McCain into victory, supporters fueled by alcohol and elation are unlikely to mind the cold on November 4.

**SNIP**

The sprawling Grant Park, which hosts many of the city's biggest summer festivals, offers stunning views of both the skyline and the lakeshore and is best known for its massive Buckingham fountain.

Millennium Park, located a few blocks north along Michigan Avenue, is peppered with sculptures and is home to a bandshell designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.

[Libloather]

Will the corks still pop after the Hussein Obomber defeat?

[hsmomx3]

Now that would be a hoot!!

[babydubya1981]

I guess it would be easier to get the rioting started if they are already outside.

[chambley1]

Is there an open field at the Chicago Sewer Plant?

[edzo4]

rats, now they ruined it, it was supposed to be a suprise party for McCain

[ssaftler]

Wrigley Field springs to mind. Losers sticking together and all that...

[PhilosopherStones]

Wherever it is, it will make France’s annual New Year’s Eve “auto de feu” seem like a county fair in Indiana.

(Sorry, couldn’t resist a tri-lingual pun. I should be punished!)

[Kackikat]

Hey, since they are going to have eat crow, how about Ayers house, it seems appropriate to end Obama’s campaign where he started it.

[kimchi lover]

Let’s hope they will be crying in their champagne.

[mapmaker77]

How much do the tickets cost?
And, can I get a refund?

[Temple Drake]

It might look a lot like this summer’s Taste of Chicago, based on the coverage here:

http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/search?q=taste+of+chicago

[rabidralph]

Cabrini Green should be available or maybe that gazebo can be rented out. I hope they have traffic cams pointed at the crowd when cars start burning and windows start breaking.

[God luvs America]

wanna bet it spills into riots regardless of the outcome???

[rabidralph]

They should stay away from discos, in any event.

[mkcc30]

There is nice big area in central Oklahoma. Just ignore the Jets that fly over occasionally.

[Popman]

Here's the perfect spot. It's already paid for. You don't want to spend too much money for a concession speech

,p>

[proudpapa]

Nothing like a nice, day near the Lake Michigan waterfront in NOVEMBER!

Seriously, They could have the party at Meigs Field, the airport destroyed by Mayor Daley despite Obama’s protests. {sarc.}

The old Meigs field location is just a stones throw from where Obama’s $3 million EARMARK for the Adler Planeterium is located.

[Libloather]

Even with global warming, they're worried about record lows? That's kinda funny...

Obama Election Night Party Likely In Grant Park
Oct 15, 2008 5:20 pm US/Central
Reporting Jay Levine

CHICAGO (CBS) ― It's not a done deal yet, but all indications are that campaign officials are leaning toward Hutchinson Field on the south end of Grant Park as the site of their election night party.

The field is home to softball diamonds, the popular summer Lollapalooza music festival and was the site of the mass Pope John Paul held in Chicago nearly 30 years ago.

If Grant Park is chosen as the venue, it would not be the first big outdoor event for Obama. He announced his presidential run outside the old state capitol in Springfield on a very cold day last February and gave his nomination acceptance speech at Denver's Mile High Stadium.

**SNIP**

Security arrangements are reportedly starting to take shape, and Mayor Richard M. Daley reportedly said it was a great idea.

The record low for Nov. 4 in Chicago is 15 degrees. CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine asked Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Roper what he anticipated for the night.

"Weather's never a problem Chicago. We know how to handle it," Roper said. "And there'll be a lot of warmth that night, if indeed it does take place in Grant Park."

Roper added that the event would be a "huge economic boost for our city."

"People have been following Barack Obama around the world, and the world will have their eyes on Chicago that evening," Roper said. "With the Pope's visit from 30 years ago, to Lollapalooza, this city knows how to handle big events. … We're prepared."

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/obama.election.night.2.841341.html

[mombonn]

Will the corks still pop after the Hussein Obomber defeat?

I know my I would pop SEVERAL corks to celebrate his defeat! I'd be willing to suffer the mother of all hangovers to see him go down in flames.

[ninergold3]

wanna bet it spills into riots regardless of the outcome???

That was my first thought as well. It will either be a "Victory" celebration with happy rioting or it will be an all out riot with the US is Racist as the theme.

If McCain manages to pull this one out, stay indoors and take down your McCain/Palin signs and stuff to keep from becoming a victim of an angry mob.