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Participant Info Participant Information:
When: Saturday July 15 8:00pm
Where: Soldier Field
Athletes Uniforms:
Uniforms are not required although organized teams are encouraged to unify their
presence in the stadium by wearing team uniforms. Keep in mind, as you create
your uniforms or plan what you are wearing, that Chicago in July can be very hot
with high humidity. We recommend that you dress appropriately. Due to the nature
of the turf in both Stadiums, high heels of any kind will not be allowed. There
are no facilities at Soldier Field for changing into your uniform or outfit. Please
arrive dressed in what you plan on wearing for the procession.
Banners and Signage:
- Gay Games VII will provide each Country, State and Province with signage
designed and produced by Chicago Games, Inc. (host organization for Gay Games
VII).
- Gay Games VII Partners and Cities Teams can carry one (1) team banner no
larger than 10'wide x 36" tall.
- No corporate logos are allowed on the banner.
- Given space and staging considerations, it is NOT POSSIBLE for individual
athletes to carry banners or signs during the Opening Ceremony.
- Please do not plan on carrying any additional signs or banners into Soldier
Field for the Opening Ceremony.
Corporate Sponsorships for teams and CGI partners:
We encourage corporations to step up to the plate in sponsoring teams and organizations
of athletes. There are many ways that these corporations can be acknowledged for
this support. However, no sponsor presence or logo shall be evident on any banners
or signs carried into the stadium during the procession. Teams may give sponsor
presence on uniforms, as long as this presence remains within the proscribed size
parameters of 100mm x 100mm. Please make sure that, as you plan your uniforms
that your team adheres to the size parameter.
Country, State, Province or City Affiliation:
All athletes will need to decide with which country, state or province they wish
to enter the stadium. It is your personal choice. Many athletes that live in another
country may choose to enter the stadium with the country of their ancestry.
We highly recommend that you identify and join your local City, State/Provincial
or National Team if one exists. These organizations will be a key source of uniforms,
information and resources that will significantly enhance your Gay Games experience.
However, membership is not required to participate in the processional. Within
each state designation, Organized teams will enter the stadium first, followed
by individual athletes from that state. If you are interested in joining an organized
team from your city, please refer to our partners at http://www.gaygameschicago.org/partners/partner.php
Participating in the Opening Ceremony:
- All registered and accredited participants are welcome and invited to participate
in the procession at both opening and closing ceremonies.
- In order to comply with increased security measures for this international
event, you must be accredited PRIOR to arriving at Soldier Field at 5:00pm
on July 15.
- The accreditation office will be available beginning Friday, 14 July 2006,
(TIME TBA), Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan, Chicago.
- You must pick up your credentials in person.
- We recommend that you complete the accreditation process prior to 3:00pm
if you are planning on participating in the Procession for the Opening Ceremony.
- Please note: NO accreditation will take place at Soldier Field. You must
pick up your credentials at ACCREDITATION prior to coming to Soldier Field.
- Participants without credentials WILL NOT be permitted to march as part
of the procession at Opening OR Closing Ceremonies.
- It is IMPERATIVE that all registered and accredited participants marching
in Ceremonies have the proper credentials.
- Spouses, partners, children, and/or friends you are traveling with WILL
NOT be allowed to participate in the procession unless they are accredited
participants.
Props:
Opening Ceremony: Props such as umbrellas, beach balls etc. do not work
for opening ceremonies. Small country or team flags no larger than 5"x8" are ok.
PLEASE do not plan on bringing anything other than yourself into the procession
for opening ceremonies.
Closing Ceremony: Please feel free to plan team or individual
props as you wish as long as they are safe and are no wider than 42". Anything
wider than 42" will not be able to be allowed at the Closing Ceremony.
Refreshments / Food and Beverage:
CGI will provide water, power bars and fruit for the athletes during the time
that you are staging and lining up (5:00pm 8:00pm). We recommend that you bring
additional snacks with you. There will be limited Food and Beverage concessions
available outside the stadium for participants to purchase.
Seating:
ALL registered participants are provided a seat at Opening and Closing Ceremonies
as part of registration. The reserved sections for the participants are provided
only for the registered participants. If you want to sit with spouses, partners
or others during the ceremonies and these individuals ARE NOT registered athletes,
you will need to purchase an additional reserved seat and then move to that section
of the stadium after the procession. The participant reserved seats are VIP premium
seats. Additional reserved tickets for the ceremonies can be purchased at tickets.gaygameschicago.org
Transportation to Opening Ceremony:
Walking
Soldier Field is conveniently located just south of Downtown Chicago, the Miracle
Mile and Millennium Park. It is an approximate 30-minute walk from "The Hub" and
host hotel, the Chicago Hilton.
Public Transportation
We recommend that you take advantage of the free CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)
pass that is a part of the registration package for all registered participants.
For information on CTA options by train (the "El") or bus, log onto http://www.transitchicago.com/
or 1.888.YOUR CTA (1.888.968.7282). For information about METRA service (rail
service to the suburbs) and other Chicago land public transportation, call 312.836.7000
or visit www.rtachicago.com.
Driving Directions
Driving from I-55:
Take I-55, the Stevenson Expressway, northbound to Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41
North. Take LSD north to the 18th Street exit.
Driving from I-290:
Take I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, east to Congress Parkway. Take Congress
Parkway to Columbus Drive. Turn right and take Columbus Drive south to the 18th
Street exit.
Driving from I-90/94:
Take I-90/94, the Dan Ryan Expressway, north to the Lake Shore Drive/22nd street
exit. Stay to the right and exit to LSD. Take LSD/Highway 41 north to the 18th
Street exit.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a major construction project occurring
on the Dan Ryan, so please allow for additional travel time. It is highly recommended
that you either choose an alternate route, if possible, or use public transportation.
Driving from I-94:
Take I-94, the Kennedy Expressway, south to the Congress Parkway exit. Follow
Congress Parkway to Columbus Drive. Turn right on Columbus Drive and follow Columbus
south to the 18th Street exit.
Parking Instructions:
General Info Standard Parking manages the parking and on-site traffic operations
at Soldier Field. Please Call the Standard Parking Customer Service Hotline at
(312) 583-9153 if you have questions about parking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Where is Soldier Field located?
A: Soldier Field is conveniently located just south of Downtown Chicago,
the Miracle Mile and Millennium Park on Lake Shore Drive near the Museum Campus.
Q: I am an athlete or artist participating in the procession. When do
I need to arrive at Soldier Field?
A: All participants are required to be in the staging area adjacent to
Soldier Field NO LATER THAN 5:00PM
Q: Why am I required to be at Soldier Field at 5:00pm?
A: In order to organize and prepare 12,000 athletes for your role in
the procession, we have planned adequate time for this. There are many steps to
make sure that the participants are prepared. Additionally, security measures
dictate that ample time be allowed to process the participants prior to entering
the stadium itself. Participants who arrive after 5:00pm may not be allowed to
participate in the ceremonies.
Q: How long will opening ceremonies be?
A: Opening ceremonies, including the procession of participants, the
oaths and the lighting of the flame, will last approximately 2 hours
Q: Do I need to have a car to get to opening ceremonies?
A: No. in fact we recommend that you NOT arrive by car. We HIGHLY recommend
that you walk or use public transportation.
Walking
Soldier Field is conveniently located just south of Downtown Chicago, the Miracle
Mile and Millennium Park. It is an approximate 30-minute from "The Hub" and host
hotel, the Hilton Chicago.
Public Transportation
We recommend that you take advantage of the free CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)
pass that is a part of the registration package for all registered participants.
For information on CTA options by train (the "El") or bus, log onto http://www.transitchicago.com/
or 1.888.YOUR CTA (1.888.968.7282). For information about METRA service (rail
service to the suburbs) and other Chicago land public transportation, call 312.836.7000
or visit www.rtachicago.com.
Q: Is it feasible to walk to Soldier Field from "The Hub" and host hotel,
the Chicago Hilton?
A: Yes. It is approximately a 30 minute walk.
Q: Who can participate in the procession for opening ceremonies?
A: All registered and accredited participants are welcome and invited
to participate in the procession at both opening and closing ceremonies.
Q: I want to participate in the ceremonies but haven't registered yet.
How do I register?
A: Go to www.gaygameschicago.org
Q: I've already registered. Is there anything else I need to do to participate
in the ceremonies?
A: YES! You must be accredited as a participant once you arrive in Chicago.
You must pick up your credentials IN PERSON. The accreditation process takes about
30 minutes. The Credential Center is located in the "Hub" at the Hilton Chicago
(720 S. Michigan Avenue) and will be open beginning Friday, 14 July 2006.
Q: Can I get my credentials at Soldier Field?
A: No. All athletes must pick up your credentials at the Accreditation
Center located in the "Hub" at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Avenue).
Q: Can my spouse (partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, lover…) march with me
in the procession?
A: They can march with you ONLY if they are a registered AND accredited
Games participant. Due to high security restrictions, ONLY accredited participants
can participate in the procession.
Q: Am I required to wear a specific uniform for the ceremonies?
A: No, however in the spirit of the games, organized teams are encouraged
to unify their presence in the stadium by wearing team uniforms.
Q: We wanted to wear costumes for opening ceremonies. Will "costumes"
work and will there be facilities to change?
A: The nature of opening ceremonies does not lend itself to "costumes"
per se. Space is limited so anything worn that is beyond the parameters of shorts,
slacks or skirts, shirt, and hats will be difficult to navigate during the procession.
Costumes that are large in scale may compromise the experience for athletes processing
around you.
Q: Can we come in drag?
A: Of course! However, NO HIGH HEELS of any kind will be allowed on the
turf in the stadium. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Q: Are there any restrictions or guidelines for color?
A: There are no restrictions for color. You may wear whatever color(s)
you choose.
Q: We have corporate sponsors for our team. Can their logo be on our uniform?
A: The guidelines for including individual team corporate logos are VERY
specific. They may be no larger than 100mm x 100mm -- See above for details.
Q: Do we provide our own signs for the procession?
A: No. Gay Games VII will provide each Country, State and Province with
signage designed and produced by Chicago Games, Inc., the host organization for
Gay Games VII.
Q: Do individual cities have signs?
A: Only San Francisco, the originating city of the Gay Games and Chicago,
as host city, will carry a city sign in the Opening Ceremony. These signs are
provided by CGI.
Q: I am part of an organized team of athletes (i.e. Team Chicago, Team
San Francisco). Can we carry a team banner?
A: Yes you can as long as it adheres to the guidelines for team banners.
Teams can carry one (1) team banner provided it is no larger than 10'wide x 36"
tall and contains no corporate logos. It should be a banner, made of flexible,
folding material, not a rigid material or cardboard. Banners that do not fit these
design parameters will be held for you and they can be picked up after the ceremonies
are completed.
Q: I am an individual participant not affiliated with an organized team
of participants. Can I carry a personal banner or sign?
A: Given space and staging considerations, it is NOT POSSIBLE for individual
participants to carry banners or signs during Opening Ceremony. Please do not
plan on carrying any additional signs or banners into Soldier Field for Opening
Ceremony.
Q: Can we carry props in opening or closing ceremonies?
A: Opening Ceremony: Props such as umbrellas, beach
balls etc. do not work for opening ceremonies. Small country or team flags no
larger than 5" x 8" are ok. PLEASE do not plan on bringing anything other than
yourself into the procession for Opening Ceremony.
Closing Ceremony: Please feel free to plan team or individual
props as you wish as long as they are safe and are no wider than 42". Anything
wider than 42" will not be able to be allowed at Closing Ceremony.
Q: I am from a city that has an organized team but I am not a member of
the team. Where do I march?
A: We highly recommend that you identify and join your local City, State/Provincial
or National Team if one exists. These organizations will be a key source of uniforms,
information and resources that will significantly enhance your Gay Games experience.
However, you can enter the stadium as an individual participant along with the
other individual athletes from your state or province even if you are not a member
of a local team. Keep in mind that individual participants are recognized en masse
by state or province and carry no additional signage.
Q: I live in the United States but Id like to be in the procession my
country of ancestry. Is this ok?
A: Yes it is. All participants will need to decide with what country,
state or province with which you wish to enter the stadium. It is your personal
choice. Many participants that live in another country may choose to enter the
stadium with the country of their ancestry.
Q: I'm interested in learning more about what cities have teams. I may
want to join. How do I do this?
A: Visit our Partner
Page and follow the links to the individual cities teams for information about
becoming a member.
Q: I am a registered participant. Where do I sit during the opening and
closing ceremonies?
A: ALL registered participants are provided a (1) seat to opening and
closing ceremonies as part of your registration. The reserved sections for the
participants are provided only for the registered participants. The athlete seats
for both Opening and Closing Ceremonies are in VIP reserved areas. (See
the seating diagram.)
Q: I am traveling with my partner (friends, spouse, children) and I want
to sit with them during the ceremonies. Can they join me in the participant’s
area?
A: ONLY IF THEY ARE REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS. Due to space considerations
having others join you in the athletes seating area will not be possible. In order
for you to guarantee a seat next to your spouse (friends, partner, children),
you will need to purchase an additional reserved seat for yourself with them and
move to that section of the stadium AFTER the procession.
Q: My partner and I are both participating in the Opening Ceremony; however
he is marching with a different state than I am. Will we sit together?
A: Most likely not (unless you determine a location in the stadium to
meet in advance). Due to the choreography of how the athletes leave the stadium
floor and take their seats, we have no way of guaranteeing that you will end up
seated together unless you march into the stadium together.
Q: How do I buy additional seats for Opening and/or Closing ceremonies?
A: Tickets can be purchased on-line at tickets.gaygameschicago.org
Q: Will food and beverage will be provided during lineup at Soldier Field?
A: Water, power bars and fruit will be provided to the participants during
staging and line up (5:00 - 8:00pm). We recommend that you bring additional snacks
with you. There will be limited Food and Beverage concessions available for purchase
outside the stadium.
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