Though the Glenside Color Computer Club hails from the Chicago, IL area, it long ago stepped over city, state, and even country boundaries. With the advent of the Internet and most recently the need to virtualize club meetings, we now enjoy a global membership. The fest itself welcomes visitors from Louisiana to Ohio, North Carolina to Oregon, and many points in between. Beyond the USA, we welcome folks from Canada all the way to Columbia.
To illustrate our global reach at the fest, Fabian Rodriguez and Reinaldo Torres share how to CoCo in Columbia:
If you’re like me, you’re panicking a bit at this point, feverishly finishing up stuff before you pack for the show and leave. In actuality, it’s T-5 for me, since I’ll be arriving Thursday evening to help with setup and just general prep. If you are, stop, take a deep breath, and remember that we’ll enjoy your presence no matter the situation.
As John Mark and others have noted in the past, the official title is The <number> Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST!, where <number> is nominally the number of years since the first Annual event in 1992, with a skip in 2020 we don’t talk about much :-). Though, to be pedantically correct, except for the number, pretty much the entire name of the show is a lie…
As noted, with the skip in 2020, the word “annual” probably should have a “*” by it, as a few folks have noted. But, ignoring that for a moment, except for the current fest, the word “Last” in all the previous show names are lies, as we have held another one a year later. Obviously, it’s a bit of CoCo inside humor. But, if we give a pass for everything shutting down a year, us included, and keep a bit of humor in the title, I posit even the name “CoCoFEST!” is a lie.
Why, you may ask? Well, though we do tend to see quite a few Color (Colour for our members up North) Computers, we also see CoCo-like machines such as the Dragon 64, the Z-80 based Tandy machines, some related products (like the MM/1), and our favorite little Tandy system, the MC-10. Talk about an underdog!
A number of our community cater to this tiny member of the family, including Brendan Donahe. Here is Brendan explaining some novel constraints around the Tandy MC-10 video system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Cl-BVsy4Q
So, if you have a non-CoCo Tandy or Radio Shack computer (or even a clone), you’re part of our people!
A) Contact Grant Leighty. He can be reached at: https://www.glensideccc.com/about-us/
Q) Does Glenside accept credit cards as payment at the CoCoFEST?
A) Yes, but not all vendors do.
Q) What should I bring?
A1) Musical instruments.
A2) We hold two auctions, so bring stuff you want to keep out of landfills to go into the auctions, and bring some spending money or a credit card to spend on auction items to add to your collection that you didn’t have a chance to purchase when you were younger. The money from the auctions goes to help pay for the CoCoFEST! Buy books, manuals, software, cables, joysticks, disk drives, computers, fanfold paper, and such. If you bring an item and it does not sell, then consider taking it back home with you. Printers generally do not sell, and no one wants to be stuck with them.
A3) People are selling hardware and software (outside of the auction) so bring some spending money for that.
A4) Charge the battery in your camera and bring it.
A5) Bring hardware you want repaired or upgraded.
A6) Bring your ideas.
A7) Chicago has toll roads, but toll booths are no longer manned. Many toll booths no longer accept coins. If you do not have an electronic IPASS/EZ-PASS unit or sticker for paying tolls, you can pay by plate by signing up at https://www.getipass.com/ or the Tollway Authority can mail you an invoice that you can pay online. Or use your GPS and avoid toll roads altogether.
A8) An ice scraper for your car, just in case.
A9) If you are driving, consider bringing a spare television (TV) or monitor. CRT monitors can be useful too.
A10) Do you have an old landline phone, phone wire, fax machine, or modem, that you can bring to the CoCoFEST!?
A11) Do you have some old items from Radio Shack or the 80s that you think people would like to see again? Like an old VCR tape of some old movie.
A12) Bring some 1980s-style candy to the CoCoFEST! Do you remember Moon Pies?
A13) Buy something in the auction, play with it for a year, and put it in next year’s auction as a tax write-off.
Q) What should I bring for AC power needs as a vendor?
A1) Bring extension cords, power strips, and tape to hold them down.
A5) Consider bringing a smart plug with power monitoring capability, an AC voltmeter, or an electrical ground checker. to help diagnose AC power issues.
A6) Think about solutions to running a high power appliances like a 1500 watt hot air gun. This could cases cause a circuit braker to trip. But a simple power management system can be made with Home Assistant that could solve this problem. You will need two smart plugs with power monitoring and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). When the UPS output power exceeds 200 watts the UPS input power is disconnected. And when the UPS output power drops below 100 watts the UPS input power is restored.
Q) What should I bring for DC power needs as a vendor?
A2) Consider bringing a USB data blocker charge only cable. I always carry one with me. It is useful for when you need to use a public charging station but do not want your personal data to be stolen or have malware installed on your cell phone. Mine looks like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099F521JZ/
A3) Consider bringing a single port 100-watt or more USB-C charger with Power Delivery (PD) and a 100-watt or more USB-C cable. Retractable cables can be nice. And cables with more than one connector on the other end can be nice. You may be able to run a laptop computer off of this. And with a little work you can run a CoCo off of this. Also you can offer to charge someone’s smartphone.
A4) Consider bringing a USB power meter.
A5) Consider bringing a USB-C Power Deliver (PD) to adjustable power supply converter. Or bring a USB-C PD dummy breakout or USB-C PD. adjustable voltage power trigger module like this: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5807
A6) Consider bringing an adjustable power supply.
A7) Consider bringing a USB power bank. I have a USB power bank that accepts four rechargeable 18650 cells and outputs a USB charger. I have extra 18650 cells for when the the battery of 4 cells dies.
Q) Is free Wi-Fi available to all at the CoCoFEST?
A) Yes! The hotel Wi-Fi may require you to agree to the terms of service and some devices like an ESP-32 serial-to-Wi-Fi may not be able to do this. Some smartphones can be used as a Wi-Fi hotspot to get around this problem.
Q) What kind of computer should I bring to show at the CoCoFEST?
A1) CoCos, Tandy, TRS-80, Radio Shack, and clones.
A2) Anything that runs a Motorola 6809, Hitachi 6309, Motorola 68k, Zilog Z80, Intel 8080, Intel 8008, Intel 4004
A3) Southwest Technical Products Corp. (SWTPC)
A4) Tomcat, MM/1, AT306, Delmar System IV/ Peripheral Technology PT68K-4
A5) FPGA, Microprocessor, Arduino, Raspberry Pi and such.
A6) Calculator, adding machine, slide rule, and abacus.
A7) Analog computer
A8) Mechanical computers
Q) Would people want to see NitrOS-9/6809 driving a teletype machine, teleprinter, paper terminal or silent 700?
A) Yes!
Q) Would people like to see a plain old telephone bulletin board system in operation using 300 baud?
A) Yes!
Q) Can I arrange for my booth to be next to someone else?
A) If you sign up early enough, then you can select the tables you want. This is done on TandyList.
Q) What is the attendance like?
A) 100 to 150 people are likely to attend and about 97% of them are male.
Q) Will there be an opportunity for non-vendors to swap/trade/sell hardware?
A) The entire event consists of trading, swapping, buying and selling software, hardware, other stuff, stories, anecdotes and knowledge. I think you would be hard pressed to not find time to do this.
Q) How do I get from the airport to the hotel?
A1) You can take a rental car, taxi, Uber, Lyft, or limo.
A1) A Hawaiian shirt and blue jeans would be fine.
A2) A CoCoFEST shirt and wash pants are also fine.
Q) Is the hotel handicapped accessible and can I bring a mobility scooter?
A1) Yes!
A2) Note: You can rent a mobility scooter and we will help you get it out of the trunk if you like. Please consider bringing someone who likes these events and needs help getting around. It just may do you both some good.
Q) How do I know I am getting a good room rate at the hotel?
A) Get there before dark on Friday. Sunset is 7:54 PM.
Q) When can I set up my booth/table?
A) It may be possible for a few people to set up on Friday evening between 3:00-11:59 PM. Otherwise, you can set up on Saturday morning between 8:00-9:00 AM.
Q) What are my options for gluten free food?
A1) Jimmy John’s sells a lettuce wrap.
A2) Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Schaumburg, IL
A3) Pizzeria Uno, Schiller Park, IL
Q) How do you know how many people are coming to the catered dinner?
A2) Beware – Illinois has speed cameras and red-light cameras. This is a crime. But there is an app for that!
A3) Don’t speed through road construction sites even on the weekend when workers are not present, unless there is a sign that says it is ok. I think I am telling you right about this.
A4) In the suburbs of Chicago, I have seen a lot of beggars standing at an intersection with a stop light begging for money. I do not give them money. I want to be ready for when the light turns green.
Q) Is this a busy area?
A) Busy is a relative term. Downtown Chicago is very busy. Carol Stream is half or a third as busy. And parking is free.
Chicago Transit Authority – CTA Buses, elevated trains, train, subway, service for Chicago
Pace (Chicago suburbs bus)
Metra train (Trains from Chicago to the suburbs and back)
South Shore Line train (Trains from Indiana to Chicago and back)
Airports:
O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago Executive Airport-PWK
Schaumburg Regional Airport
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Notes:
American Science and Surplus
Salvador Garcia says: Yes, you can go to the Website and browse, but it does not prepare you for when you go in person. There is a huge number of stuff, everything from a periscope (Geneva store), beakers, test tube and more for your chem lab, motors, gearmotors, LEDs, electronic components, foam human hearts, stuffed plushy brain neurons, real frogs for dissection, bearings, magnets, DaVinci machines kits… well, the list just goes on and on.
Alien Entertainment Store
Salvador Garcia says: And if there are any sci fi fans (Dr. Who, Star Wars, Star Trek) then Alien Entertainment in Lombard has enough stuff to keep you busy for about two hours.
If you are coming to the CoCoFEST! from out of town on an extended stay, you may be interested in other things to see while you are here. The ladies may enjoy a trip to the mall or antiquing and shopping in Long Grove, IL or Geneva, IL.
Chicago Chinatown
North Riverside Park Mall
Salvador Garcia says: And if there are any die-hard fans of the movie Contagion, I can point you to the mall where the mall scenes were filmed 🙂
Leaning Tower YMCA
(It is a half-size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.)
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Navy Pier
(Amusement rides, boat rides, IMAX Theater, restaurants and ship cruises)
Frank Lloyd Wright Tours
Salvador Garcia says: If anyone is into architecture, Oak Park was home to the internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
A few years ago, when we were planning the next few show dates, I saw that there would be a May 4 in 2024, and I was stoked to suggest that date to the club for our 2024 show. I can see some of you rolling your eyes, but the Star Wars Saga and the home computing era in the 1980s have such deep connections. Almost every platform, including the CoCo, offers a multitude of Star Wars themed games, even if they weren’t licensed from LucasFilm. Even catch phrases like “Stay on Target!” and “It’s a Trap” find their way into CoCo games, utilities, apps, and discussions. So, corny though it may be, I am excited about our nod to George Lucas’ space western for our 2024 show.
I don’t anticipate any major concerns at this point, but it’s the calm before the storm as we hold our last meeting before the 32nd Annual CoCoFEST! Tables are in short supply, the hotel is well filled, speakers are cleaning up their presentation materials, and I’m getting ready to print attendance badges. Speaking of which, if you want a nice preprinted badge, my advice is to pre-register on www.tandylist.com in the next week or so. I usually print the badges the Monday of the show (so April 29), and to speed up registration their year, I think we’re going to just hand out a Sharpie and badges with the show graphic and a blank name box for walk-ups. And yes, if you surmise this is attempt to get folks to pre-register to speed the process up, you are not wrong!
Anyway, Grant will give us a late-breaking news fest update at our meeting this month and field any last minute questions folks may have. If possible, we’ll continue our discussions on the club’s capability to finance estate purchases for archival. As well, if you’d like to bring up any other topics, please let me know and I’ll add them to the agenda.
Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7:00PM to chat and address any Zoom connections issues folks might have.
Just one month from today, the 32nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST! will officially kick off at the Carol Stream, IL Holiday Inn. For 2024, we’ve taken over the entirety of the show space at the venue, not only filling the entirety of the main hall, but also taking over space across the hallway. CoCoFEST coordinator Grant Leighty is busy finalizing the presentation schedule, which will be posted along with hotel reservation information and exhibitor details at https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/. For the second year, CoCoFEST! is sponsored by Retro Rewind. Please stop by their booth at the show.
Speaking of hotel accommodations, they’ve noted 102 nights have already been reserved, though they are holding the block rate open until April 17. If you’re considering joining us in Carol Stream, there’s no better time than now to take advantage of the room rate. Like last year, attendee admission is free, though we really appreciate pre-registration via www.tandylist.com. Also as in previous years, we are offering a catered evening meal at the hotel, and you can order tickets at that web site. Finally, please consider joining GCCC or renewing your membership during your pre-registration.
Whether you’re planning to attend in person or join virtually via our streams, be sure to show off your show spirit by grabbing some of the show apparel. In addition to t-Shirts, hoodies, caps, beanies, and shorts, you can also pick up a CoCoFEST! mug, bottle, backpack, apron, laptop bag, button, magnet, or fanny pack. If there are babies in your life, nothing says you’re a great influence for that child more than a CoCoFEST branded onesie or bib! Sadly, there’s no plush CoCo Cat due to copyright concerns, but I do think the teddy bear is quite cute! No matter what you fancy, you can sport either one of our show graphic designs.
No matter why you’re planning to attend, we’re excited to share this event with you, a CoCo Connoisseur. Beyond the exhibits, presentations and the even popular No Minimum Bid Auction(tm), I hope you are able to enjoy making new friendships and strengthening existing ones. Given all of the demands on our time, I think it’s important to take a weekend like this to focus on the relationships in the community. If you have an opportunity, stop by my table at the show and say hello.
To no one’s surprise, this event would not exist without the efforts of the event staff, coordinated by showrunner Grant Leighty. I’d also like to thank Randy Weaver for assisting on the TandyList automations. If you have an opportunity at the show, please take a moment to thank our volunteers, without whose help, CoCoFEST would be nothing.
I hope everyone is getting excited for this years CoCoFest, it’s only a few weeks away. I just wanted to remind everyone about some important dates that are coming up.
You have until March 31st to book your room at the hotel at the room block rates. To book a room at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream, you can book your room online by clicking here. I will be having a meeting with the hotel this week, and I will see if they can extended it for a couple of more weeks.
Tables are selling out fast. As of writing this post, the main room has sold out, and the overflow room only has three tables left. We do have tables available in the hallway, but you will need to take your items to your room at the end of the show on Saturday. One thing that will be different this year from the years in the past, we will not have any extra tables to sell during the fest. If you are wanting a table, now is the time to get them. We will have to cut off table sales no later than April 19th. Also, April 19th will also be the last day to order your place for the Saturday night dinner. I have to give the hotel the final numbers on Monday. The dinner was really good last year and we had great turn out. Here is the Menu for this dinner:
Garden Salad with two dressings
Smoked BBQ Brisket, and Pulled Pork with BBQ sauce
Baked Bean
Macaroni & Cheese
Desert
If you are planning to show up for the CoCoFEST, please pre-register, it FREE!!!! For people that pre-register you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a free prize. When you pre-register it helps up prepare for the number of the people who are attending and we will have a name badge prepared for when you arrive.
If you have any questions or concern please send me an email at cocofest@glensideccc.com. I will be posting the schedule for the show in a couple of weeks, so be on the lookout for that. I hope to be seeing everyone is a few short weeks.
The main room is booked solid, tables in the overflow room and the hallway are going fast. I am excited for our upcoming fest, and I hope you are as well. I hope everyone looking for a room is able to secure one, and that your project and/or presentation preparations are going well!
And, the CoCo is not the only platform getting more love these days. Many of you are probably aware the Vintage Computer Festival Midwest, also held in the Chicago area, is moving to a larger venue. For those who visited the 2023 event and saw the packed 12,000 sq ft main VCF-MW hall, prepare for the almost 38,000 sq ft event in the Fall 2024! GCCC will have a booth at this show as well.
I would like to take a moment to thank Mark Overholser and our presenters at the 2024 Early Virtual Fest held on February 24th and 25th, 2024. I hope you were able to catch one or more of the presentations. There’s interest in planning another for early 2025, and Mark suggests we start preparations in October to give people plenty of head up
Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7:00PM to chat and address any Zoom connections issues folks might have.
We are now less than 70 days until the 2024 Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFest. The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, and it will be here before we know it. I just wanted to provide a few updates on this year’s CoCoFest.
First, the tables sold out in the main room faster than any year before. I have worked with the hotel and we have come up with a couple of ideas. I have added 14 tables that will be in the hallway, and 9 tables that will be located across the hall in a smaller room. Both options will have power available to them. Each table will be 6 foot in length, and will cost $30 each. The main difference between the two locations will be the overflow will be locked up at the end of the night after the show. The tables in the hallway will need to be taken down and placed into one of the rooms at night. I would like to keep the tables in the main ballroom for people who are displaying or selling items. If you are wanting a table for a place to call home, or a place just to seat down, please use one of the hallway tables. If you want to move your existing table to another location, please send me an email to cocofest@glensideccc.com and we will get that done for you. One last thing, since we have to rent the extra tables, there will NOT be any extra tables to purchase on the day of the fest. To purchase a table for this year’s CoCoFest, go to our website at tandylist.com.
I am still looking for people to give presentations this year. If you want to give a presentation, please send me an email and I will get you add to the list. Don’t forget that this year’s theme is Star Wars. I would like to see the tables decorated in the Star Wars theme. There might even be a prize for the best decorated table. If you have any questions you can reach me on the CoCo Discord, or by email at cocofest@glensideccc.com.
The new t-shirts for the Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFest! 32 are now available. Just like last year we have two designs to choose from. Both designs are done in this year’s theme which is Star Wars. You can purchase the t-shirts from Glenside Spreadshirt store at https://glensideccc.myspreadshop.com. The store also sells more than t-shirts, like mouse pads, coffee cups, water bottles, buttons, and several other items. All the profits from the sales go back to the club to help put on CoCoFest. I would like to thank both Ron Delvaux, and Salvador Garcia for designing the t-shirts this year. Make sure to purchase your t-shirts now so you can wear them at the fest this year. May the fourth be with you!
