HOST HOTEL
Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream (Wheaton) by IHG
150 S Gary Ave
Carol Stream, IL 60188
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Book your stay at www.holidayinn.com/chi-carol or call the hotel directly at (630) 665-3000
and use Group Code: MCR for our blocked room discounted rate of $129/night + taxes/fees.
Itinerary
Thursday, June 10th
CHECK-IN // 3:00-4:00pm
Host Hotel Lobby
​You can check into your room at the Holiday Inn starting at 3:00pm. When you arrive, stop by our table in the lobby so that we can greet you and give you your goody bag (one per travel party).
HAPPY HOUR & SOCIAL TIME // 5:00-7:00pm
Anyway's Pub, 304 W Army Trail Rd, Bloomington, IL 60108 (8-min drive from host hotel)
Join us at Anyway’s Pub (8 minutes from the host hotel) for a happy hour and social time. We have reserved space on their covered patio and will have hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Come and enjoy catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
Friday, June 11th
We have two sightseeing options below. Both will happen concurrently so you are only able to attend one or the other.
OPTION 1: ARCHITECTURE BOAT TOUR // Arrive 10:30am, Tour starts 11:00am, (90 min duration)
112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 (45-min drive to get into the city from the host hotel)
You must pre-register for this experience when you register for the Gathering (so we know how many tickets to purchase). Join us for an Architecture Boat Tour along the Chicago River. Meet at the northeast corner of Michigan Ave & E Wacker Dr (112 E Wacker Dr) in downtown Chicago. Look for the black awning marking the stairway entrance. It is suggested by the tour guides that you arrive by 10:30am. Our boat will launch at 11:00am (don’t be late!). This is a unique and fascinating way to tour Chicago while learning about the stunning architecture of its many skyscrapers. There are several ways to get in and out of the city from the suburbs, including by train or car. See next page for options. Learn more about this tour at www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise
OPTION 2: NAPER SETTLEMENT // Meet there at 10:00am
Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL 60540 (30-min drive south from the host hotel
As an alternative to the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago above, we will be arranging a group tour to nearby Naper Settlement. Naper Settlement is a family-friendly outdoor history museum featuring 13 acres of learning and interactive opportunities for all ages. Learn about the pioneer history of the area from period-attired docents, access historic buildings and exhibits, see history demonstrations, and more. We anticipate having a dedicated docent lead our group from building to building. Learn more at www.napersettlement.org.
SIGHTSEEING ON YOUR OWN // All Day
Chicago area
Other than the options above, Friday is a “free day” for you to explore Chicago the way you wish! Visit www.choosechicago.com to plan your visit.
SCOTTISH CEILIDH // 6:00pm
DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 (9-min drive from host hotel)
Join us at the Chicago Scots’ Scottish Festival & Highland Games main entertainment stage (Building 1) for a traditional Ceilidh (Scottish social gathering featuring live folk music, and group dancing). Admission cost: Included with Games ticket (which is covered by the Society).
SATURDAY, June 12th
CHICAGO SCOTS' SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES // First event starts at 9:00am
DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 (9-min drive from host hotel)
Join us all day or come and go throughout the day. We’ll be based at the Clan MacKinnon tent hosted by Kevin McKinnon (IL Commissioner) and his father John McKinnon (MI Commissioner). The festival is located 9 minutes from the host hotel for those who prefer to taxi/Uber/Lyft there. Your admission cost is covered by the Society and your tickets will be included in your check-in materials on Thursday.
BANQUET & DANCING // 5:00-10:00pm
Ballroom at the Host Hotel
We will gather together in the evening for a culminating semi-formal banquet at the host hotel. Time to don your tartan! A cocktail hour and socializing begins at 5:00pm with a cash bar. At 6:00pm, take your seats for a plated dinner. Remarks and introductions will be at 7:30pm. There will be a silent auction with various items for you to bid on before and during the meal, with a live auction to follow. After dinner the Chicago-based Duke of Perth Cèilidh Band will get everyone on their feet for lively dancing. If you have a donation for the silent auction, don’t forget to bring it with you to check-in on Thursday or to the banquet.
SUNDAY, June 13th
DEPARTURE DAY // By 12:00pm
Host Hotel
Hotel check-out is by noon. Before your departure, take the morning to make your fond farewells to old and new friends who have come from near and far. We hope to see you again at our next Gathering!
REMINDERS & TRANSPORTATION
What the registration fee includes
Your registration fee covers one goody bag per party, hors d'oeuvres at Thursday’s social hour, entrance ticket to the Ceilidh on Friday & Highland Games on Saturday, plated banquet meal (cash bar) on Saturday, live banquet entertainment, and a party favor.
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What the registration fee does not include
Travel expenses (airfare/car rental/Uber/Lyft/taxi/train) to, in, and around Chicago; hotel accomodation; and meals (other than the banquet) and any alcoholic beverages (all cash bars) are not included in your registration fee.
Breakfasts
Breakfast is not included in your hotel fee. There is a restaurant at the host hotel that serves breakfast and there are other restaurants and fast food venues in the area.
Parking
The host hotel offers free parking.
Getting around Chicago
The host hotel does not offer a shuttle service to/from any Chicago airports. Chicago, like most American cities, is quite spread out and we will be staying in a hotel in the western suburbs nearest to where the Scottish Festival & Highland Games will take place. For ease and freedom, you may wish to drive to the Gathering or rent a car during your stay. Other transportation options include:
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Taxis/Uber/Lyft to book rides around Chicago
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Chicago also has trains in/out of the city (Metra) and their famous elevated “L” train within downtown Chicago; more information here: https://www.metra.com/schedules and here: https://www.transitchicago.com/schedules/.
One-way distances by car to or from the host hotel
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O’Hare International Airport: 30 minutes
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Midway International Airport: 50 minutes
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Anyway’s Pub (Thursday Happy Hour): 8 minutes
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Downtown Chicago: 45-50 minutes
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Naper Settlement: 30 minutes
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Wheaton Metra Train Station (in case you are taking the train into Chicago): 8 minutes
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DuPage County Fairgrounds (Scottish Festival & Highland Games): 9 minutes
Getting to the Boat Tour on Friday morning:
By Car
There are several paid parking structures that are within a short walking distance of where the boat launches from that include:
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Millennium Parking Garage (112 E. Wacker Dr.)
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Illinois Center Parking South (306 E. South Water St.)
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Park Millennium Parking Garage (221 N. Stetson Ave.)
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And many others on Google Maps
Give yourself enough time to drive into Chicago, find parking, and then walk to the boat launch location. Meet at the northeast corner of Michigan Ave. & E. Wacker Dr. (112 E. Wacker Dr.) in downtown Chicago. Look for the black awning marking the stairway entrance.It is suggested by the tour guides that you arrive by 10:30am. Our boat will launch at 11:00am (don’t be late!).
By Train
You will want to drive and park or taxi/Uber/Lyft to the Wheaton, IL Metra Train Station (402 W. Front St., Wheaton, IL 60187) which is 8 minutes from the host hotel. From there, you can buy tickets for the Union Pacific West (UP-W) train taking you to Ogilvie Transportation Center (aka Chicago OTC). Check the train timetables here: https://metra.com/schedules?line=UP-W, but I would suggest being on the 8:54am (or earlier) train which will get you into Chicago OTC at 9:53am.
From Chicago OTC, it’s a beautiful 25-minute walk along the Riverwalk to the boat launch site at the northeast corner of Michigan Ave. & E. Wacker Dr. (112 E. Wacker Dr.); look for the black awning. Alternately, you can choose to taxi/Uber/Lyft to the boat launch site.
To get back to the host hotel, take the Union Pacific West (UP-W) from Chicago OTC to Wheaton Station at a time that suits you. Again, the train schedules are here: https://metra.com/schedules?line=UP-W.
If you plan to attend the Scottish Ceilidh at the DuPage County Fairgrounds that evening, remember to allow yourself enough time to get back so you don’t miss it.
