Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America Chicago 2012 Inaugural Year A Huge Success!
Michael and I wish to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this years inaugural Private LGBTQIA
OUT IN THE PARK at Six Flags Great America Chicago
a GINOURMOUS success!!!
Michael and I connected with the executive team at Six Flags in May of this year, 2012, wanting to do something officially “BestGay” sanctioned and they were ecstatic because they had been wanting to do a Gay event on a much more massive scale than ever hailed before at the park and we were fortunate they felt our vision of what this
GAY event could become fit best with theirs.
Yet, this year almost never happened and we were talking about 2013 because we simply couldn’t find a Saturday in September of 2012 where they could accommodate us without upsetting their existing general admission schedule or without competing with previously scheduled Gay fund raising events within our community those Saturday September nights.
HUGE props to the executive team again at Six Flags for thinking outside the box and coming back to us and saying “We are willing to keep the park open after our official closing time of 9pm on Saturday September 8th if you think you could make
a 9pm to 1am party in the park a success.”
That was all Michael and I needed to hear and we were off and running to make it happen with less than 7 weeks to the actual event day.
A HUGE heartfelt thanks to:
ALL of YOU that supported the event, came out, championed the hour of monsoon rain, and REALLY made it all happen (just hinting here-imagine, bring along simply ONE new friend next year and we can easily double our numbers-just saying).
HUGE Thank You to the executive team at Six Flags Great America Chicago, GLACEAU Vitamin Water, AbsolutelyChicagoSegwayTours, Halsted Pharmacy, RainbowPizza, Viaggio Italian Restaurants, and of course Ryan VanMeter, Bill Farrand and TPAN’s entire staff and volunteers that helped make this inaugural year’s event a huge success generating nearly
$12,000 for TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network)!
Also a big shout out to Matthew Harvat and Phil DaBeatz, our amazing hometown DJ’s, for giving us grooves to remember and dance to all night, despite soggy equipment at points and to GRAB Magazine, Chicago Pride.com, Boi Magazine and the L Stop for helping to spread the word to the entire LGBTQIA community
in such a short amount of time.
And so to make things easier to remember moving forward, OUT IN THE PARK Gay Day at Six Flags Great America Chicago will always be the
second (2nd) Saturday night every September for years to come.
So save the date for next year!
Saturday, September 14th, 2013 for 6pm until 1am.
OUT IN THE PARK 2013 will be bigger, better, longer and even GAY-er and
continue to raise money for local charities!
See you next September!
Derrick Sorles and Michael Snell
www.BestGayChicago.com
Six Flags Great America Guidelines
People have been asking about policies and clothing, what can they wear, what they should not wear – so here are some guidelines for everyone!
Does Six Flags Great America have a dress code?
In keeping with our family-friendly atmosphere, and for health and safety reasons, Six Flags Great America strictly enforces a dress code. Proper attire must be worn in the park at all times, including shirts and appropriate footwear.
Clothing with rude, vulgar or offensive language or graphics is not permitted at any time (shirts cannot be turned inside out as a solution). Bathing suits may be worn only in the water park area.
Again anything that could potentially be a safety hazard on the rides will have to be removed. But dresses and most clothing don’t really present a problem on most rides and should be fine.
Guests are permitted to enter the park wearing costumes and decorative makeup – BUT NO FULL MASKS that would cover or hide someones face. Park admission may be denied if clothing is deemed by management to be inappropriate.
Is smoking permitted in the park?
Smoking is allowed in designated areas only – on the blue benches. E-cigarettes may only be used in designated smoking areas. THIS IS VERY VERY VERY STRICT. Violators WILL BE ejected with out warning or a refund.
May I bring my own food and beverages into Six Flags Great America?
No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed to be brought into Six Flags Great America. However, we allow each guest to bring in one bottle of water and exceptions are made for Guests with special dietary needs to include food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Park Security or Guest Relations when they arrive at the Park for approval to bring in special dietary foods. The special dietary food containers will be marked and dated to clearly show that they have been approved for entry into the park.
What is Six Flags Great America’s alcoholic beverage policy?
No alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into Six Flags Parks. Alcoholic beverages purchased in the park may not leave the premises. Excessive consumption of alcohol is cause for ejection from the park without refund. No one under age 21 is permitted to consume alcoholic beverages and proper identification is required to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages at Six Flags Great America. Guests are prohibited from taking beer or wine purchased in the park out through the front gate.
Are laser pointers permitted at Six Flags Great America?
For the safety of our Guests and employees, laser pointers are not permitted.
Glow stick type toys are permitted.
Upon entering the the park, your ticket will be scanned.
Gay Day Out at Night Six Flags FAQ
Q. WHEN WILL TICKETS GO ON SALE?
A. $38 PARK TICKETS ARE NOW LIVE
use this link or
promo code OUT at the top of the page
Q. Can I use my season pass or a ticket I already purchased and had not used yet?
A. NO! You could go during the day with your season pass……but the party at night is a special ticket, with part of the proceeds going to charity. The park is closing at 8pm. Then the park will re-open at 9pm for our event.
Q. I am a single person and I really want to go!
A. No worries. There will be other single riders as well – single riders that want to pair up and make new friends should meet at HOMETOWN SQUARE where the live DJ’s are spinning. Meet there about 9pm-9:15 and we can hopefully get the single people introduced and make some new friends!
Q. Will ALL the rides be open? or just a few?
A. ALL of the rides will be open that are normally open in September. The Midway where you play games of chance and win prizes, will stay open as well for us.
All of the Kiddie rides WILL BE CLOSED.
Hurricane Harbor closes September 3rd – so obviously, that will be closed all well.
Q. What if I won’t know if I can go until the last minute and have to buy my ticket at the gate?
A. Tickets are available at the gate for a higher amount – it has not yet been announced. But yes, tickets will be available at the gate.
Any other questions, let us know!
BestGayCities (at) gmail.com
Imagine 9pm-1am is a private event for you and your close
friends!
Q. What will the weather be like?
A. I don’t know, my crystal ball is broke. But I am sure it will be nice.
Q. How many
people will be in the park at 9pm?
A. 8000+
Q. Will Circuit Mom be dressed as MOM?
A. NO .
Circuit Mom will not be there. Matthew Harvat will be there instead.
Q. Can I wear flip flops?
A. NO!!!NO!!!NO!!!
Gay Day Out in the Park at Great America Illinois
Six Flags Great America is rolling out
the Rainbow carpet for the LGBTQ community!
September 14th, 2013
It’s only $38!
Part of the tickets sold will go to CHICAGO HOUSE!
$38 PARK TICKETS ARE NOW LIVE
https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica/tickets/index.aspx?promo_code=out#
or if you can not get the link to work
AND you get free parking when you buy your $38 ticket in advance!
Don’t drive? Don’t worry!
Various bars are providing luxury buses available from Boystown
Imagine, NO LINES for rides!
During the private event 9pm – 1am, there will be little or NO LONG LINES!
So whether you like the Superman ride – or the Batman ride….
or want to ride the new X FLIGHT over and over again, you can ride all night.
So tell all of your friends!
This very special Six Flags Great America
evening event is for the LGBTQ community
and their friends ONLY.
NO HATERS will be tolerated.
So there!
Brought to you by MINI Cooper of Chicago and BestGayChicago.com
X FLIGHT thrills at Six Flags Great America
Get ready to take flight! The most highly anticipated thrill experience of 2012 is ready for launch. X Flight, an extreme, revolutionary wing coaster debuts today at Six Flags Great America. The Gurnee theme park’s newest coaster is one of the first-of-its-kind in the world.
X Flight is a ground-breaking wing coaster featuring state-of-the-art technology. X Flight launches riders on a flight that defies gravity, with no track above or below them. Riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their feet dangling, as they begin their climb up a 12-story plunge launching them into speeds of 55mph through 3,000 feet of intense drops and five inversions, including a barrel roll and zero-g roll. One of the most adrenaline-pumping moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds straight toward a structure, before making a last-minute vertical flip through a keyhole cut-out.
“X Flight is unlike any other coaster in the world,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America park president. “Soaring through 3,000 feet of twisted steel with no track above or below you is an amazing experience. It feels like you’re riding on the wing of a plane speeding through extreme turns and flips while swerving through a hanger, tower and even water elements. We are thrilled to bring this cutting-edge wing coaster to our guests for the 2012 season.”
Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary rides and game-changing roller coasters. X Flight joins an already impressive coaster line-up becoming the theme park’s 14th coaster. The wing coaster is designed by acclaimed manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, who also designed Six Flags Great America favorites: Raging Bull, SUPERMAN: Ultimate Flight and BATMAN: The Ride.
Follow us at Twitter.com/SFGreat_America
Like us at Facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica
Directions to Six Flags Great America Gay Day
If you are driving to Six Flags, buy purchasing the Special $35 Gay Day Out in the Park ticket, you get FREE PARKING! – We will also have luxury buses from Boystown as well.
Our address is:
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
Located on I-94 at Route 132 (Grand Ave.)
There is an alternate entrance for our Guests available on Washington
Street. There is typically little or no wait to access the park via
this convenient alternative!
FROM CHICAGO
Take I-94 or I-294 West. Exit on Grand Avenue (Rt. 132) east in Gurnee, Illinois. Six Flags is located immediately on the right.
Approximate driving time: 45 minutes.
FROM MILWAUKEE
Take I-94 East. Exit on Grand Avenue (Rt. 132) east in Gurnee, Illinois. Six Flags is located immediately on the right.
Approximate driving time: 45 minutes.
FROM WESTERN ILLINOIS AND IOWA
Take I-88 East to I-294 North in Illinois. Take I-294 North until
it becomes I-94 West. Continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue
(Rt. 132) east in Gurnee, Illinois. Six Flags is located on the right.
Approximate driving time: 3 hours.
FROM INDIANA AND MICHIGAN
Take Tri-State Hwy. 80/94 West. Continue into Illinois and take
I-294 West. Stay on I-294 West until it becomes I-94 West. Continue on
I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue (Rt. 132) east in Gurnee, Illinois.
Six Flags is located on the right.
Approximate driving time: 1 hour, 35 minutes.
OR Take the Skyway (I-90 West) through Chicago to the Dan Ryan Expwy.
(I-90/94 West). Continue on I-90/94 West; it will become the Kennedy
Expressway. 90/94 West near downtown Chicago. When 90/94 splits,
continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue (Rt. 132) east in Gurnee,
Illinois.
Six Flags Great America is located on the right.
Approximate driving time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.
FROM PEORIA/BLOOMINGTON
Take I-55 North to I-294 West. Take I-294 West until it becomes
I-94 West. Continue on I-94 West and exit on Grand Avenue (Rt. 132) east
in Gurnee, Illinois. Six Flags is located on the right.
Approximate driving time: 3 hours.
TRAVEL TIPS
The entrances to Six Flags Great America can get very busy in the
peak summer months of July and August, especially right at park opening
times (10am-11am). Try to arrive earlier in the morning to avoid
back-ups.
First Annual Out in the Park Six Flags Great America to benefit TPAN
An all-new private LGBT event featuring rides, live music and a party-like atmosphere
BestGayChicago.com and vitaminwater® are excited to premiere an all new LGBTQ event and fundraiser at Six Flags Great America. Out In The Park 2012 will be a private event for the LGBTQ community, their friends and families. “We are very excited Six Flags Great America is allowing us this unique opportunity to produce such an awesome event at their park,” said Derrick Sorles, owner of BestGayChicago.com. “We are proud to have TPAN (Test Positive Awareness Network) as our benefitting charity.”
On Saturday, September 8, 2012, from 9pm – 1am, the park will be closed to the general public for this private event. Guests will enjoy the music of DJs, Matthew Harvat and Phil DaBeatz, as it is heard live throughout the park. The DJs will be spinning together simultaneously as a team bridging two styles that compliment each other and bringing a signature dance floor experience to Six Flags Great America. This amazing LGBT event is expected to welcome people from the five surrounding states coming together to pride-fully celebrate!
Tickets purchased in advance are $35 which includes admission to the park all day long, free parking and admission to the Private Event! A portion of the advance ticket sales will benefit TPAN. Tickets are available now online at sixflags.com using promo code OUT2012.
A limited number of bus tickets will be available departing from Uptown on Montrose Avenue, 1 block West of Broadway. Busses will depart at 3pm and also at 6pm. All busses will leave the park at 1am and return to Uptown. Bus tickets are extremely limited. Visit www.GaySixFlagsChicago.com for more information or call 773-878-5323.
About TPAN
Now in its 25th year, TPAN empowers everyone living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS to live open, healthy, and productive lives. TPAN innovates to deliver peer-led support programs and collaborative wellness services and to communicate comprehensive information. TPAN will do so until HIV/AIDS is eradicated.
About BestGayChicago.com
Since 2007, BestGayChicago.com has been providing the best of everything gay and gay-friendly in the greater Chicago area. Owned and operated by Best Gay Inc., their sites provide news, information, travel tips and entertainment for the LGBTQ community.
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