We eat, drink, and be Mary.

Seriously, we spend a few days just being ourselves and take in the sights and activities of Chicago. There's shopping, dining, shows, clubs, sightseeing, socializing, etc. Read on for some examples of what you can expect.

The dates for Pinkfest 2018 will be Tuesday evening, September 25 thru Sunday, September 30. These dates may now be considered final.

Pinkfest dates have now been set to begin the event on the last Tuesday in September unless specific circumsances prevent it.

Pinkfest is a vacation, not a convention.

Pinkfest is more informal, far less structured, and more real-life. It's more of an informal get-together to simply enjoy life and each other's company. (It's also far less expensive.)

cat dlvfaq.html |sed "s/DLV/Pinkfest/g" >pinkfaq.html

Seriously, Pinkfest was started by some of the same people who first had the idea for Diva Las Vegas back in late 1996. If you've been to DLV, yes, you will see some familiar faces!

Well, obviously, Pinkfest is in Chicago and DLV is in Las Vegas. :)

Pinkfest is in the fall, DLV is in the spring. :)

Let's see, uh, what else? ...

Pinkfest is smaller, and probably will be smaller for at least the next several years. It's been mentioned several times that the recent Pinkfests had the look and feel of the earlier DLVs (1998-2000).

Both DLV and Pinkfest are vacations, not conventions.

It's a different setting, but a similar atmosphere. Good people, and activities that you will want to do.

Pinkfest has no formal organization or sponsorship. It is simply a group of individuals who agree to get together at more or less the same place at more or less the same time to enjoy the same activities and each other's company.

The event we know as Pinkfest began in November of 2001.

Uh-huh, right after 9/11. :(

Pinkfest 2018 will be our 18th. annual Pinkfest!

Nope, never has been, never will be. Likewise, Pinkfest is not a "fetish and fantasy" event.

Pinkfest is a social event for the TG community and is not sexually oriented.

There are two ways to view the older posts on the Pinkfest mailing list:

1. Using our own list archives on MyDLV:

Here's the suggested list of things you'll need to do:

No. There are a number of resources available for TG teens, but Pinkfest is not one of them, sorry.

Although the age of 18 is considered the age of majority in some locations for some purposes, we are not allowing people who are under the age of 21 to attend, sorry.

Those under 21 are not allowed to enter several of the venues used for Pinkfest. It is unfair to invite people to Pinkfest only to have to tell them that they are not allowed at certain activities.

It is suggested that those who are of age 18 - 20 who want to attend Pinkfest do so immediately after their 21st. birthday.

Spouses and SO's of age 21 or older are most welcome to attend and to participate with the group.

As for kids, some of the daytime activities might interest them, such as the Planetarium, but we do not recommend bringing them to Pinkfest.

If they're over 21 and know how to behave as a lady or gentleman, please feel free to bring them along. The more the merrier! :)

Well, I suppose it would be shortly before the end of the affair.

Seriously, if you decide at the last minute that you would like to join us, you will be welcome.

Due to our informal nature, we won't know until just before Pinkfest happens. We'll announce the headcounts in our mailing list.

Yes, admirers are welcome. We've always been open to anybody who identifies with the theme of Pinkfest, and who agrees to behave as a lady or a gentleman (or both).

Speaking very freely, admirers do have a reputation of coming on very strong, and it is this behavior, not the mere fact that they are admirers, that makes them unwelcome at some t* gatherings.

Yes, a significant percentage of our attendees live in the greater Chicago area. Join the mailing list as usual and state that you are in the local area when you send in your registration e-mail.

The times and locations of the various activities, along with directions and instructions for locating the group, will be given to those who register. One of the organizers will always be available via cell phone, so there will be no concern about failing to make contact or losing contact.

Most definitely !! :)

We have visited several bars and clubs that are known to be t-friendly. Yes, we will be visiting some of these for this year's Pinkfest.

Over the past few years, we've enjoyed a couple of smaller places in the Oak Park/Forest Park area in particular.

Since we're a vacation and not a convention, we won't have any exhibits or vendor hall.

However, as far as "vendors" you can patronize, there will be the entire Chicago business community!

Recommended hotels, as well as other accommodation items, are announced and discussed on our mailing list and in the Discussion Forum.

As always, everybody is free to stay anywhere they choose, if they wish. Some of the people attending visit Chicago frequently and have their own favorite places to stay.

We've had people stay at all kinds of places, from hoity-toity highrise hotels downtown, to economy motels out in the 'burbs. No problems with hotel staff or other patrons were reported.

On-street parking in the Loop (downtown), River North district, and Lakeview (Boys Town) district can be a challenge. Parking is almost always available in convenient lots, but these can be expensive.

For downtown and River North hotels, parking is usually NOT included in the daily room rate. Some hotels do have convienient parking with easy 24 hour in/out access, but others do not. If you will have a vehicle, ask when making your hotel reservations.

Suburban hotels, clubs, and other facilities will usually have adequate free parking.

Yes, we attended a downtown show lounge as a group over the years.

Looks like somebody forgot to edit this one out of the FAQ list. :)

We don't have anything formally written. However, a similar much larger event (Diva Las Vegas) has a collection of dress-related items which may be helpful.

This collection is on line at:

You basically have two choices for hotels for Pinkfest:

• Hotels in the Downtown and River North areas which tend to be expensive, over $100 per night.

  These are by far the most convenient, and in many cases, the money you will save on transportation expenses will more than pay for the higher hotel rate.

• Hotel in the suburbs which can be well under $100 per night.

  These will almost always require you to have your own vehicle.

Discussion about hotel rooms will occur on our mailing list.

If you're interested in sharing a room in order to save money, you can coordinate this with others on our mailing list.

We tend to pick places that are moderate in price.

There will most likely be one dinner planned at a more upscale restaurant for those who would like such an option.

Not really. The roots of Pinkfest and the roots of Diva Las Vegas are indeed intertwined, but there's no official connection. Attendees at either event are certain to see familiar faces from the other, however.

You will be welcome to participate either as "brother" or "sister" (or both) depending on your preference.

If you wish, you will be free to transition from one mode to the other at a time that will be primarily determined by your own comfort level. You might plan your big "coming out" to be at a time such as an evening at a club that is known to be T-friendly. Several of those attending will be willing to help you as needed, and will give you feedback as to what you should do, and what may or may not be appropriate.

Play it by ear. You will know when you're ready to appear in public.

You may not know anybody else in advance, but you will indeed be among friends!

It's normal to be concerned about this when getting together with any group of people you do not already know. Please be assured that those who attend Pinkfest are very outgoing, very inclusive, and not in any way snobby or cliquish. Most of the people attending were at one time in exactly this situation themselves.

In several years we had good luck with weather, and the temperature hit 70. In 2002 we had one warm evening with cool rainy days. 2003 was cool but not cold. 2006 was our only cooler-than-desirable weather so far. In 2007 it was actually uncomfortably hot and humid some afternoons.

Since we're holding Pinkfest a few weeks earlier this year, we can expect, statistically, a few degrees warmer than in the past.

We've always had a great time, however, warm, cool, hot, cold!

Weather reports will be posted in the mailing list as the date approaches.