Fest For Beatle Fans Thread

[Blackguard]

Talk about your experiences at a Beatles Fest here.

[mari]

Oh, don't tempt me! I want to go to Chicagooo...

[Hari's Chick]

My best Beatlefest was in 1978, Los Angeles ~ also my first 'fest. Klaus Voormann was there as a guest. Back in the day, it was hugely crowded! And as I did not own a VCR yet (most people didn't at the time yet), Beatlefest was the ONLY way I could see George "moving," lol! I used to count days between when I would see him moving, having to rely on photos and imagination in between!!! *gasp*

So at 'fest I tried to fit in all the George video I could between the tv/video room and the bigger main projection/movie room. Guest speakers weren't as important to me, but Klaus was. He was cute :smile1: and he had interesting stories and things.

So that was exciting, hearing Klaus speak and then I waited in line and got my revolver album signed! But I was so shy I did not speak up and he misspelled my name! I didn't say anything, but also kind of wanted an autograph spelled correctly... so I would have to stand in line again (long line!!!).

I was looking at the time and nervous to miss George videos!! My Dad was there and though he did not feel well at the time, he told me I should go watch my videos and he would stand in line for me! He and my Mom stayed in line and I so happily ran off to watch more George!!!

My Mom told me later when they got to the front of the line, my Dad spoke to Klaus and spelled out my name and that Klaus said, "what a nice Dad!" :smile1:

That was my favorite 'fest because of this memory, really. My second favorite was the next year when I met up with my best friend for the second time ever... she and I had been Beatle pen pals. I remember seeing her and being so happy to see her again!! So, I guess my best memories are more tied to the peeps I went with than to the fest itself! LOL

Oh... and the time my future hubby and I landed a paper airplane in a lady's soup a few levels below in the Bonaventure!!! :angel4:

[Magill]

Finally meeting Victor Spinetti this past weekend. My gawd! The man is a bonafide cuddly teddy bear. :heart1: I really could listen to him for hours, too. Neil Innes...the same way. I think I was born in the wrong country! :thinker: :laugh5: Not to worry, though. BG is a bit teddy bearish too. For an American, that is. :laugh5:

[FPSHOT]

I have been to quite some "beatles fests" from the Dutch "Beatles Unlimited" fanclub which always were quite good. This upcoming one on Easter Monday has Pattie Boyd attending.

I recall one where I was with Legs and we had a good time picking up Bootlegs as usual and we had a book signed by someone I don't even recall who, and then there came this Beatles Tribute band.

The "George" looked so much like Paul and the "Paul" really looked so much like George, so that made us laugh already...it really made no sense.... then they started to play...and I think 5 minutes later we were on our way to the station :laugh5:

[jesgear]

http://www.beatlelinks.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31294&highlight=Beatlefest

[beatlelover45223]

I went to the very first BeatleFest, it was in New Jersey USA, it was great! I dragged all my family, Mom, Dad and all my sisters and brothers, all were fans, it was a success with my family, sadlly, I have not done it again! So I can identify, so much to do and see!
I agree with Lorraine, it was great to see all kinds of footage of our guys, that had not been out there before! I did have a VCR, at the time, off topic but when I bought my VHS VCR, there were only about 25,000 people in the US that owned them.... :cool1:

[Georgie Girl]

Oh, don't tempt me! I want to go to Chicagooo...We want you to go to Chicago, toooooooo.....

[mari]

Reallyyyy..? How muuuuch.....?

[dav-here]

The man is a bonafide cuddly teddy bear...BG is a bit teddy bearish too.

Okay...all together, everybody. On the count of three.

One...

Two...

Three.

"Awwwww...!!" :inlove2: :inlove2: :inlove2: :inlove2: :inlove2:

[oldbeatlechick]

Reallyyyy..? How muuuuch.....?


This much mari! :teeth1:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m304/rumorcontrol/big_hug.gif

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk21/darsphotobucket/big_hug1.gif

[Serena]

The Vegas Fest last summer was the only one I've been to. I think Donovan was the primary reason I went. It was a lot of fun, won a game a trivia, got some nice prizes and attended the fantastic Love show. However, my mother was a bit bored, she's not exactly a "fan." Fortunately one of her friends from work was there for accompany.


I don't think I'll be attending any Fests this year or any one soon, money is a bit tight now. I'm glad I got to attend at least one.

[instant karla]

i've been to four joisey fests. seeing old friends and meeting new ones is the best part. fending off drunks is always fun, too (right, obc?) so is singing (badly) at the lobby sing-along (right, eb?). oh, and green appletinis (right, magz?).

as far as the celebs in attendance, highlights were meeting billy preston, mark lewisohn and the quarrymen.

the absolute BEST part, however, is spending a day in manhattan when we're done festing.

[Blackguard]

Magill and I have been to three or four fests in NJ. Like ik sez seeing your friends and meeting new ones is a highlight. This year I met Asha and EasternBird at fest.

After Victor Spinetti spoke all four of us went to meet him. In all honesty the line to meet him stretched back from his table to the buffet tables. At the same time other celebs were signing autographs at their own tables. What to do, what to do :nono3:? The solution came :lightbulb when Asha asked Magill and EasternBird to hold a place and line while she and I went off to meet Greg Hawkes from the Cars. He signed my copy of the Cars anthology and Asha's note pad. Back at the Spinetti line things were still taking time. So Magill and I trotted of to meet the ever jovial and gracious Neil Innes. We chatted with a few people while waiting on that line, and then it happened, Asha texted Magill's phone to say a meeting with Victor Spinetti was imminent!

I stayed on line with Innes while Magill broke the land speed record :teleport: to have a photo with Victor Spinetti. He signed our copy of the Magical Mystery Tour DVD and Magill did get a photo with him :scream7:. She returned to the line for Neil Innes just in time. Once again we had a chance to speak with him and he signed my copy of the Bonzo Bands Cornology. Magill handed him the MMT DVD insert and he signed it as well.

I didn't get a chance to meet her, but I did get a place in the ballroom to hear Ronnie Specter talk.

Magill grabbed me in the ballroom after Neil Innes performed to say that Nipper was in the hotel. I haven't seen Nipper in about two years and was great to see her again.

It was excellent to have met Asha and EasternBird two of Magill's friends here. Looking to a future fest is natural for me now. Who will be there and who to meet, is fun to speculate on.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m280/Blackguard101/IM000774.jpg
Victor Spinetti at NJ Fest 2009

[Lucy]

That sounds like it was great Blackguard! And what a cunning plan holding places in lines like that!

I have never been to any fests but will be going to my first this August! Chicago here I come woohooo!!!

[Asha]

I have never been to any fests but will be going to my first this August! Chicago here I come woohooo!!!

Chicago will be the big one this year! Hope many Linkers can make it! Sounds like we'll have a few!!!

I have no idea how many fests I've been to. 25-30 I think??? I've attended them in Los Angeles, Chicago & New Jersey (I can finally say that!) My trip to the NY area was for something completely different, & it just so happened I could meet up with BG, Magill & EB for a day at fest! Saw a few others who have sadly left Links, but I'm happy to report they were doing well!!! It was great to see them, too!

Tried to look for Es, but without her beehive, I couldn't find her! :blush4:

[Asha]

The solution came when Asha asked Magill and EasternBird to hold a place and line while she and I went off to meet Greg Hawkes from the Cars...

Hopefully I'll be able to educate you on many more stalking techniques over the years to come! :laugh5:

[oldbeatlechick]

i've been to four joisey fests. seeing old friends and meeting new ones is the best part. fending off drunks is always fun, too (right, obc?) so is singing (badly) at the lobby sing-along (right, eb?). oh, and green appletinis (right, magz?).

Last year was my first experience of Beatle Fest in New jersey with ik!

Oh yes forgot the drunks " Got some great booze in my room"!! Yeah right!!! :devious: :laugh5:

as far as the celebs in attendance, highlights were meeting billy preston, mark lewisohn and the quarrymen.

I was just pleased to meet the celebs that were there, loved meeting Paul Saltzman!

the absolute BEST part, however, is spending a day in manhattan when we're done festing.

Now that was a fab day even in the rain!! :devious: :laugh5:

I am looking forward to the Chicago Fest in August this year with the best group of Linkers ever! :teeth1:

[EasternBird]

I grew up a couple of miles from the NJ Fest site. My sister took me to a Fest once in the '80s - I don't remember the year, but Mike McCartney was a guest! I never went back to Fest until a few years ago, after I had joined Links and met up with some people there.

In the past couple of years I've had a great time hanging out with IK, OBC, Asha, Magill, BG and others at NJ Fest! Victor Spinetti was awesome this year - he hadn't been to NJ Fest in something like 15 years so it was great to see him there.

Can't wait for my first Chicago Fest this year! If you're looking for me, you'll probably find me at a sing-along. :teeth1:

[Georgie Girl]

Does anybody know what the promotional code is for the Hyatt and American Airlines? I can't find it on the fest site. :thinker:

[lennonluvr9]

Oh geez where do I start? This year's Chicago Fest will be #20 for me! Yay! 1988 was my first time when I was 2 1/2 years of age (We skipped 1995 for some reason...and believe me, I was very upset). There are so many memorable years there! Right at the top would be last year's, though, when I got to meet the amazing Neil Innes after years of wanting to see him (and missing him in 2001). It was totally Neil Fest for me and I loved it! 2003 had a great Battle of the Bands if I remember correctly. 2001 was the year I won the Beatles art Contest for the kids category (did all the Beatle album covers cartoon style). 2000 was the year Mitch Axelrod (wrote the Beatletoons book, really nice guy) came and I was able to watch Beatle cartoons at every free moment, cuz he had them going constantly at his table. 1998 I think was when the hotel was redoing the fountain area and everything was down the Grand Ballroom wing. That was also the first year my mom let me go off on my own and do my own thing, instead of following her around all the time. 1996 was the first year I was allowed to stay up all night, instead of being sent back to the room. So that was the first year I saw Liverpool. :smile1: I dont remember too much about the years before that except for 1994, when Victor Spinetti came (and wasnt that the first year Louise came too?).

[Asha]

Does anybody know what the promotional code is for the Hyatt and American Airlines? I can't find it on the fest site. :thinker:

I don't know. I call the Hyatt directly to make rezzies & tell them I'm there for fest. They add the discount right then & quote me the cost.

[jesgear]

I gotta make my reservations.

[mluque125]

I went to the one in New Jersey that just passed. If any of you did so too, tell me if you plan on going next year so if I see you I can say hi! I could only go one day due to money shortage (sigh) but it was AMAZING. I went on Sunday. The band Liverpool was the highlight of the evening...they did the Abbey Road medleys which are my absolute favorite (Abbey Road is my favorite album). I WAS SO HAPPY. But as soon as they started playing "A Day in the Life" I started crying...that song always gets to me. I miss you John!


But yeah, good times indeed!

[mluque125]

Oh and when I went to the NYC Concert with Paul and Ringo I sat next to Jessica and Michelle Lapidos! What are the odds! We were in the 1stMZZ, 5th row, and towards the right. Jessica told me heir parents were also there but had center seats in the 1stMZZ. They were great seats. The Lapidos sisters were really really nice and I went to the concert by myself so I enjoyed having someone to talk to and share that amazing night with! :D

[Asha]

I went to the one in New Jersey that just passed. If any of you did so too, tell me if you plan on going next year so if I see you I can say hi! I could only go one day due to money shortage (sigh) but it was AMAZING. I went on Sunday. The band Liverpool was the highlight of the evening...they did the Abbey Road medleys which are my absolute favorite (Abbey Road is my favorite album). I WAS SO HAPPY. But as soon as they started playing "A Day in the Life" I started crying...that song always gets to me. I miss you John!


But yeah, good times indeed!

Awww, I was there on Saturday! Darn! It would've been fun to say hi! :wave1:

[Asha]

Who's going to Chicago 09 in August???

[Lucy]

Me me me!!! YAY!!!!!

My first ever Beatles fest/convention of any kind wooohooo!

A mass Linker meet up must be planned!

[motherTheresa]

Who's going to Chicago 09 in August???

:wave1:


mememe she squealed!


i'll be searching for lynner & her chicken in a biskit crackers!

[Rellevart]

I'll be there with all of our posse. Yes. We have a posse. :wink1:

[darkhorse23]

Haven't been to the Chicago Fest in a few years. Hoping to make it in this year.

[beatlebangs1964]

Lucy, the Chicago Fest is the most fun fest venue. You'll meet some cool Linkers and the hotel is right on the Blue Line train. Getting around Chicago is not hard and it's a pretty cool city with some good baseball!

Batter up!

[darkhorse23]

Lucy, the Chicago Fest is the most fun fest venue. You'll meet some cool Linkers and the hotel is right on the Blue Line train. Getting around Chicago is not hard and it's a pretty cool city with some good baseball!

Batter up!

...and GREAT pizza!

[oldbeatlechick]

We are all looking forward to it then? :rolleyes: :laugh5:

[Georgie Girl]

Lucy, the Chicago Fest is the most fun fest venue. You'll meet some cool Linkers and the hotel is right on the Blue Line train. Getting around Chicago is not hard and it's a pretty cool city with some good baseball!

Batter up!

I hope you're coming too, BB!

I made my reservation yesterday! http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/MWest1964/Smilies/smileygo.gif

[Georgie Girl]

I'll be there with all of our posse. Yes. We have a posse. :wink1:A really badass posse! :devil7:


I want to hear the girls play! :guitar1:

[oldbeatlechick]

I hope you're coming too, BB!

I made my reservation yesterday! http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/MWest1964/Smilies/smileygo.gif

YAY!! That's fabulous GG! I am looking forward to seeing everyone there! :teeth1:

[Georgie Girl]

YAY!! That's fabulous GG! I am looking forward to seeing everyone there! :teeth1:Me too!
I'm so glad you and Lucy are coming across the pond! :laugh1:

[lennonluvr9]

Hey! We're gathering quite the little crowd here!

[Georgie Girl]

Hey! We're gathering quite the little crowd here!Pssst! *whispers* Decide what parts of JCS you want to sing, LL! :wink2: :laugh5:

[Asha]

:wave1:


mememe she squealed!


i'll be searching for lynner & her chicken in a biskit crackers!

HAHA! She always has them for you!!! I know! I've seen!!! :teeth1:

[Asha]

Rell does have a posse! I've seen it!

Shall we do the usual meet up, too, so everyone can say hi & then we'll know each other when we wander around? I'm up for it! :wave1:

[Georgie Girl]

Rell does have a posse! I've seen it!

Shall we do the usual meet up, too, so everyone can say hi & then we'll know each other when we wander around? I'm up for it! :wave1:
Especially if we all wore tshirts with the Beatlelinks logo--think we'd scare the other guests? :laugh5:

[jesgear]

I hope to make my reservations this weekend.

Another BLinker emailed me asking about the Fest, hoping to possibly attend. I won't mention who yet, because this person's plans aren't definite, but if able to attend, it'll be a nice treat for all the rest of us attendees.

[sourmilkpinky]

I hope to make my reservations this weekend.

Another BLinker emailed me asking about the Fest, hoping to possibly attend. I won't mention who yet, because this person's plans aren't definite, but if able to attend, it'll be a nice treat for all the rest of us attendees.

He won't go, Mikey hates everyone :laugh5:

[oldbeatlechick]

I hope to make my reservations this weekend.

Another BLinker emailed me asking about the Fest, hoping to possibly attend. I won't mention who yet, because this person's plans aren't definite, but if able to attend, it'll be a nice treat for all the rest of us attendees.

Wonder if it's the same person I know wants to come and I want to see again as it's been too long? :wink2:

[Asha]

I know a few that are thinking about it. I hope they don't think TOO long! Just do it!

[Georgie Girl]

I hope everybody can make it.

[Lynner]

:wave1:


mememe she squealed!


i'll be searching for lynner & her chicken in a biskit crackers!
And if you blow me off again, I'll have GG kick you!

[mluque125]

Awww, I was there on Saturday! Darn! It would've been fun to say hi! :wave1:

Next year! :teeth1:

[Dean]

If Jes is going, i'm there

[oldbeatlechick]

If Jes is going, i'm there

I think I recall you said that last year Dean, or maybe the year before! :rolleyes:

[Georgie Girl]

And if you blow me off again, I'll have GG kick you!
Damn straight! :devil7:


See, Lynn, you have to say it with a :devil7:

[Lucy]

I am getting v v v excited about this you know. WOHOOOO!

[lennonluvr9]

Pssst! *whispers* Decide what parts of JCS you want to sing, LL! :wink2: :laugh5:

LOL! Should I be greedy and ask for Judas' songs? After Pilate's they're my favs but I dont have the voice to do Pilate's. But it seems like everyone wants Judas' songs cuz they're that good. But here. I'll let someone have Damned For All Time if I can get Heaven on Their Minds. :laugh5: :wink3:

[Georgie Girl]

LOL! Should I be greedy and ask for Judas' songs? After Pilate's they're my favs but I dont have the voice to do Pilate's. But it seems like everyone wants Judas' songs cuz they're that good. But here. I'll let someone have Damned For All Time if I can get Heaven on Their Minds. :laugh5: :wink3:Ooh, I'll sing Damned for All Time!! :girl2:

I don't want your blood money! :music2:

[jesgear]

If Jes is going, i'm there

If Dean is going, I'm gonna ask GG the Kicker to be my bodyguard :afraid2:

[motherTheresa]

And if you blow me off again, I'll have GG kick you!

:nono4:


no way! i'm determined to go this year!

GG will just have to find somebody else to kick!

:wink3:

[motherTheresa]

I am getting v v v excited about this you know. WOHOOOO!


the british are coming, the british are coming!


:girl2:

[oldbeatlechick]

Looks like the number of linkers coming to fest is increasing all the time! :thumbu2: :teeth1:

I am really looking forward to it, can't wait to meet all the lovely linkers I haven't met yet and all those I have of course! :dance: :scream7:

[Lynner]

Looks like we'll have quite the crowd! Really looking forward to meeting up with everyone!

[Asha]

:nono4:

no way! i'm determined to go this year!




This just made my day!

[Georgie Girl]

If Dean is going, I'm gonna ask GG the Kicker to be my bodyguard :afraid2:For a small fee. :devious:

:nono4:


no way! i'm determined to go this year!

Yay!!!!!:clap2:

GG will just have to find somebody else to kick!

:wink3:

No, I'll kick you for missing 2007! :devil7: :laugh5:

[VersusBatman]

I envy those who can go to these things.

[Georgie Girl]

I envy those who can go to these things.I wish you could go, VB.

One thing I'm doing to save is putting aside money on gift cards
a little at a time, a Hyatt card and an American Airlines card.

One of these may be a good Mother's Day gift for you from your
hubby, just to get you started! :eyebrows: Even if you didn't
go to the Fest, you could save and travel somewhere. :thumbu1:

[mluque125]

I envy all of you who are meeting up, because I wish I could meet all of you beautiful people!

[jesgear]

For a small fee. :devious:

Mint Mojito Orbit costs only a small fee.

[motherTheresa]

This just made my day!



:lightbulb:


dirty harry????

[motherTheresa]

No, I'll kick you for missing 2007! :devil7: :laugh5:

:look:


well, i have a big enough target, you won't be able to miss it!

:laugh3:

[motherTheresa]

I wish you could go, VB.



i second that emotion!

[lennonluvr9]

Ooh, I'll sing Damned for All Time!! :girl2:

I don't want your blood money! :music2:


Haha! you got it. I could take Annas' parts even, if you want :wink3:

[PaulisMine]

The squee is strong in this thread. *nods sagely*

[Georgie Girl]

Haha! you got it. I could take Annas' parts even, if you want :wink3:

WHAT?! :devil7:

Isn't it enough that you're singing "Heaven on their Minds?" :cry3:

I would snag "I Don't Know How to Love Him," but it's too hard. :sad3:

I can manage Peter's denial song and all the townspeople's replies:
I am sure I saw you with him, you were right by his side,
and yet you deny.... :music2:

:teeth1:

[Georgie Girl]

The squee is strong in this thread. *nods sagely*:laugh5:

[oldbeatlechick]

YAY!! I ordered my tickets for Fest online last night! :scream7::scream7:

:skip1:

[lennonluvr9]

WHAT?! :devil7:

Isn't it enough that you're singing "Heaven on their Minds?" :cry3:

I would snag "I Don't Know How to Love Him," but it's too hard. :sad3:

I can manage Peter's denial song and all the townspeople's replies:
I am sure I saw you with him, you were right by his side,
and yet you deny.... :music2:

:teeth1:


ahhhhhh! okay okay okay! Dont hurt me! :wink3: I was just offering cuz i didnt know if you wanted everyone's parts or just Judas. I'm decent at King Herod's song too :devious:

[instant karla]

is everybody buying the 3-day deal?

is there anybody going the weekend before for lollapalooza who'd like to share a hotel? i don't snore... much.

[Rellevart]

Not really into Lolla, but if you're staying for the whole week, let me know and maybe we can do dinner sometime during the week.

[lennonluvr9]

Oooo now the countdown begins! We ordered our 3-day tix yesterday! I'm excited, especially since we seem to be having such a big group this year! Maybe it'll be easier to find out who's not from Beatlelinks :wink3:

[Lucy]

I think i will get the 2 day deal since on Friday i will be lagged up to the extreme! OBC and I are on the same flight from london (along with our menfolk) so i'll make sure she gets plenty of rest ready for the dance party heeheee!

[Asha]

I envy all of you who are meeting up, because I wish I could meet all of you beautiful people!

I wish you could join us, too! But I'm sure there will be another Linkers Fest!
We'll have to set another in the future so everyone can work towards it again! I think the reason this one is coming together so well is because we started talking about everyone going to this one about 18 months ago!

We will catch you at one!!! :teeth1:

[jesgear]

I do a lot of surveys online and get reward points for them. I collected so many over the years, I'm able to redeem them for airline miles; I should be able to fly in and back for free.

And I ordered my tickets last week :thumbu2:

[oldbeatlechick]

I do a lot of surveys online and get reward points for them. I collected so many over the years, I'm able to redeem them for airline miles; I should be able to fly in and back for free.

And I ordered my tickets last week :thumbu2:

YAY!! That's great Jes, free travel you lucky devil! :wink2:

[Georgie Girl]

I do a lot of surveys online and get reward points for them. I collected so many over the years, I'm able to redeem them for airline miles; I should be able to fly in and back for free.

And I ordered my tickets last week :thumbu2:
Man, I'm going to start doing that! You smarty, you!

I just now booked my flight and will be arriving early Thursday.
Anybody want to go see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses
in Oak Park with me? :eyebrows:

[mluque125]

I wish you could join us, too! But I'm sure there will be another Linkers Fest!
We'll have to set another in the future so everyone can work towards it again! I think the reason this one is coming together so well is because we started talking about everyone going to this one about 18 months ago!

We will catch you at one!!! :teeth1:

Yes, that will be so exciting! I can't wait and it's a year away! Haha :teeth1:

[PaulisMine]

My tix are for Sat. and Sun. But I'll be around.