Category: CoCoFEST!

‘Twas the night before CoCoFEST, when all through the hall
The prez had just closed the room with “last call!”;
The computers were arranged on the tables with care,
In hopes that there would be some power to spare;

The faithful’d arrived via drive, ride, or flight,
Enjoying the chatting far into the night;
The emcee had long ago left for some sleep,
To get up early for a show time to keep.

We’ve projects aplenty, for attendees to view,
And relevant talks from voices both old and new.
There’s vendors in spades, with something to sell,
I may’ve snapped up bargains, I’ll never tell.

If you can’t come Friday, don’t you dare start to fret,
We’ve a complete second day, so time you have yet.
With double the fun, and double the talk,
I dare you to find a reason to balk.

The auction’s the highlight of our second day,
Jason’s back to drive up prices, in his special way.
The meal has been catered, if you paid for your share,
Then back to the hall and music jam if you dare.

Now, CoCo! now, MC-10! now, Dragon! and Alice!
Choose your favorite, but don’t harbor malice.
All are good friends with a passion to show,
We hope you’ll leave here much more in the know.

So, come to the fest, in person or on line,
Your presence alone will make the show shine,
But, take all your stuff, pack it out as you dash,
We’d hate to render precious items into the trash.

Have a great time, with friends new and old,
Try something new, go big and go bold.
Learn something new, go from not knowing to clear
Do this again, at about this time next year!

It’s hard to believe it’s almost here. Safe travels to those on the road or getting up earlier for a flight. Remember to cushion your CoCo, it’s not a fan of bumpy rides!

As we get ready to enjoy another show, here’s a reminder of the 2024 show:

I’m writing this as I pack up for the show, and I assume others are as well, especially if they have long drives. It’s 2025, the 45th anniversary of the birth of the CoCo (unless you count the proto CoCo units), and all the snow has melted, so it’s time for the fest.

With our expanded Friday/Saturday schedule this year, I’m excited about our schedule and having more time to exhibit, visit with friends, and hopefully catch a few more presentations (I’m always running around and so have trouble catching them live.) Where you are attending physically or virtually, I hope you enjoy the new format. As always, though, these things are experiments, so let us know how you get on with the 2025 show.

It’s not every year that a piece of history shows up at the fest, but 2024 saw Brian Wieseler and L. Curtis Boyle show off a working rare Color Computer Deluxe. Seeing a boot screen that gives TI 99/4A boot vibes is a bit unnerving, but it’s interesting to think of what might have been:

Like clockwork, another year brings another “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST! Just one month from today (May 2 and 3, 2025), we’ll all be congregating at the grand ballroom of the Carol Stream, IL Holiday Inn to kickoff the 33rd annual pilgrimage to the Chicago area. Just as in 2024, exhibits will occupy multiple spaces in the hotel, including the actual hallway. Though probably not as scary as his other hobby of stormchasing, CoCoFEST coordinator Grant Leighty is trying to cram all of the presentations into the 2 full day Friday/Saturday speaker schedule, which will soon be available at https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/.

Did you catch that? Yes, for the first time in 2025, the show is moving from a full Saturday and a partial Sunday show to a full day Friday and full day Saturday show. Sunday will now be reserved for teardown and cleanup. We know many folks travel from far off places every year, and this should provide more travel flexibility. We’re always looking for ways to make the show more enjoyable for you, so let us know your thoughts on this change and how else we could improve the show.

Contrary to rumors, the “Last” in quotes in the event name does not mean we’ve decided forgo holding a future one. But, it does take funds to put on a successful event. I want to thank in advance our vendors and exhibitors, who have purchased tables, as well as all of those folks who bid on the “No Minimum Bid Auction” items. All of those proceeds are earmarked to pay for the event space.

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.

You still have time, but a month goes by quickly. If you’ve not yet made plans, now is the time. And, if you’re presenting or exhibiting, time is running out! We hope to see you May 2 and 3 for the 33rd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST!

If you missed the live presentations at CoCoFest here are some links to them. Also take a moment to subscribe to the Glenside Color Computer Club YouTube channel. 

CoCoFEST! 2024 - Preserve your CoCo Legacy
https://www.youtube.com/live/mxkrWQA0-9A?si=v9-lgQrsvmVHuyAy

CoCoFEST! 2024 - NitrOS9 EOU Updates
https://www.youtube.com/live/JKWN6snrONc?si=wdOBOlUloVh4ePvd

CoCoFEST! 2024 - CoCo on the Couch
https://www.youtube.com/live/0aYljHW8_P8?si=VKbooHv8JyjskGra

CoCoFEST! 2024 - The CoCo Deluxe
https://www.youtube.com/live/WaQNlA4q2Yc?si=VZMOyVgGX125D_Kq

Thanks
Brian Wieseler

By the time you view this, the crew will be disassembling their exhibits and packing for departure. It was a fun fest, a number of folks stopped me and commented how much they enjoyed the event.

Of course, the fest weekend would not be complete without some of the staples. Though it happened before the official start, the hotel managed to catch fire (a bit of it, anyway) and what appeared to be every fire department vehicle from the greater metropolitan Chicago area arrived. The fire fighters hacked part of the building away to stop the fire, started by some birds building a nest in a light enclosure:

And, no fest would be complete without the Saturday Jam session:

I am told the venue staff came in and “pointedly” closed the room doors when the jam got going. No one complained to me, though, so we’ll call it OK.

Numbers are still in flux, but it appears 117+ folks visited the show (that’s probably a bit conservative, as it’s based on those who filled out the door prize registration at the door), and the auction raise almost $5K. Thanks again to our generous attendees.

Yes, Virginia, there will be a 33rd Annual Chicago CoCoFEST!

Though we won’t have a full business meeting this week, feel free to join our regular business meeting Zoom call this Thursday at 7:30PM, where I’ll share more fest statistics and we can discuss items of note and improvement suggestions.

CoCoFEST! Coordinator Grant says he’s going to bed now…