March on Springfield Frequently Asked Questions

 

Especially handy is the Travel button, where you can find out about:
1) Parking
2) Buses with seats for sale
3) If you are doing a private bus, there are links to maps for drop off and parking
4) Train links
5) Housing/hotel info
6) The March Map

For buses we suggest arriving between 11 and noon and then departure 5 or 5:30 pm, because some political groups will be doing events and lobbying 3-5 p.m. Oct. 22. The bus drop is on Monroe and 2nd Streets, one block from the rally.

March Day, Tuesday, Oct. 22
Concert, rally and march starting point are all at 2nd and Capital streets.
You may want to bring a chair-in-a-bag if standing is an issue for you during rally and concert.

Schedule for the March
Noon-1 p.m.: Rock the March concert with LGBT singers and choral groups.
(Note some acts will be in the 1-2:30 p.m. timeslot)
Artemis Singers and Amasong
Windy City Performing Arts
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus
Steve Grand
Sami Grisafe
SONiA of disappear fear
De'Borah
Marcus Terell & the Serenades
Stephen Leonard
KOKUMO!
Sandra Antongiorgi
and MCs will be C.C. Carter and Honey West


1-2:30 p.m.: Speakers and singers
Speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including activists, religious leaders, families and more.


2:30-3:30 p.m.: March around the 4-block expanse of the capital, back to the 2nd and Capital starting point.
Joining us for the March will be:
Jammin for Justice EarthBeat Drummers
Lakeside Pride Freedom Marching Band


3:30-5 p.m.: LGBT political groups including Equality Illinois may have events inside the State Capital, including lobbying of your elected officials. So make sure to leave time to meet your state reps if you can. Also, bring a state-issued ID, and no signs allowed inside.


Sign language and disability issues
There will be a sign language interpreter.
There will be a roped-off area for wheelchairs, for those needing chairs and for the hearing impaired.


Food and Beverages
The March will not have food or beverages, but there are places nearby for food and drinks.
Come to the rally site at 2nd and Capital for maps and details.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. there will be free youth bus lunches available 1 block from the rally site.
RSVP for these to tracy@marchonspringfield.com so we know how many.

For adults and families, we have several places providing food.

Options open starting 11 a.m. include:

• Station House bar, with mama's Kitchen providing $5 lunch specials, 306 E Washington St, 217-525-0438
• Elixir bar, open 1 pm, 411 E. Washington, free hotdogs and chips until closing for rally participants;
  Donations collected for the March.
• Augie's Front Burner restaurant, 109 S. 5th Street (lunch specials all day), reservations 217-544-6979
• Maldaner's, 222 S. 6th Street (at Monroe), reservations 217-522-4313
• Boone's Saloon, 301 W Edwards at College St, specials $6.99-$9.99, 217-679-3752 (10% goes to the March)
• Café Moxo, 411 E Adams Quick Service Lunch 217-788-8084
• Tin Can Pub, bar only, at 225 E. Monroe St., 217-679-2018


Media
There will be a media riser for media, and hookups for broadcast needs.
For media signup, contact Kevin Boyer, kevinboyer63@gmail.com.


Bathrooms
There will be port-o-lets, including one which is wheelchair accessible.


Weather
The events will happen rain or shine, cold or hot, so come prepared with jackets and umbrellas.


What Color Should I Wear?
The March's color is dark purple, but feel free to wear what you want, or join in with your union, school or church colors/uniforms.


Signs
Please feel free to bring banners for your groups, and special signs for marriage. Note we will be walking on the sidewalks, so large banners may not work. Make sure your signs are weatherproof if possible. Also, signs are not allowed inside the capital.

We will also have about 2,000 signs for people to carry in the March.


Should we come down early/stay late?
There will be several advance events prior to the March on Springfield, Tuesday, Oct. 22.

If you can, we suggest you come down Monday, stay thru the Tuesday March, and then stay Wednesday for the legislative session. Or come even earlier for special events.

You can also visit the great tourist attractions of Springfield, especially Abraham Lincoln museums and more. See http://visit-springfieldillinois.com/ .

The area LGBT and allied groups have events including benefits, bar events, concerts, church services, AA groups and more.

We will be posting a full calendar of events, but here are some Events in Springfield:

Friday, Oct. 18
Phoenix Center of Springfield, 13th Annual Fall GAYla Dinner & Auction
http://www.phoenixcenterspringfield.org/phoenix-center-calendar/ .

Sunday, Oct. 20
Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 10:30 am service, 745 Woodside Rd., Springfield. "Unity and Diversity in the 21st Century" with special guest speaker, The Reverend Mark Kiyimba, minister and founder of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Uganda. He also operates a primary school for over 550 students, many of whom have been affected by HIV/AIDS, and a children's home for AIDS orphans near Masaka, Uganda.

First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois, Service 10:30 a.m. Special guest: Tricia Dykers-Koenig, the National Organizer for Covenant Network, plus members discuss what it has meant to them to be part of an inclusive congregation, 321 South 7th Street.

Monday, Oct 21
The Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL) for the Springfield area hosts a picnic with PFLAG of Springfield, open to all March attendees, 4-10 p.m., at Lincoln Park, along North 5th from Sangamon Avenue southward.

Scandals Bar, 1031 S. 11th Street, Springfield, 217-381-9514, hosts a concert with some of the March on Springfield musicians, to benefit CORAL and SARA (Springfield AIDS Resource Association), 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 22
Legacy Project, LGBT history markers, will have a traveling display of the markers both inside and outside the capitol building.

Rainbow Families event starting 9 a.m., FREE, at Illinois State Museum, 402 S. Spring St., Springfield. All day, including during the march, a place for families to take a break. Changing stations available, next to family-friendly mall for food. Play space for toddlers up to 10 years old, and for older kids, a search-interactive game with their families.

Equality Illinois "Refresh & Recharge" reception open to all at Station House gay bar, 4-6 p.m., $5 donation, 306 E. Washington St., Springfield.

Station House gay bar, 306 E. Washington St., Springfield, 217-525-0438 late evening, hosts a show featuring drag artists and more.

Open AA & 12 Step meeting in Springfield, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7-8 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church on 6th and Jackson.

 

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