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The two of us<\/strong> get in a drive my car<\/strong> to the Hyatt Regency O\u2019Hare in Rosemont Illinois. This was yet again, the home for the iconic rock and roll music<\/strong> festival. Located just outside of Chicago, this event draws in guest from around the world. It was started by one man, New Jersey based, Mark Lapidos. Lapidos, a life long Beatlemaniac, decided to create this amazing event in honor of the boy\u2019s<\/strong> first coming to America. In 1974 for the 10th<\/sup> anniversary of the event, he created Beatlefest in Manhattan for all the other Beatle fans looking for something just like this, a fun place to come together<\/strong> and share Beatle memories. I can dig it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It all started when Lapidos met with the Walrus himself, John Lennon in New York City where they talked about the idea. Lennon responded with, I\u2019m all for it! I\u2019m a Beatle fan too!\u201d. That was the fuel needed to get it going. Later than year, the first Fest took place. And it took off from there where all four Beatles blessed it and even donated instruments to it for a charity auction. Rolling Stone even ran the story as a front page cover. 39 years later, it still continues and now includes Chicago and New York.<\/p>\n The Fest for the Beatles is a family affair. Something<\/strong> not only Mark Lapidos still very much large and in charge, but so are his beautiful wife Carol and lovely daughter Jessica\u00a0to help, carry that weight<\/strong> and bring the fans together to keep things running smoothly. We met Michelle at check in. She gave us the ropes, told us the back story and what was taking place. She\u2019s been apart of this fest all her life. She explained that her mom and dad have been doing this longer than she\u2019s been alive. She\u2019s an aspiring fashion designer with clothing that could easily be from the 60\u2019s counter culture era. \u00a0For that, thank you girl<\/strong>!<\/p>\n This year\u2019s main stage events we\u2019re MC\u2019d by Chicago DJ, Terri Hemmert and included celebrity guests from across the universe<\/strong> including; George Harrison\u2019s sister, Louise Harrison (who we interviewed, see feature video), Terry Sylvester of the Holly\u2019s, TV personality Bob Eubanks, Mark Rivera Ringo\u2019s music director, Billy Kinsley from the Merseybeats, the world\u2019s finest Beatle tribute band, Liverpool, former President of Apple Records Jack Oliver, Musician\/artist Mark Hudson, Rob Shanahan Ringo\u2019s photographer, poetry jam with Deco, The Weekends performing lost Beatle tracks live and many other artists, musicians, writers and historians on the long, long, long<\/strong> list of guests throughout the weekend. The place really filled up mid day but the night before<\/strong> was even more packed with fans.<\/p>\n (For video of Terry Sylvester performing live, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n But that\u2019s not all that\u2019s happening here. The halls were filled with breakout rooms and ballrooms scattered from end to end each one like a glass onion<\/strong> peeling a layer off revealing a surprise behind each door. There were videos playing vintage concerts and events, pop up art galleries with fan submissions, Beatles museum and actual Beatles artwork. Unique and rare pieces created by John, Paul, George and Ringo that included paintings, photographs and mixed media.<\/p>\n Beatles for sale<\/strong>! If you\u2019re looking for something Beatles related to take home, look no further. If you can\u2019t find it here, it probably doesn\u2019t exist, or at least, isn\u2019t for sale anywhere. Dealers from all over the country set up in the marketplace selling everything from rare records (which we saw one for $10,000) to original concert tickets. I bought a Beatle\u2019s ticket from the first booth I came across. I should have known better<\/strong> to do that though as I found it cheaper down the long and winding road<\/strong> of vendor booths. The Beatles had so much marketed merchandise, your head will spin seeing these collections. They have vintage and new with collectable items like miniature dolls, 45 carrying cases, lunchboxes, t-shirts, buttons and so much more. It would take you a day alone just to go through all the great stuff. They really should consider making this an eight days a week<\/strong> fest. The Fest shop was loaded with new Beatles fan fare like games, books, posters, clothing, dishes and more. When I get home<\/strong>, I can\u2019t wait to put up and display all the cool things I bought.<\/p>\n But Wait,<\/strong> there\u2019s more. They also had a 60\u2019s themed dance party where you could twist and shout<\/strong> the night away, or put on your best Beatle boots and mop top wig and join the look a like contest, try reaching the same shrill notes as John and Paul and sign in the Beatles karaoke room and even view personal photos and memorabilia of the band. Yesterday<\/strong> was a puppet show, Beatles trivia contest, battle of the bands and a tribute group that played the entire 1965 Shea Stadium concert.<\/p>\n The vibe of the event was joyous. Everyone in attendance was ecstatic to be there. People of all age came out. Singing, dancing and spontaneous jam sessions took place in the great halls. Some of which lasted all night long<\/strong>. Yep, here comes the sun<\/strong> on yet another day at the fest. Art stations set up for guest to create and sign. You could hear Beatles music playing everywhere from the live concerts in the halls to a small room with a cd playing in the corner. Door prizes and give-a-ways every day as well that included a Vegas \u201cLove\u201d trip. In the end, <\/strong>you won\u2019t find a greater Beatle festival than this. It\u2019s sad to say good night<\/strong> to this until next year.<\/p>\n Peace and love a definite reoccurring theme throughout, you couldn\u2019t help but feel welcomed with the company of new friends singing along with All You Need Is Love<\/strong>. If you\u2019re a Beatles fan, you need to attend one of these events. You won\u2019t be disappointed. It\u2019s the best place to be all together<\/strong> now<\/strong> with other Beatle fanatics! So we say, let it be<\/strong> Lapidos family. We had a great time and looking to get back<\/strong> for another 40! I know I\u2019ll be back<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For more info on The Fest for the Beatles, click here<\/a>. You know my name, know look up the number.<\/strong><\/p>\n I got a feeling<\/strong> you\u2019re going to want to see more. So, for a bigger variety pictures from the fest, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Fest](\"https:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fest-for-the-Beatle-Fans-08-16-15-16-300x225.jpg\")
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