Last weekend I had my first exposure to the world of Doctor Who. My introduction came via a TARDIS, specifically Chicago TARDIS.
Founded in 2000 by Alien Entertainment, Chicago TARDIS is the Midwest’s largest Doctor Who event. Held every Thanksgiving weekend, it is all about Doctor Who, the world’s longest-running science fiction television show. Broadcast by the BBC since 1963, Doctor Who follows the adventures of a Time Lord who helps people as he travels the universe via the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space).
Like most such conventions, Chicago TARDIS featured meet-and-greets, panels, exhibits, vendors and more. While my friend Tony looked for collectibles and met a few of the actors, I was content soaking in the overall experience. I have been to hundreds of comic cons but none with a specific focus of one franchise. Tony and the other Whovians patiently answered my questions as I came across new bits of the Doctor Who universe. We also ran into a few friends, including Chris, a mutual fan of Athletes Unlimited softball.
The convention was extremely well-organized, with knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant staffers. Although thousands attended the event, it never felt crowded due to the spacious venue space of Westin Chicago Lombard. The beautiful hotel featured several ballrooms connected by wide concourses.
During the weekend, our meal spot was Harry Caray’s within the Westin. Named for the legendary baseball broadcaster, Harry Caray’s has several locations around the Chicago area. My favorite dish is the turkey burger. Topped with sautéed mushrooms and served on a brioche bun, it is big with layers of flavors.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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