Prestige Trailers, an original and long time sponsor of Chicago Loop Cruise, has recently announced a fantastic new feature for owners of 2009 model year trailers and newer. In the words of Byron Wink, as posted on crowniehq.net:

Prestige Trailers, Inc., is proud to announce the offering of a new and innovative program.

"Prestige 2009 Renewal Program"

With purchase of an "09" Prestige built trailer, consumers will be offered the opportunity to participate in Prestige's "Renewal Program". This is a contractual agreement between the new trailer owner and Prestige Trailers, Inc.; stipulating that at the time of purchase, for an investment of $300.00 on a single axle, $400.00 on a tandem , and $500.00 for a triple axle, Prestige Trailers, Inc., will, between the 60th and 72nd month of ownership, completely refurbish the owners' trailer.

This includes, but is not limited to, sandblasting, repainting, installing new graphics, new carpeted components, and new tires. When we say not limited to: we mean that if any other component shows excessive signs of wear, we will replace it as well, at no charge.

If the owner has sustained any damage to the trailer, then they could take this opportunity to have same repaired, for a nominal charge. Rest assured that the cost will be extremely fair.

Since it is the owners' responsibility to bring the trailer to one of our facilities, we realize that distance can be a factor. If the owner so desires, we will ship to them, within that same time period, new tires in lieu of a complete refurbish. Do the math on that, at current costs, to appreciate this offer.

Prior to the 60th month, for a fee, the contract is transferable to subsequent owners, allowing them to take advantage of the remaining time period.

Absolutely smokin hot deal for new Prestige buyers! If your dealer isn't carrying Prestige Trailers, be sure to mention this great new program they could be able to offer their customers!! If you have an older Prestige, refurbishing packages are still available, but at a higher initial cost.

We are running the 2008 Chicago Loop Cruise THIS WEEKEND, but likely using our contingency plan of Sunday.

However, I'm still thinking of personally arriving at the hotel, as scheduled, on Friday, provided others are willing to do the same. I figure we can have a great party Friday night, and maybe Saturday will not be a complete washout, and folks might want to dip their boats for a short run if the weather breaks Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, we can connect again Saturday afternoon at the hotel & bar, have another great evening together, then run the event Sunday. Out of town folks might want to park their boats, and drive into Chicago for some sightseeing.

There is also a possibility that if Saturday REALLY stinks, I can get a meeting room setup, and process registrations for anyone who has already arrived, thereby speeding up the process for Sunday. This is a decision I will not make until Tomorrow night though.

THIS IS CRITICAL: If you have a reservation for Friday night, and wish to cancel it, you MUST call the hotel by 4:00pm FRIDAY (day of arrival) or your credit card will be charged.

I will try to get an email together shortly with more information, but wanted this notice public as soon as possible. Please spread the word any way you can to other attendees. Since you can leave comments on this message, please feel free to let me know what your plans are for Friday. I don't want to get there and discover I am the only one!!!

I have received a number of emails expressing concern about the weather for this coming Saturday. Trust me - I share those concerns. If there is any one thing I absolutely hate, it is being unable to control mother nature!

I'm hoping the approaching weather system moves through faster than expected so we can run this event Saturday as planned. However, there remains the possibility that we will not run it until Sunday.

Another possibility will be to arrive at the hotel, as planned on Friday. Go through registration Saturday morning, either at the ramp, or at the hotel, and run it if all looks good (rain chance currently at 40%).... if not, have a great time back at the hotel pool/restaurant/bar, and return on Sunday to actually run the cruise.

Bottom line: Decision will be made tomorrow afternoon, at which time I will have more faith in the forecast.

Registration for the 2008 Chicago Loop Cruise is CLOSED. While some of the registration links might remain active for awhile, please do NOT attempt to register for the event. I apologize for any inconvenience, but we need to move forward and I simply do not have the spare time to deal with new registrations.

If you are unable to attend this year, again please accept my aplogies. I do, however, encourage you to keep tabs on this site and join us next year, provided there is, in fact a 2009 Chicago Loop Cruise!

Just a reminder that registration for the 2008 Chicago Loop Cruise will be closed effective Monday, April 7th, 2008 5:00pm CDT. That's coming up really fast!!! The hotel discount at the Alsip Double Tree will likewise expire on Monday, so get those hotel rooms booked ASAP if you have not already done so.

The attendee page is now being updated as quickly as I can. It's still a lot of work to process all this information, so please understand if it takes me awhile to post new registrations. If you have not submitted BOTH a registration form AND the "goodie order" process via paypal, you are not fully registered for the event, and your information is not shown on the attendee page. Please be sure to submit both.

We are in our final 2 week countdown until the 2008 Chicago Loop Cruise! Keep your fingers crossed for fair weather, but remember HeaterCraft has a great deal on heater systems for all Chicago Loop Cruise participants!!!

Registration for the 2008 CLC is now open, but will only be available for one week. No registrations will be accepted beyond Monday, April 7. 2008.

Rather than go through a registration process, followed by a cumbersome "goodie order" process, I have decided to combine the two. This year, you will complete the registration details form, then you will be directed to the goodie page. From that goodie page, you will be able to get the registration package, as well as additional goodies.

Please note that the registration package is a requirement this year as I simply cannot maintain info for all participants, and a near identical block of data for those ordering goodies

More information will be presented to you on the registration page. The most important, however, is that registration will only be open for ONE WEEK!!!! Registration will be closed as of 5pm next Monday, April 7. 2008.

Let's Get Looped!!!!!

Announcing the Eigth Annual Chicago Loop Cruise!

Plans for this event are developing on a rapid, and somewhat delayed, basis. Please visit this website often for the most recent news regarding the event! You are also encouraged to comment on this post or any other that appears on this page!!!

Due to scheduling conflicts, we need to run this event one week earlier than usual. The 2008 Chicago Loop Cruise will occur the weekend of April 19th (pre-party Friday April 18th, event Saturday April 19th).

I wanted to get the information out as soon as possible, but many pages of this site still require updates. Information regarding hotels is already current, so please book your hotel rooms immediately!

DO NOT TRY TO REGISTER YET!!!! Registration procedures are still being finalized. I will post a message when registration is open. Any registrations submitted before the official registration process is open will be ignored. Bare with me people!!!

The Chicago Loop Cruise is only successful because of the people who attend, and the generous support of our sponsors. It has been my privilege to enjoy the company of so many I now consider to be great friends due to this event, and others like it. I look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Chicago Loop Cruise!!

= Don =
"Optional Necessity" - Crownline 266 CCR

Thanks for all the emails, comments and general messages of support for a 2008 CLC. I know you guys are excited about the event. The enthusiasm and appreciation for this event continues to be the the #1 reason I pour my life and soul into this thing year after year!!!

I am trying to wrap up some details for a 2008 CLC. I need to streamline and simplify this event as much as I can - at least for this year.

I will be updating various aspects of this site over the coming days while also attending to details. If I can bring everything under a degree of control I think I can handle for this year (given other "life" issues going on) - there WILL BE a 2008 CLC. Please do not try to register for the event until I announce that registration is open. Do not even depend on other factual matters of this site to be accurate until I have had the opportunity to update everything!!!

So, stay tuned!!!

PS - I noticed the video slideshows were not working. THEY HAVE BEEN RESTORED!!!! Enjoy the 2003 & 2004 shows! I never found the time to create shows for the event since, but maybe one day I will!

I'm getting a lot of emails the past few weeks from some excited people who, like me, are bored to death waiting out winter and looking forward to spring. There is much to consider and investigate, as there always is. All I can say for now is: