The Chicago Sun-Times has an article on Buffett migrating his annual Chicago shows from Tinley Park to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Here are some excerpts:

After 17 seasons of basing his Chicago area shows at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park (and before that Poplar Creek), Buffett announced that on July 24 and 26 he’ll make his debut at Toyota Park, 71st and Harlem in Bridgeview. The southwest suburb is welcoming Buffett’s tailgating flock of Parrot Heads with open arms.

In Tinley Park, that wasn’t always the case. Hardcore tailgaters from Chicago migrate instead to Buffett’s shows at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis., where they’re as accepted as beer and cheese.

“What size shark hat should I wear?” wonders Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek. “We encourage tailgaters. We have 30 acres of parking on site. The lots are well lit. We’ll have plenty of security. We know the other event to a Buffett show is the pre-concert.”

General Manager Mark Thiessen says Toyota will make “every effort” to open early. He’s now reviewing village codes: “Our goal is to make this his permanent home for as long as he continues to tour.”

“I’m a big Buffett fan — now,” said Mayor Landek, 51. “I’m not an avid music buff, but I understand this is great business. We’re prepared. We had almost 30,000 people last summer for the Eric Clapton [Crossroads guitar festival] event and it went off without a hitch.”

Read the entire article here.

The presale for the Toyota Park shows has ended. Ticket sales will resume tomorrow for the general public, Monday, March 3rd at 10 am CST on Ticketmaster. Click here for the TicketMaster purchase link.

The SouthtownStar has an article on getting tickets for the two July concerts at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL:

Jimmy Buffett fans hoping to score premium tickets for either of the two July concerts the 61-year-old Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band are scheduled to perform at Toyota Park in Bridgeview don’t need to camp out Sunday night savoring cheeseburgers and sipping margaritas.

That’s because Toyota Park officials are using a lottery system Monday morning that will decide who gets first dibs at buying up to six tickets for Buffett’s shows July 24 and July 26.

Ticket prices are $36, $86 and $136. Gates at Toyota Park will open at 7:30 a.m. Monday, and those in attendance will begin receiving numbered wristbands about 8:30 a.m., according to Mark Nacpil, who works in the box office at the music and sports venue at 7300 W. 71st St.

One number will be selected at random. Subsequent numbers will follow in order.

Read the entire article here.

Keep in mind though, that the presale for tickets is still going on. You can buy tickets now through Sunday morning by clicking here. You will need the presale password, which you can find here. If you are unable to buy tickets during the presale, the general on sale begins at 10 am on Monday.

Tickets will go on sale today (Friday the 29th) at 10 am CST via presale through TicketMaster for the two July shows at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.

The presale will run through Sunday night. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public on Monday morning at 10 am CST.

Here are the links to purchase tickets:

• Thursday, July 24th show
• Saturday, July 26th show

You will need a password for this presale, you can find it here.

Ticket prices for both shows are $36.00 – $136.00.

Good luck!

LiveNation.com has confirmed three more tour dates for this year’s “Year Of Still Here Tour.”

• Sat., July 19th – Alpine Valley Music Theater – East Troy, WI
• Thurs., July 24th – Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL
• Sat., July 26th – Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL

Tickets go on sale Monday, March 3rd at 10 am CST.

View all tour dates currently scheduled here.

Hat tip to Dave for passing this along!