EVENT INFO
ILLINOIS STATE YO-YO CONTEST
Presented by Duncan Toys
WHEN
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 from 10AM - 4PM
The Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest starts at noon with the 1A-Freestyle Open (Prelims) division and culminates with the awards ceremony around 4PM. Check out the “SCHEDULE” page for complete details.
WHERE
The contest is taking place on the main stage at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG). CHITAG is on Nov. 9-10 at the Donald E. Stephen’s convention center in Rosemont, located at 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018.
CHITAG is North America's largest toy & game fair open to the public with experiential and immersive events, interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. While the contest is on Sunday of CHITAG, join us on Saturday, Nov. 9 for workshops and the Windy City Wind-Up pro contest.
ADMISSIONS
Grab your tickets now to CHITAG to hang out, watch and cheer on their favorite yo-yo players. Pre-sale ticket pricing is below and use this code for $2 off: POP2
$12/adult per day
$6/kid per day
Free for children under 3-years-old
Click here to purchase your tickets to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.
Lock in your spot to compete
Don’t miss out on your chance to compete at the Illinois State Yo-Yo Contests! All interested competitors must register online, prior to the event, for 1A Freestyle, X Freestyle, Sport Freestyle and Doc Lucky’s Duos.
MEET THE JUDGES
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Eric (@yoyoexperteric) started yo-yoing in 1999 at A2Z Science and Learning Store in Northampton, Massachusetts. Today, the U.S. National 1A Champion and multiple-time winner of the 1A division at the Massachusetts State Yo-Yo Contest is an ambassador, coach and mentor representing for @yoyoexpert, @yoyofactory and @yoyostringlab. He also helps teach yo-yo classes at A2Z and run their Yo-Yo Demonstration Team.
The past 1A podium finisher at the World Yo-Yo Contest is judging the X-Freestyle, Doc Lucky's Duos and Beginner's Luck Trick Contest at the 2024 Illinois Sate Yo-Yo Contest.
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John (@johndatoy) is a yo-yo maestro who’s not only a past World 4A Champion but also rocked America’s Got Talent’s Top 100!
Beyond his jaw-dropping yo-yo skills, John's a touring comedian whose acts are brilliantly intertwined with his yo-yo wizardry.
Catch him spinning laughter and wonder as he judges the 1A and X Freestyle divisions at the Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest.
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Jonathan, YoYoJoe (@yoyojoe_1) is a viral social media content creator who can proudly call the 2014 Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest the first yo-yo contest he has ever competed in! He was hooked and has since competed at the state, regional, national, and even world level for over a decade. At the most recent Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest (2019), YoYoJoe placed 3rd in the pro division, ranking him the top player in the state.
On social media, YoYoJoe has 700,000+ followers and over 30 million video views, across all platforms. On YouTube alone, he has also created more than 150 yo-yo reviews and over 100 yo-yo tutorials. YoYoJoe also teaches in-person and private yo-yo lessons to players of all skill levels.
Catch YoYoJoe in the judges' booth for the 1A-Freestyle division at the Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest.
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A yo-yo player for 25+ years, Dennis has ranked 4th in the U.S. in 2A, which is his favorite style to play and watch, and is a regular face at the judges' table at both National and World Yo-Yo Contests.
An organizer of the Michigan State Yo-Yo Contest (taking place Nov. 16, 2024 in Swartz Creek, just 15 minutes outside of Flint), Dennis lives in Michigan and set two Guinness World Records at the 2023 Michigan State Contest:
🪀 Most quarters knocked off an ear in a minute
🪀 Fastest to knock off 15 quarters
Get more information on the Michigan State contest at @michiganstateyoyocontest, and say hi to Dennis at the judges' table for the 1A-Freestyle, X-Freestyle and Doc Lucky's Duos divisions at the 2024 Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest.
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Philip Pacific (@philippacific_yoyo) is a multiple time state (Texas) and regional (South Central) champion as well as a recurring finalist at U.S. Nationals.
Outside of yo-yo, Philip spends much of his time on the soccer field, playing for the University of Dallas.
Catch him at the judges' table for the Sport Freestyle division at the 2024 Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest.
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A yo-yo player for 25+ years, Connor (@tricksyouforgot44) is multiple-time 2A U.S. National Champion. Word on the street is that you may have seen him on YoTricks.
He lives in Michigan and is currently a Business Intelligence Developer — he really loves data.
You can catch Connor judging the Sport Freestyle and Doc Lucky’s Duos divisions at the 2024 Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest, presented by Duncan Toys.
VENUE INFORMATION
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The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center conveniently located in Rosemont, IL -- five minutes from O’Hare International Airport and just 20 minutes from Chicago’s downtown area.
There are several hotels in the area; we have a block of rooms reserved through Oct. 12 at a discounted rate of $151/night at the by Hilton Hotel Chicago O'Hare Airport - Rosemont.
Lock in Your Room: Booking your room is simple, just click the link below and select "Book a Room" to receive our group's preferred rate.
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/chidtdt-yoy-54288ea9-1607-4073-b8e7-a0790b1714b5/
Hotel Address:
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Public parking is available in the William St. Garage and East Parking Garage.
Parking is $15.00* for 24 hours, no in & out privileges.
Click here to view of map showing where parking is located in relation to the convention center.
*Rate is subject to change
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Pick up & Drop off areas are located at the main circular drive entrance at 5555 North River Rd. Rosemont, IL 60018
Also, Rosemont's FREE Pace 811 bus starts at the Convention Center's main entrance and takes you around the circle of entertainment areas, including: Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District, and CTA Blue line station (Rosemont stop).
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The Chicago Toy & Game Fair will have a few food & beverage options on-site. There is also a Starbucks located in the lobby, before entering the fair.
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ATMs are available on-site. The lllinois State Yo-Yo Contest info./merch. table will be able to process credit cards and accept Apple Pay, Venmo, Paypal and Zelle payments. Be prepared with cash for other purchases from Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest vendors.
FAQs
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Yes, but the top ranking Illinois resident will be named the top Illinois State Yo-Yo Champion in their division.
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While you can compete in multiple divisions, you cannot combine a 1A or X Freestyle division with Sport Freestyle division. 1A and X Freestyle competitors can also not compete in the Beginner’s Luck Trick contest.
The registration fee for competing in both the 1A Freestyle Open and X-Freestyle Open Divisions is $60 for the combination.
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All competitors must register and check-in day-of at the event in order to compete. Each competitor will receive:
A 2024 Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest event yo-yo
One (1) complimentary one-day pass into the Chicago Toy & Game Fair
STAY IN THE LOOP
CONTACT
Have a question? Drop us your name, email address and a short message below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.