Y2K

🌐 The World of 1999

Before the countdown, guests are fully immersed in the world leading up to Y2K — a mix of excitement, confusion, and techno-futurist optimism. This atmosphere guides the visuals, décor, and tone of the event.

Purpose, Theme, and Success Criteria

Purpose: Raise funds for Child’s Play by staging an immersive late-90s party that culminates in a theatrical midnight “Y2K power failure.”

Theme: What we were all doing on 12/31/1999 — N64 on CRTs, TRL-era music, Lisa Frank, slap bracelets, Surge/Mountain Dew, Totino’s Pizza Rolls, countdowns on TV. At 11:58 PM, a pre-recorded “breaking news” bulletin warns of a grid collapse. At 12:00 AM, the master breaker is thrown and the event ends in a controlled blackout.

Success Criteria:

Hit fundraising target (cash + in-kind) and finish in the black.
95% uptime on consoles/arcades; 0 safety incidents.
Blackout sequence executed flawlessly (emergency lights active, safe egress, positive guest sentiment).

Trivia

🌍 World & News

The world prepared for the Y2K bug.
Bill Clinton was acquitted in his impeachment trial.
Vladimir Putin rose to power in Russia.
Columbine High School shooting shocked the U.S.
John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash.
Napster launched, changing music forever.
Lance Armstrong won his first Tour de France.
The Panama Canal was handed back to Panama by the U.S.
Pokémon mania swept the globe.
The Dow Jones hit 10,000 for the first time.
West Nile Virus appeared in the U.S. for the first time.
SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon.
The Matrix was released, redefining sci-fi cinema.

💾 Tech & Internet

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, and Yahoo! Messenger connected early adopters.
Dial-up modems screeched their way online.
Google was barely a year old.
MySpace didn’t exist — but LiveJournal did.
Windows 98 SE ran nearly every home PC.
USB flash drives were new and rare.
CD burners let everyone make mix CDs for friends.
Nokia 3210 with Snake was peak mobile tech.
GeoCities, Angelfire, and Yahoo! dominated the web.
eBay and floppy disks coexisted.

📺 TV & Media

“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” debuted.
Friends, Frasier, and ER dominated primetime.
The Sopranos changed television.
Buffy and Angel defined late-night teen drama.
TRL (Total Request Live) ruled MTV culture.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut shocked parents.
Jerry Springer thrived in chaos.
WWF vs. WCW was peak wrestling.
Family Guy premiered.

🎶 Music

Britney Spears dropped “…Baby One More Time.”
NSYNC and Backstreet Boys ruled the radio.
Eminem’s “My Name Is” shocked suburbia.
Blink-182’s Enema of the State redefined pop-punk.
Ricky Martin made everyone “Livin’ la Vida Loca.”
Cher’s “Believe” introduced Auto-Tune.
Santana and Rob Thomas made “Smooth” inescapable.
Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park led the nu-metal wave.

🎮 Gaming

PlayStation dominated living rooms.
Dreamcast launched in Japan.
Nintendo 64 had Smash Bros., Donkey Kong 64, GoldenEye.
PC gamers played Half-Life, Unreal Tournament, System Shock 2.
Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow ruled Game Boy.
EverQuest pioneered online RPGs.
Counter-Strike became an underground hit.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater made everyone a skater.
RollerCoaster Tycoon and StarCraft filled LAN parties.

🎬 Movies

Fight Club made audiences question reality.
The Sixth Sense shocked the world.
Star Wars: Episode I broke box office records.
American Beauty won Best Picture.
The Blair Witch Project went viral before social media.
Office Space nailed cubicle life.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me owned the summer.
The Mummy made Brendan Fraser a hero.

👖 Fashion & Lifestyle

JNCO jeans and platform shoes.
Frosted tips and butterfly clips.
Abercrombie, Tommy Hilfiger, and cargo pants.
Mood rings, puka shells, slap bracelets.
Clear phones, chrome finishes, and futuristic “Y2K” styling.
Rollerblading, skateboarding, and suburban mall culture.

💿 Culture & Trends

Everyone feared midnight 12/31/1999 would crash civilization.
People hoarded bottled water and canned goods.
Blockbuster was still king.
Beepers and pagers were normal.
Furbies, Tamagotchis, and Giga Pets haunted classrooms.
Laser pointers and Beanie Babies everywhere.
“The Rachel” haircut survived into a new decade.

💬 Slang & Everyday Life

“Talk to the hand.”
“As if!”
“Wassup!”
“All that and a bag of chips.”
“You got mail!”
“It’s all good.”
“Peace out.”

1) Venue & Approvals

https://giggster.com/search/Chicago–IL–USA/party

Key Spaces:

Entry/Registration & Sponsor Wall
Console Free-Play Pods (lounge style)
Feature Tournament Zone
Arcade Row
Food & Drink (concessions)
DJ/AV Booth + Projection
“Newsroom” Projector Zone for Y2K broadcast
Back-of-house: Staging, storage, staff break

Action Steps:

Leasing/License: Contact owner/lender for short-term license, hours, load-in, signage, insurance.
Walkthrough: Measure power (circuits, panels), elevator/dock access, egress routes, emergency lighting controls.
Approvals: Obtain building sign-off on intentional blackout sequence; coordinate with fire marshal as requested.
Insurance: COI naming owner/manager; vendor COIs; host liquor coverage if applicable.
Permits: BACP special event/indoor amusement if required; temporary food; special event liquor (if served).
Life Safety: Confirm emergency lights remain active during the breaker pull; post signage informing guests that lights will go out at midnight as part of the show; ADA compliance.

2) Experience Design & Décor

Look/Feel: Suburban 90s basement × computer lab.
Décor: Lava lamps, bean bags, mushroom chairs, recliners, shag/throw rugs, neon rope lights, VHS stacks, floppy disks, CRT scanline projections, Windows 98 desktop loops.
Props/Handouts: Slap bracelets, Lisa Frank stickers, AOL CDs, “Y2K Compliant” stickers on gear, paper “Tech Support Tickets.”

3) Equipment & Vendors

Consoles (N64 focus): GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64, Super Smash Bros., Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Perfect Dark, Wave Race 64.

Primary Partner (turnkey): I Play Games! (Kevin Fair) — CRTs or lag-free displays, N64s, carts, controllers, spares, staffing.
Arcade Vendors (row): Chicago Arcade Rentals, Castle Party Rentals, ArcadeRentals.com, Chicago Sports Games.
Backup/National: Fully Loaded Electronics, New Retro Entertainment, VGNY Events.
Furniture: Arcana Vintage Rentals, Anew Vintage Rentals, South Loop Loft, Bowery & Bash, AFR, CORT (fallback).

Counts & Redundancy:

Consoles: 24 live + 4–6 spares.
CRTs/Displays: 24 + 2 spares (test for lag if flats).
Controllers: 2.5× headcount for N64 (mix of OEM + quality replicas).
Cabling/PSUs: 25% buffer.
Arcades: 10–12 units (mix of fighters, party, drivers; confirm power draw per unit).

4) Contacts

TBD

5) Floor Plan (Checklist)

Zones & Flow:

36″ minimum aisles; clear exit routes; food away from consoles; sound zoning to keep “newsroom” audible at 11:58.
Cable ramps on all crossings; taped gaff lines; rugs secured.

Suggested Layout:

Front: Registration → Sponsor Wall → Merch/Donation kiosk.
Left: Arcade Row on dedicated circuits.
Center: Four Console Pods (each = 6 stations) with lounge seating.
Right: Tournament Feature Stage + Audience seats.
Rear: Food/Drink counters + bussed high-tops.
Projection Walls: One constant “MTV/TRL” loop; one “Newsroom” screen reserved for 11:58 PM bulletin.

6) Power & Circuiting Worksheet (Pre-Build)

Assumptions:

CRT+N64 station ≈ 1.5–2.0 A
Arcade cabinets avg 3–5 A; outliers up to 8 A
Audio/Projection ≈ 15–20 A
Food warmers/coolers ≈ 10–15 A
Target Buffer: ≥20% per circuit

Planning:

Console Pod (6 stations): 12 A typical → place on two 20 A circuits.
Arcade Row (10 units): Group by draw; no more than 3–4 per 20 A; isolate any 8 A machines.
AV & Lighting: Dedicated 20 A.
Food: Dedicated 20 A.
Label circuits at distro; run checklist before doors.

7) The Y2K Countdown & Blackout (Show Control)

11:45 PM: DJ fades to low; house lights dim slightly.
11:50 PM: Host sets stage; announces “news bulletin at 11:58 PM.”
11:58 PM: Pre-rendered “Breaking News” video rolls on all projectors (except emergency lights). Audio to full.
11:59:40 PM: Crowd countdown appears on-screen; host leads final 20 seconds.
12:00:00 AM: Stage Manager radios “GO”; Electrician flips master breaker (pre-approved scope) excluding emergency egress.
+00:30 sec: Host on battery megaphone thanks attendees; staff activate lanterns; ushers guide exits.
+05:00 min: Emergency lights only; doors remain staffed; no re-entry.

Safety Controls:

Emergency lighting on separate, protected circuit; tested.
Battery megaphone + flashlights/lanterns staged.
Ushers pre-posted at exits before midnight.
Printed notice at entry: “Lights will go out at midnight as part of the show.”

8) Scripts & Templates

Below are copy‑paste‑ready scripts you can send today. Edit bracketed fields before sending.

8.1 Venue Outreach (Email)

Subject: MindAttic Cares — Short‑Term License & Midnight Blackout Approval (Y2K @ TBD) Hello [Name],

I’m [Name] with MindAttic Cares (501c3). We’re planning a one‑night charity event themed around New Year’s Eve 1999. The experience culminates at midnight with a brief, controlled power shutdown (emergency lighting remains active) to simulate the Y2K moment. We’re targeting [venue / former Best Buy space] for its visibility and load‑in.

Could we schedule a walkthrough and discuss a short‑term license, insurance/COIs, and approvals for the planned midnight blackout? I’ll provide show control, life‑safety notes, and staffing plans.

8.2 IPG (Call Script)

Hi Kevin, this is [Name] from MindAttic Cares. We’re producing a Y2K party with 24 live N64 stations plus spares and a mini‑tournament zone. Can we scope inventory (CRTs or low‑lag flats), carts, controllers, power needs, and staffing for [date]? We’ll feature IPG branding throughout and need quick‑swap tech support during show, plus load‑in/strike windows.

8.3 Arcade Vendor (Email)

Subject: One‑Night Arcade Row (Y2K @ TBD) — Availability & Power Specs Hello [Vendor],

We’re curating a 10–12 unit arcade row for a one‑night charity event at [venue]. Desired titles: NBA Jam, Street Fighter II, Neo Geo w/ Metal Slug, Hydro Thunder, Simpsons, TMNT, Golden Tee ’99. Please confirm availability, per‑unit power, delivery window, COI, and on‑call tech. We’ll provide a placement diagram and credit signage.

8.4 Furniture (Call Script)

Hi, [Name] with MindAttic Cares. Seeking vintage/distressed lounge seating for a 90s basement vibe — bean bags, mushroom chairs, recliners, throw rugs. Could you share photos of “imperfect/warehouse” items and deliver/pick up same day at [venue]?

8.5 Catering (Email)

Subject: Nostalgic Snack Service — Totino’s, Doritos, Dew (Y2K @ TBD) Hello [Caterer],

Concessions for one night: Totino’s Pizza Rolls (warmers), pizzas, packaged snacks, canned beverages. Please advise on temporary food license steps and provide staffed vs. drop‑off quotes for [headcount], plus power needs for warmers/coolers.

8.6 Sponsor Prospectus (One‑Paragraph)

Support Y2K @ TBD, a single‑night, 90s nostalgia fundraiser ending with a theatrical midnight blackout. Your brand appears on entry wall, stage loop, “news bulletin” credits, station placards, and all digital promos. All proceeds benefit Child’s Play. Packages from $1,000 to $5,000; custom integrations available.

8.7 Press Note (Email)

Subject: One‑Night Y2K Party Ends at Midnight — For Charity Hi [Editor],

MindAttic Cares is hosting a one‑night, late‑90s party culminating in a dramatic midnight lights‑out to simulate Y2K. CRT gaming, arcade row, TRL playlist, and a countdown “news bulletin.” Proceeds support Child’s Play. Media passes available.

—

9) Staffing & Roles

Define owners, backups, and radio channels.

Role	Core Duties	Headcount	Shift
Event Lead	Command, approvals, call show	1	Open–Close
Ops Manager	Load‑in/out, docks, power distro	1	Open–Close
Tech Captain (Consoles)	Station build, QA, swaps	1 + 3 techs	Open–Close
Arcade Lead	Cabinet placement, vendor liaison	1	Open–Close
AV Director	Projectors, DJ feed, bulletin roll	1	Open–Close
Stage Manager	Cue stack 23:45–00:05	1	20:00–00:30
Electrician (Approved)	Breaker throw, safety	1	23:30–00:15
Safety Officer	Egress, incident log	1	Open–Close
Registration Lead	Check‑in, capacity count	1 + 3	Doors–21:00
Food Lead	Vendors, permits, allergen signs	1	Open–Close
Ushers	Aisles/exits, midnight posts	6	21:30–00:15
Runners	Parts, signage, cables	2	Open–Close

Radios: Event Lead, Ops, Tech Cap, Arcade Lead, AV, Stage, Safety, Electrician. Spare batteries at Ops.

Volunteer Brief (Highlights):

Keep aisles/exits clear; report spills immediately.
Be ready for countdown posts by 23:45.
After blackout, use lanterns; no phone flash to guests’ eyes.

10) Master Timeline & Critical Path

ED = Event Day. Adjust if permits/venue require longer lead.

ED‑12 to ED‑10 Weeks

Lock date window, budget, capacity, pricing.
Venue outreach; request walkthrough & short‑term license.
IPG availability check; arcade vendor holds; furniture inquiries.
Draft sponsor one‑sheet; build target list.

ED‑9 to ED‑7 Weeks

Venue tour; power/elevator/dock notes.
Request license/term sheet; begin permits (BACP special event/indoor amusement), temp food; explore liquor options if needed.
Reserve AV/DJ; shortlist furniture.

ED‑6 to ED‑4 Weeks

Sign venue; submit COIs and permit apps.
Confirm console counts and staffing with IPG; order spares.
Place arcade order; finalize floor/power plan.
Launch ticketing & marketing.

ED‑3 to ED‑2 Weeks

Volunteer roster; shift schedule.
Print signage; finalize “Breaking News” video.
Tech rehearsal for countdown + breaker procedure.
Lock food/coolers/warmers; confirm delivery windows.

Event Week (ED‑5 to ED‑1)

Reconfirm docks, security, elevator reservations.
Label gear; pack kits; safety walkthrough.
Cue‑to‑cue rehearsal; finalize radio call sheet.

11) Event‑Day Run of Show

07:00 Building access, radios, safety brief.
07:30 Furniture in; rugs taped; cable ramps placed.
09:00 Arcade row delivered; power test by unit.
10:30 Console pods built; label stations; burn‑in tests.
13:00 AV/projectors; TRL loop; bulletin test (muted).
15:00 All‑hands; permit postings; door signage.
16:30 VIP doors.
17:00 GA doors; background playlist.
18:30 Mario Kart heats.
20:00 GoldenEye friendly bracket.
21:30 Trivia + costume awards.
22:30 Free play; midnight plan reminder.
23:45 Lights dim; ushers to posts.
23:50 Host preamble; AV on standby.
23:58 “Breaking News” video.
23:59 On‑screen countdown.
00:00 Breaker throw (egress lights remain).
00:30 Megaphone farewell; guide exits.
01:30 Final sweep; load‑out.

12) Compliance & Risk Management

Licensing & Permits

Public Place of Amusement / Indoor Special Event: Engage BACP if ticketed public entertainment.
Temporary Food: Single‑event food license if warming/serving. No home‑prepared foods.
Alcohol (if any): Special Event Retailer’s license or partner with licensed caterer; display license onsite.

Insurance

GL 1M/2M; additional insureds (owner/manager). Host liquor if applicable. Vendor COIs on file.

Life Safety

Pre‑approved blackout plan with building; electrician of record.
Emergency lights verified on independent circuit/battery.
ADA aisles 36″ minimum; exits marked & unobstructed.

Operations

Radio check hourly.
Incident log at Safety desk; first‑aid kit; water station for staff.
Crowd count at registration; hold if capacity reached.

Minors Policy

Under 16 with guardian; clear wristband color coding if alcohol present.

13) Budget & Sponsorship

Typical Cost Buckets (ranges vary):

Venue license & security: $3k–$12k
Insurance & permits: $600–$3k
IPG consoles + staffing: $4k–$12k
Arcade row + tech: $3k–$10k
Furniture + delivery: $1.5k–$6k
AV/DJ & projection: $1k–$5k
F&B (snacks/drinks): $1k–$4k
Printing/signage/merch: $500–$2k
Contingency (10–15%): add on top

Revenue Levers

Tickets (GA $20–$35, VIP $60–$100), Sponsorship tiers, Raffle/Auction, On‑site donations, Merch.

Sample Break‑Even Break‑Even Tickets = (Total Fixed Costs – Confirmed Sponsorships) / Avg Ticket Price

Sponsorship Tiers

Millennium Sponsor ($5,000): Entrance wall top‑line logo, “news bulletin” credits, stage mentions, 6 VIP.
Bug Fixer ($2,500): Station placards, digital promos, 4 VIP.
Y2K Compliant ($1,000): Website/socials, entry signage, 2 VIP.
In‑Kind: Snacks, beverages, décor, printing; placement based on value.

14) Checklists

Load‑In Kit: Gaff tape, zip ties, power strips, labeled extensions, cable ramps, wipes, microfiber, gloves, tools, first‑aid, surge protectors, trash bags, sharpies, clipboards, batteries.

Signage Pack: Entry, wayfinding, sponsor wall, station cards, “Lights Out at Midnight,” food allergen, ADA routes.

Power Distro: Map circuits; label quads; test with clamp meter; note high‑draw cabs; 20% buffer.

AV Cue Sheet: TRL loop, mic check, bulletin roll @ 23:58, countdown overlay, hard cut @ 00:00.
Sanitation: Bins at food; liners; wipes; spill kit.

15) Marketing & Creative

Identity: VHS static, CRT scanlines, chrome gradients, pixel fonts.

Palette: Electric blue, acid green, fuchsia, chrome, black.

Type: Headline — Orbital/Eurostile‑like; Body — Verdana/Arial‑like.

Poster Concept: “Party Like It’s 1999… Because It Is.” Big chrome 2000, CRT frame, countdown ticks.

Social: Hashtags #Y2KAtTBD #MindAtticCares #PartyLikeIts1999.

Calendar: T‑6w announce; T‑4w lineup; T‑3w sponsor thank‑yous; T‑2w tournament signup; T‑1w safety/FAQ; T‑3d teaser of “newsroom”; T‑0 live posts.

16) Show Assets

Breaking News Video (2:00) — Script Beats

0:00–0:20 Cold open: anchor desk; lower‑third “Rolling Y2K Outages.”
0:20–0:50 Vox pops of “IT admins” + b‑roll of beige towers, BIOS screens.
0:50–1:20 Map graphic; “legacy systems” mention; modem SFX; subtle siren bed.
1:20–1:40 Anchor: “Midwest grid crossing threshold…”
1:40–2:00 Full‑screen countdown; tone swell; CUT TO BLACK.

VO Sample Lines

“We’re receiving reports of sporadic failures as clocks cross midnight.”
“Officials urge calm and… a healthy sense of humor.”
“If you’re seeing this, you’re already part of history.”

Loops/Playlists

TRL‑era video pool; Windows 98 screensavers; VHS static bumpers.

17) Post‑Event

Finance: Reconcile ticketing, donations, raffle; pay vendors within terms.

Sponsor Recap (Email): Thank‑you, funds raised, attendance, media hits, photo link, impact note from Child’s Play.

Survey (5 Qs): How did you hear? Fav part? Anything confusing? Rate midnight moment. Would you return?

Debrief: What worked; power/queueing/volume notes; keep‑for‑next‑year.

18) Appendices

A) Contact Directory: Venue, building security, electrician, IPG, arcade vendor, furniture, catering, insurance broker, permits office.
B) Floor Plan Notes: Station IDs; cable paths; ADA routes; extinguisher/first‑aid.
C) Power Map Template: Circuit numbers; amperage; devices; buffer; last‑tested time.
D) COI Wording: Additional insured entities; date; address; waiver of subrogation if required.
E) Sample Waivers: Photo consent; tournament participation; liability acknowledgment for retro equipment.