>Can someone give me some info as to where to stay that
>will allow me to park my car.
I'm assuming you want to stay in the city, proper.
There are two hotels that I'm aware of in the River North area which have no-hassle no strings attached free parking for guests with unlimited in-out 24*7.
The one I've stayed in is the Best Western River North. It's an older remodeled hotel. Smallish rooms but clean and nice, at least when I stayed there.
Beverly also mentioned the Howard Johnson's a few blocks away. I've never stayed there.
Of course all of the suburban motor hotels and motels will have parking for guests.
Personally, I enjoy Pinkfest better without a car. The last time I had one (at the BWRN), it sat in the garage 95% of the time.
>What can I expect as a cross dresser.
One thing to be aware of is that Pinkfest is not based on the model used for most of the large TG gatherings.
Pinkfest is best described as a sequence of various activities, all of which are optional. There's no registration fee and Pinkfest is very informal. Pinkfest is similar in structure to Diva Las Vegas, but smaller and more informal. The environment of Pinkfest is far less "protected and controlled" than is the case at most of the larger TG events.
If you're new to public exposure, I suggest you plan your outfits by observing what GGs of your age and size usually wear to activities such as the ones we'll have on the schedule. Yes, there will be opportunities to dress up and put on the dog, should you choose to wear one, and there will be some activities where casual attire will be expected.
The various dress articles which appear on this page will give you a lot of information, and although it pertains to DLV, much of it is relevant for Pinkfest.
http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dress/>I am in the military and just got back from Iraq.
And, thank you for your service!