Poplar Creek was a concert venue for international touring musical acts from 1980 - 1994. The pavilion had seating for 7000 and the lawn was said to have space for 13,000 more, though I personally know The Monkees performed to over 25,000 fans in 1986 (I was a "roadie" on that tour). WLUP radio personality Jonathon Brandmeier is considered to be the attendance record holder at 26,000 in 1987 with his band Johnny and the Leisure Suits.
The theater was a stopping point for most every major recording artist doing a "shed tour" in the 1980's until the World Music Theater (now First Midwest Bank Amphitheater) in Tinley Park opened in 1990. The World had a larger stage house and considerably more seating than Poplar Creek making the World much more attractive to artists with their ever growing touring packages and audience draw.
Sears acquired the property in 1989 as part of its new Hoffman Estates Campus. That acquisition along with dwindling concert bookings and attendance led to Poplar Creek's demise in 1994.
This cache is a four part multi placed at actual locations of the long gone theater. Your first stop will be Parking, followed by entering through the Front Gate. You must have waited in line all night at Ticketron to get good seats, because your next stop is the Front Row, on the house left aisle! After watching the opening act, you head back to the Plaza to get a beer or a concert tee shirt (this location is very near the lower level popcorn cart.) It is here you will find the final stage, a small Rubbermaid container that features some limited edition commemorative laminates for early finders. The second and final stages may be difficult with heavy snow accumulation.
When logging your find, please share what concerts you saw here, back in the day.
