Become a Player at Great America

Sports Illustrated Sports Festival Today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; tomorrow and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Six Flags Great America, Grand Avenue (east) off of Interstate 94,Gurnee. Main gate admission, $26 for visitors 11 and older; $22 forvisitors 4 to 10. Parking, $5 per car. (708) 249-2133

When I was a kid, I used to wait earnestly for the mailman tobring my copy of Sports Illustrated.

Things have progressed a bit since then. The magazine has spunoff a periodical aimed at children, and has entered othergame-related areas.

Now, for the first time, the traveling Sports Illustrated SportsFestival will stop in the Chicago area at Six Flags Great …