Seems like 31st street is the only lot that lets you in earlier than 8, so I am not sure that is going to happen this weekend. I would like to be in earlier as well, but at this point I just want a parking spot period. I don't want to be stuck scrambling in the morning.
If I know for sure that the Burnham Harbor lot will be available, I may just try to line up there around 7:15 or so. I figure that will save me some time on the back end since I wont have to walk as far. At the same time I don't want to be up near the Burnham only to be turned away at 8 am. At that time the Michael Reese lot will be filling up.