Hundreds of residents attended the 2023 Riot Fest Community Engagement Meeting, held on April 6. Concerned citizens joined Riot Fest organizers at LEARN Charter School’s Romana Butler Campus in North Lawndale to converse about their issues. The intention was for representatives to hear concerns residents may have and to give detailed plans for the event.
Rising Tension
Since 2015, many citizens of North Lawndale, Homan Square, and the surrounding areas on the Southwest Side have been troubled about the event being held in Douglass Park.
During the three-day multi-generational music festival, a huge portion of the local park is closed down for public use. Subsequently, this causes youth sports teams to be displaced and in need of finding new areas to play. It also causes major damage to the park itself which can take weeks to months for the city to repair.
Park District records show how last year’s music fests caused damages that were not repaired until the fall.
Riot Fest is not the only event that has distressed community members over the years. They have also rallied against Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash and more recently the Heatwave Festival. Those two events have chosen to move venues after facing community backlash. However, Riot Fest has decided to continue its tradition of holding the event in Douglass Park.
Diverse Showcase
The event is slated to take place from September 15 through the 17th. They are expecting to draw 50,000 people each day. The Riot Fest showcases diverse genres of music:
- Punk.
- Rock.
- Pop.
- Indie.
- Latin Rock.
- Alternative.
- Metal.
- And Hip-Hop.
The event also features local and national artists, local food vendors, merchandise, carnival rides, and community partners, according to the organizers.
Riot Fest Concerns
It didn’t take long for tension to flare up and chaos to ensue. Fired-up voices drowned out the voices of organizers. Comments like “We need parking,” and “Find a real venue” echoed throughout the meeting. Others heckled organizers saying they weren’t part of the community so they weren’t for the community. Concerns about traffic, access to emergency responders, and having access to the park itself were voiced several times.
Anger and irritation were met with frustration as organizers were drowned out as they attempted to present their case. At one point one organizer stated, “We’ll never get anything done if this is how we behave with each other. This is not how we work things out.”
On the few occasions when it was quiet organizers were able to lay out some of the details they wanted the community to know. Neli Vasquez-Rowland was able to translate her message into Spanish to help get her message across. State Representative Edgar Garcia was in attendance and asked two questions. One was in regard to traffic disruption and the other question was about emergency vehicles.
Riot Fest’s Plans for the Event
Riot Fest organizers admitted they could not control the traffic. However, they have begun a Proactive Traffic Management Strategy and Partners plan. They plan on working with leaders from Mount Sinai and St. Anthony hospitals to ensure smooth traffic flow. It should also help minimize disruptions for hospital staff, patients, and visitors.
Additionally, to ensure all proper protocols and recommendations have been followed, they will be having regular meetings with City Officials and Chicago Police Department. Furthermore, Riot Fest organizers will be collaborating with the city’s Collaborate with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to ensure rapid response will be available in any emergency situation.
Managing Traffic During Riot Fest
The meeting program stated that Riot Fest organizers will provide additional security and traffic management services. They hope by doing so they will be able to guide vehicle and foot services to guide foot and vehicle traffic away from the hospitals and ensure the safety of all attendees.
Furthermore, Traffic & Parking Management has plans to direct all vehicles to authorized parking locations and away from residential areas. This should minimize disturbances to the community, believes Riot Fest organizers.
Additionally, to minimize the noise impact on the community, Riot Fest organizers will work closely with Sound Engineers to adjust stage placement. Moreover, they plan on providing a dedicated phone number and email for any complaints.
Riot Fest Is 100% Rooted in Chicago
Riot Fest was established in 2005 by Mike Petryshyn a first-generation American Ukrainian entrepreneur. It is operated by 10 full-time employees that all live in Chicago. Currently, Riot Fest is the largest independently owned music festival in the United States.
Representatives of Riot Fest stated the event generates $14 million for the Park District. Although they generate millions, the fact they can’t guarantee the funds go into the community itself concerns many residents. Some citizens feel they choose to stay in Douglass Park because it is cheaper than other venues.
On the flip side, others feel the Riot Fest is a good thing. Yolanda Armstead, a community organizer, stated that Riot Fest “enhances, brings culture and diversity” to the community.
“This is something that can be addressed and bring money into the community, and it can be used to address many other issues affecting us,” added Armstead. Additionally, the income generated from the fest is used for many beneficial causes in the community.
Riot Fest Community Engagements
In addition to generating income for the Park District Riot Fest also helps promote community engagement, according to the PowerPoint provided at the meeting. Engagements such as:
- A Safe Haven 5k.
- Bike the Boulevard.
- Chicago Youth Fire Camp.
- Douglass Park Beautification Cleanup Initiatives.
- Eagles Youth Football Sponsorship.
- Harmony Cares Food Pantry.
- HoopsHIGH Sports Broadcasting Program.
- Kanoon Elementary Bunny Hop.
- Maria Saucedo Academy Toy Drive.
- Share the Warmth Coat Drive.
- Tepeyac Elementary Music Program.
Other Riot Fest Investments in the Community
Since 2015, they employ 1,250 community members, supporting local job creation and economic
development. The Riot Fest app has facilitated 22,826 lookups of nearby restaurants or businesses. Furthermore, this helps connect the community with local vendors.
While people on both sides of the meeting feel they were not fully heard, many hope the community truly benefits from the event being held in Douglass Park.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
2023 Riot Fest Community Engagement Meeting: April 6, 2023
Block Club Chicago: Riot Fest Meeting Devolves Into Chaos As Hundreds Of Douglass Park Neighbors Make Their Voices Heard
Images Courtesy of Daveed Holmes of Apertrue Photography
