What Is Riot Fest?
The Riot Fest is a great way to get together and have some fun on a weekend. There are several performances that last throughout the entire weekend. The Riot Fest is certainly something that many people look forward to. It provides a great way to be with friends for a weekend out. However, there are some people that may not enjoy very loud music at late times of the night. Even then, it continues to be something that many people look forward to. Therefore will continue to be an annual tradition in Chicago, and across the nation.
As aforementioned, there are people that love Riot Fest and look forward to it each year. Meanwhile, there are people that are absolutely against it. “At the most recent Park District board meeting, neighbors spoke for and against Riot Fest, and a member of the event’s staff said community outreach — required by the board — was ongoing. A virtual community meeting is scheduled for June 7,” according to WTTW News. Therefore, even though there will be people that dislike this fest, there will always be a higher majority that enjoys this fest.
Background of Riot Fest
Riot Fest was created quite recently and has not been around for more than 30 years. “The roots of our philanthropic vision can be traced back to November of 2006, when festival founders united the Chicagoland music community with a single-venue, day-long concert rooted in a collective passion for punk rock music,” according to The Riot Fest Foundation. Therefore, it is a fairly new fest that is taking place in Chicago, that has not been around for too long. However, people really enjoy this fest, and it provides a great way to enjoy a weekend, full of music and dancing.
Also, around 2012 is when it began to expand across North America and became a nationwide sensation. “In 2012, Riot Fest expanded to Denver and Toronto and found its home in Humboldt Park—a park within a beautiful Chicago community rich in history, soul and culture,” according to The Riot Fest Foundation. Clearly, this was a fest that, as the years progressed, introduced new things. This made it even more attractive to the public eye.
This Year and Riot Fest
It seems that there has been an issue with this year’s Riot Fest. It seems that there already have been tickets arranged, and also a lineup that has been made. However, they are forgetting one crucial part of hosting it. “Riot Fest announced its lineup Tuesday with some major headliners joining this year’s festival, but there could be a hiccup before any band even hits the stage: the Chicago Park District says the event hasn’t been given a permit yet,” according to NBC 5 News. This can potentially be catastrophic, as a permit is required to host really anything in Chicago. Without a permit, there is a possibility that the entire event can be canceled in its entirety.
Reactions to Possible Cancellation, Plus Near Future
It is without a doubt that people will be enraged if this fest gets canceled because of a permit issue. This is why they need to take this into account and get a permit as fast and as soon as possible. Otherwise, a cancellation will be imminent. A cancellation may lead to a major outrage across the entire city of Chicago. That is especially for those that have already paid for their tickets. The city has mentioned that those that have paid for tickets, will, unfortunately, have to take it up with Riot Fest themselves. The City will not get involved whatsoever. Therefore, hope remains, as there still is time for something to be done. However, it is up to the Riot Fest themselves to actually do something about this issue.
Written by David Loran Jr.
Sources:
NBC 5 Chicago: Chicago Park District Says Riot Fest Permit Hasn’t Been Issued as Lineup is Released
The Riot Fest Foundation: History
WTTW News: Riot Fest Announces Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie and The Cure as Headliners, But Still Doesn’t Have a Permit for Douglass Park
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of swimfinfan’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Paul Sableman‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
