Riot Fest’s Bold Move to RiotLand at SeatGeek Stadium
Riot Fest has announced its relocation from Douglass Park to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, rebranding the event as RiotLand. The festival, scheduled for September 20-22, 2024, promises an exciting new chapter for fans, with tickets already on sale.
Riot Fest is moving from Douglass Park after almost ten years. The organizers are frustrated with how the Chicago Park District handled talks and dealt with the community.
Mike Petryshyn, the co-founder of Riot Fest, said, “We are leaving Douglass Park because of the Chicago Park District. They didn’t care about the community or us, and we had no other option.” This shows that there have been problems and dissatisfaction for a long time.
These frustrations were not new. Even though Riot Fest followed all the community engagement steps required by the park district in previous years, local opposition had been increasing.
Some residents and community groups felt that the festival disrupted their daily lives and restricted their access to the park. This opposition points to a larger problem in how the city manages public spaces and big events.
In response, the Chicago Park District said it tries to balance community needs with special events. They mentioned that Riot Fest had followed all the required steps to get approval in the past.
However, some local residents still felt their concerns were not properly addressed. This ongoing disagreement played a key role in Riot Fest’s decision to move to a new location.
Adding to the situation, Alderman Monique Scott of the 24th Ward, which includes Douglass Park, expressed sadness over the festival’s move.
She praised Riot Fest for helping the community by investing in local youth and businesses but also pointed out the financial inequalities affecting parks in mostly Black neighborhoods. Scott’s comments highlight the complex issues of managing city parks and the need for fair investment.
Riot Fest’s new location at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview provides a fresh start and solves some problems faced at Douglass Park. The stadium has plenty of space and parking, and has hosted big events like the Summer Smash hip hop festival.
However, it’s not easy to reach by public transportation, so the festival will offer shuttle services from the Midway Orange Line CTA station to help attendees get there easily.
Dubbed “RiotLand,” the festival plans to offer a fresh and exciting experience in its new location. Organizers promise a unique event that will stand out from past festivals, aiming to create a lively and unforgettable atmosphere.
As Riot Fest gets ready to announce the 2024 lineup, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the festival will change in its new home.