Despite support to stay in Humboldt Park, Riot Fest Chicago forced to move to new location

Despite receiving a great amount of support to stay in Humboldt Park, Riot Fest Chicago has been forced to move to its new location of Douglas Park. 

In 2014, Riot Fest Chicago came under scrutiny for the disaster-land aftermath it left behind in its wake at Humboldt Park. The Chicago Park District revealed a $182,000 bill for damages. As always, however, festival organizers addressed the situation with the utmost respect and professionalism. Areas of the park affected by the fest have since been addressed and are being restored to pristine conditions. Even the baseball fields on which certain stages stood were cleared for the 2015 Spring Leagues.

Read an excerpt from Riot Fest's press release below.

Recently, as evidenced in the media, there were those who attempted to divide the Humboldt Park community with unfair and unjust tactics that in no way represent the overwhelming majority of the 26thWard residents and businesses. And while Riot Fest supporters stressed that without question, Riot Fest has done nothing short of showing their unparalleled devotion to the city and the neighborhood they called home, Riot Fest partners, Michael Petryshyn and Sean McKeough made the ethical decision not to allow the festival to be used as a pawn and removed Riot Fest from the conversation regarding the ever-changing face of Humboldt Park.

In so doing, and after looking into a nearly dozen options on the table, which included leaving the city limits altogether, Mike and Sean chose Douglas Park as Riot Fest’s new home because of the beauty of the park, its proximity to public transportation, the accessibility for fans, the diversity of the neighborhood and the overwhelming feeling that they were welcomed and wanted.

The lineup for 2015's festival will be revealed next week.