Riot Fest Announces 2015 Festival to Be Held in Douglas Park
2015 Lineup to be Announced Next Week
Chicago, IL – Today, Riot Fest, the largest independent festival in North America, announced that it’s annual Chicago event will be held in Chicago’s Douglas Park, located in Alderman George Cardenas’ 12th Ward. It was just a few weeks ago that USA Todayranked Riot Fest as the #1 music festival in the country.
“In my very first meeting with Alderman Cardenas, I was happy that we were discussing logistical details and how we could enrich the community. Quite frankly, I was silently ecstatic. He wanted to know more about staging, production, staffing and myriad small details many elected officials would never think to ask. Analytical minds in the festival world are a commodity and I was impressed with how Alderman Cardenas saw the big picture in the details,” said Michael Petryshyn, founder of Riot Fest. “He gets it and it was genuine. And that’s half the battle when staging a festival. We are so very excited to get to know our new neighbors and to work with them to hold an event that is beneficial to the community, local businesses and the residents. Essentially, everything we have brought to Humboldt Park over the last three years.”
Recently, according to Riot Fest partners Petryshyn and Sean P. McKeough, while there were those who attempted to divide the community with unfair and unjust tactics that in no way represent the overwhelming majority of the Humboldt Park residents and businesses, 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. Therefore, Petryshyn and 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.
Douglas , a historical regional park, is a ten-minute ride from Humboldt Park and just steps from the CTA’s pink line. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney—who also designed Humboldt and Garfield Park—Douglas Park captures the same elements that made Riot Fest unique as a city event. It features ponds, gardens, lagoons and the same scenic terrain attendees have become accustomed to as Riot Fest’s backdrop.
It even has a golf course. Moreover, Douglas Park is close to the Lagunitas Brewing Company, the Illinois Medical District and as residents are already aware, the immediate and surrounding neighborhoods offer some of the best places to eat, drink and meet up in all of Chicago.
“Music brings people of all different backgrounds together. It’s the melodies and lyrics that artists create that inspire us, motivate us, and maybe even more importantly, it provides a mixtape of important events in our lives,” said 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas. “From Woodstock to Riot Fest it’s about unity and creating a positive community. It’s as American pie as you can get. We are excited that Riot Fest has honored us by selecting Douglas Park as its new home. More importantly, the community is thrilled to say ‘welcome’ to the over 150,000 fans, artists and staff that make Riot Fest possible. We look forward to working with Riot Fest, Mike and Sean, and we welcome the economic impact Riot Fest brings to the community.”
Riot Fest, the second largest music festival in the city, started in Chicago and has been holding it’s annual festivals here since 2005. Last year, roughly 160,000 people – one-half the size of Lollapalooza – from all over the world attended the event.
“Our goal has always been to leave a positive impact in the community we call home through helping local independent businesses, hiring ward residents and making an impact year-round,” said Petryshyn. “We did that in our previous home and plan to do the same — if not more — in the community surrounding Douglas Park and the 12th Ward. As soon as we started discussing community, it was refreshing to see Alderman Cardenas get up from his desk and start pointing on the ward map to the local businesses we need to meet and have a formal introduction. He was excited and so was I. To have an Alderman see clearly how we can bring good things to a community is humbling. To be appreciated for who we are—as people running an indie company and a festival—by the Alderman and all of the supporters has been inspiring.”
Support for keeping Riot Fest in Humboldt Park has been overwhelming:
· Over 8,300 people have signed a change.org petition supporting Riot Fest’s return to Humboldt Park
· Over 2000 homes and businesses have displayed “We Support Humboldt Park. We Support Riot Fest” posters in their storefronts, door and windows.
· Dozens upon dozens of support letters from local businesses, musicians, community groups and leaders have been signed in support of Riot Fest.
· Outpouring of support through newly-created social media pages by community groups wanting their voices to be heard.
Organizers added that had it not been for Alderman George Cardenas and 1st Ward Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno, Riot Fest would have entirely left the city limits. Both were responsible, in the 11th hour, in keeping Riot Fest in the city.
“I know Alderman Moreno has been passionate about doing everything he could to keep Riot Fest in Humboldt Park,” said McKeough. “He knows first-hand how an event like this can benefit local businesses and residents because his ward borders Humboldt Park. But, when the decision was made by us to take the high road, Joe convinced us, alongside Alderman Cardenas, that Chicago—no matter what—should remain Riot Fest’s home. Joe and George did well by Chicago and indie music fans by championing Riot Fest for what it truly is. Joe knows it belongs here. George knows it belongs here. And, because of them, we want to keep it here.”
In addition, Riot Fest is not only looking forward to working alongside Alderman Cardenas, but newly elected 24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott, Jr. 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin and the community as a whole. With the excitement of calling Douglas Park their new home for 2015, Riot Fest is also proud to announce that they will be releasing the 2015 lineup next week.
For more information visit www.riotfest.org
