Riot Fest to remain in Chicago's Douglass Park through 2027
The Chicago Park District and Riot Fest announced they have signed a deal to keep the annual music festival in Douglass Park in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood through 2027.
The agreement has the support of Alderwoman Monique Scott and the Mayor's Office, and includes the option to extend the deal through 2029.
The agreement also includes a reinvestment model that will triple Douglass Park's infrastructure funding. Under this new structure, the park district will increase its contribution of Riot Fest revenue from 10% to 20%, and the festival itself will contribute an additional 10% in funding for the park.
Riot Fest announced its
2024 festival would move to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview
, Illinois, blaming the Chicago Park District for not issuing them a permit efficiently. Neighbors around Douglass Park have complained for years about limited access to the park, damage to park ground, traffic and noise from the festival, which takes place next to two hospitals and a rehab center.
But just two months later, and only a few weeks before the three-day festival began,
Riot Fest announced it would indeed be held at Douglass Park
after organizers were able to reach an agreement with the city with the help of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
In response to the new agreement, Riot Fest fonder Mike Petryshyn said in a statement, "This agreement gives us the chance to keep doing that, and to invest more deeply in the neighborhoods that have allowed us to grow. It's not about a single weekend. It's about building something that lasts. We've been in Douglass Park for years, and this makes that presence more meaningful, more consistent, more connected. It's for the residents who live here, the fans who've supported us, and the communities that continue to shape who we are, and where we're going."
Riot Fest 2025
, the festival's 20th year, will be held from Sept. 19-21. Early bird presale tickets are on sale now; the lineup has not yet been announced.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wichita's Maya Angelou Library reopens with celebration
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — After months of renovations and years of planning, the Wichita Public Library officially celebrated the grand reopening of the Maya Angelou Branch Library on Saturday, welcoming the community back to a refreshed and reimagined space at 3051 E. 21st Street. Tens of thousands crowd Sundown Parade The event began with a ribbon cutting and remarks from city leaders, including District 1 Council Member Brandon Johnson, who reflected on the years of planning and community input that led to the branch's transformation. 'I am really excited today,' Johnson said. 'This is something that has been in the works for years.' The Angelou Branch quietly reopened in March after undergoing extensive remodeling, which included the addition of a sunroom, updated interiors, and a relocated study room. Improvements also include upgraded lighting and flooring, along with a seed library for residents to grow their own food. 'We're really doing Maya Angelou justice,' Johnson said. 'I hope that people feel welcome and included. When you look at the renovation, the artwork, the cultural artwork, the quote that is on the outside on the mural, I hope that a lot of the folks in this community see themselves in the space.' The library also now features extended hours, remaining open until 8 p.m., two hours later than before. 'I am looking forward to seeing more young people coming through here,' Johnson said. 'The library is where I spent a lot of my time as a kid. I love to read.' For Johnson, the moment was personal. 'I think about my upbringing, growing up in poverty. We didn't have enough money to buy books all the time, so I spent a lot of time in the library,' he said. 'I would check out the Goosebumps books. I think I read the whole series twice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago saw a boost in tourism last year. Will the pope be a blessing in 2025?
Boosted by major events, Chicago was once again a 'toddling town' for tourists last year, welcoming 55.3 million visitors, up 6.5% over 2023 and setting a post-pandemic high, according to data released Thursday by Choose Chicago. Some of that growth came from increased international tourism to Chicago, which was up 10% in 2024, topping 2 million visitors for the first time since 2019, Choose Chicago said. The domestic and international visitors did more than just ask directions to Sears Tower, generating a record $20.6 billion in economic impact in 2024 through hotel stays, conventions and other activities, according to the city's tourism agency. 'Chicago is a city that knows how to host,' Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. 'Whether it's conventions, major sporting events, or family vacations, visitors from around the world know they'll find an experience that's welcoming, inspiring, and unique to Chicago.' While last year's Democratic National Convention was a one-off, major returning events this year include the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Lollapalooza. In addition, Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' shows this week at Soldier Field are expected to draw a lot of visitors and get the summer concert season off to a big start. But a more challenging economic and political landscape may make it hard for Chicago to surpass last year, Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago's new president and CEO, told the Tribune Thursday. 'If we can just stay at the numbers that we're at … that would be a win,' Reynolds said. Choose Chicago, which held its annual meeting Thursday, is nonetheless looking to build on its momentum in 2025 with a busy convention and events schedule, a new marketing campaign and perhaps some divine intervention, Reynolds said. Reynolds is hoping the naming last week of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost as the first American Pope might boost the city as a travel/pilgrimage destination. 'That has been incredible global exposure, and that will put Chicago in the minds of people from all over the world that maybe hadn't thought of us before,' Reynolds told the Tribune. 'It's a really wonderful opportunity for us, and not just the city of Chicago, but all of the neighborhoods and the suburban areas of Chicago where the Pope has influence and history.' Pope Leo XIV: What to know about Chicago-born Robert PrevostThe city, which had 61 million visitors in 2019, is steadily clawing its way back to pre-pandemic levels, reaching nearly 52 million visitors in 2023, according to Choose Chicago. International tourism accounted for about 1.8 million visitors in 2023. Topping last year's 55.3 million visitors and particularly, the 2 million international visitors, is already proving to be a challenge, Reynolds said, as backlash over trade policies tamp down tourism across the industry. Industry analysts are projecting that Canadians, who represent the largest segment of international travel to the U.S. and Chicago, will curtail travel south of the border in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to annex their country as the 51st state. 'The Canadian sentiment for the United States right now is very low,' Reynolds said.'So we are definitely seeing some declines in the first quarter internationally.' Potentially offsetting that, Reynolds cited the upcoming Premier League soccer exhibitions in July and the rugby match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks in November as boosts to Chicago's international tourism this year. She also pointed to the U.S. Travel Association's IPW 2025 trade show, which returns to McCormick Place in June for the first time in a decade, as a potential catalyst for international travel to Chicago. On Thursday, Choose Chicago also announced a long-term extension of the National Restaurant Show in the city through 2032. Last year, Chicago hosted 1,891 meetings and conventions generating an economic impact of $3 billion, Choose Chicago said. Beyond political backlash, Reynolds said the economy may make it hard to grow tourism in Chicago, and across the country, in 2025. 'The economy is another very uncertain factor that everybody in the industry is going to have to deal with, because tourism is not only an emotional decision where people go, it's a financial decision,' Reynolds said. 'And it is a financial decision usually made from discretionary income. So it does impact our industry.' Reynolds, who previously served as president and CEO of Discover Long Island for nearly a decade, was named last month to the same role at Choose Chicago, taking the helm two weeks ago of the agency tasked with promoting the city as a travel destination. Launched in 2012 under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Choose Chicago gets most of its funding from state and city sources, with a budget of $34.7 million this year, according to an agency spokesperson. Emanuel initially set a goal of 55 million visitors a year by 2020, touting tourism as an economic boon and job creator. Chicago first crossed that threshold in 2017 and set a record at 61 million in 2019. But visitation fell to 16 million in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, and it took four years to get back to Emanuel's original target. Meanwhile, Choose Chicago is planning to launch a marketing campaign in June at the IPW convention, pitching the city to thousands of international travel bookers in an effort to keep tourism numbers rising. Whether the new marketing campaign incorporates Da Pope, remains to be seen. rchannick@
Axios
15-05-2025
- Axios
Green Day, Blink-182 and Weezer headline daily lineups at Riot Fest
Riot Fest is returning to Douglass Park this summer and treating its loyal fans to one-of-a-kind performances. The latest: The festival released its daily lineups and will mark its 20th anniversary by having 20 bands play full album sets. Friday, Sept. 19: Blink-182, "Weird Al" Yankovic and Alkaline Trio headline the evening. Saturday, Sept. 20: Weezer, Jack White and the Sex Pistols headline. Sunday, Sept. 21: Green Day, IDLES, Jawbreaker and Bad Religion. Zoom in: In addition to the headliners, Riot Fest announced the 20 acts that will play their iconic albums live in their entirety. Some of those include: Weezer: "The Blue Album" Sex Pistols: "Never Mind the Bullocks" Alkaline Trio: "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" Bad Religion: "Suffer" The Pogues: "Rum Sodomy & The Lash" The Hold Steady: "Separation Sunday" The Academy Is: "Almost Here" Helmet: "Betty" Smoking Popes: "Born To Quit" The big picture: Riot Fest has performed at several parks over its 20-year history, but has settled in at Douglass Park despite a rocky relationship with neighbors and the Chicago Park District. Earlier this year, the festival and the park district signed a multi-year deal that not only keeps the festival in Chicago but also promises over $4 million in park revenue, including $1 million for Douglass Park specifically.
