Latest news with #NavyPier
CBS News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Epic Con attendees gather at Navy Pier despite event's cancellation
Official Epic Con events scheduled to take place this weekend at Navy Pier were abruptly canceled earlier this week. When the entertainment company hosting the event announced its cancellation, fans were left in the cold. Many of them already had flights and hotels that couldn't be refunded. Despite the announcement, fans made the best of the situation by hosting a meet-up at Navy Pier on Saturday. They gathered to talk about the show and even exchanged tokens related to Epic Con. The company posted a statement online just eight days before the show was supposed to take place, saying, "We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, we are canceling Epic Con Chicago ... "
CBS News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Epic Cons Chicago convention abruptly canceled at Navy Pier, leaving ticketholders confused and disappointed
An entertainment company abruptly canceled a convention this coming weekend in Chicago — during which fans were expecting to meet actors from their favorite TV shows. Epic Events and Entertainment hosts popular events around the country. The company was set to host Epic Cons Chicago 3 at Navy Pier this coming weekend. But days before the event, Epic posted a notice announcing that the convention would not be happening. "We put all of this into it, and now we're not able to go, was definitely really frustrating," said Ben Parker, who had been planning to go to the convention and had bought passes. Parker feels they were nearly robbed of $1,400. They and their mom each paid $500 for the main event, and another $200 per person for the meet-and-greet. "It's frustrating because they ran all of these sales in the last two weeks," Parker said, "and it was like, 'Oh, you weren't running sales for us. You were running sales to collect more money.'" It was eight days before the convention was set to take place at Navy Pier that Epic posted the following message online: "We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, we are canceling Epic Cons Chicago 3 for July 26-27, along with all upcoming events. If you had purchased tickets to any of the upcoming events, please check your email." "Do you understand how many people that you let down?" Parker said. Parker has been to a previous convention in Virginia. But red flags went up when the PayPal account they paid said "Anna Owen" and "Alexis Arnold," instead of "Epic Con." Parker said the receipt soon switched to "Epic Events and Entertainment." "That should have been a red flag for a lot of us," Parker said. At the same time, Epic Events and Entertainment has been named in two lawsuits. One of the lawsuits filed by Kash Advance LLC states, "There remains a balance due of more than 611 thousand dollars plus interest, costs, and disbursements." CBS News Chicago has not been able to reach anyone with the company for comment on the lawsuits or the convention cancellation. "It's not unforeseen when it was something that they definitely were aware of," Parker said. CBS News Chicago also reached out to Navy Pier about the abrupt cancellation. It turned out Navy Pier officials found out about it through social media as well. In a statement, Navy Pier said: "We have not been formally informed of the cancellation. Our team has reached out to show organizers for further comment and clarification, but have not received any updates on the future of the event this weekend and beyond." Parker said they won't lose any money. PayPal will return what they spent on the tickets, and the hotel they booked has refunded the money for a room. They will also have a credit for a Southwest Airlines flight.
CBS News
20-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Columbian Fest, Taste of River North among events dampened by midday showers
It's been drying out across Chicago after morning and midday showers dampened several events. "It's a nice day, and we thought we'd come down and see them off," Kristin Daus said. Along with the usual waves on the lake, there were waves from the shore on Saturday morning. "I just like to say hi and let them know that we're all cheering them on and think this is amazing," Daus said. She joined a crowd at Navy Pier on Saturday to watch boats set sail for the race to Mackinac as clouds rolled in. "Right now, it's very muggy, and you know the rain's coming right around the corner," she said. Sure enough, it started to rain on their parade. It's not an ideal start to festivals across the city. As the first beers poured at Ravenswood on Tap, showers poured at the Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park. However, it doesn't stop the music or the dancing at the Taste of River North. "Getting a little rained on, but that's alright," Jeannine Ringland said. Ringland with Giveashi*t [Giveashirt] wasn't giving up on a break in the clouds. She and other vendors managed to stay drier than most. "Very grateful for a tent with sides that's waterproof," she said. But the showers in the city were short-lived. "to me, i think this is so exciting." Like a boat sailing past Navy Pier, the rain is long gone, at least for now.
Chicago Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Down to Business: Naperville company specializes in carnival rides, concessions: ‘We work hard for other people to have fun'
Business: Alpine Amusement Co. Address: Naperville Phone/website: 630-922-3188; President: Donnie Massie III, 56, of Naperville; Vice President: Michelle Massie, 56, of Naperville Years in business: 31 What does your business do? 'We provide rides, games and concessions for locals fairs and festivals, from small venues to large like Wrigley Field Christmas and Navy Pier. The focus is to partner with not-for-profit agencies and provide a way for them to fund raise (money), whether it's a church festival or a village. … They don't pay for us to come in. We have an agreed-upon percentage of the revenues that we donate back,' Michelle said. How do you make money? 'We get a majority of the percentage because we have to cover overhead, insurance, fuel and payroll,' Michelle said. 'We are self-sufficient. We bring our own generators. The only thing we ask the town for is Dumpsters, water, Porta-Potties. We bring our own power,' Donnie said. What's the history? 'My father started it. He grew up in Bloomington and worked for IBM. This was in the late '60s. He went to the Bloomington McLean County Fair and he saw people making lots of money with concessions, popcorn and cotton candy. He told me he went home and told my grandparents, 'I think I may have a side business.' He wanted to buy a cotton candy and popcorn trailer. My grandpa was like, 'Are you crazy?' 'Dad fulfilled what he wanted to do, owning a concession stand at a carnival. After that first weekend, he came home and dropped a bag of coins on the kitchen table. My grandfather said, 'I think you might have something here,,' Donnie said. 'His claim to fame is cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones. For tradition, we keep (selling) snow cones. He started in the Chicago area with five to six trailers. I was born in 1969. Dad expanded into kiddie rides and some games. It was called Massie's Mobile Concessions. It was part of a carnival. He was frustrated because if it wasn't big enough, a carnival wouldn't need outside vendors. Many years went by. … When I graduated college, he said, 'If you want to do this, I'll mortgage my house again,' and we started this business,' Donnie said. How's it going? 'We've been fortunate. We started with six rides in 1994 and we're up to 22 rides now,' Donnie said. Where do you keep the rides? 'In Union Grove, Wisconsin. An over 30,000-square-foot building. Storage and maintenance,' Donnie said. Is maintenance important? 'Yes. We're very high level and meticulous when it comes to maintenance. That's why we're around 31 years. We set the bar high. Safety is No. 1,' Donnie said. 'Our inspections are daily. … And we're inspected by each state. We work in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.' Do you work year around? 'Nine months of the year. Then we go to the warehouse and do maintenance,' Michelle said. 'Our fun time is January through March,' Donnie said. Is this still a family business? 'Our daughter, Paige, works in concessions. She's a sophomore in accounting at the University of Kansas. (Our children) started on the payroll at 16 and recruited a bunch of their friends. Our son, Drew, just turned 24. He graduated from (University of) Wisconsin-Whitewater. … He's a driver, does a bit of everything,' Michelle said. What do the kids say? 'I like driving. I like getting everything ready and tearing it down,' said Drew, who has a commercial driver's license and a business degree. 'You're always moving. No time to eat,' Paige said. How do you tear down a carnival so fast? 'There's an old saying in the business. 'When you come by Monday, the only things left are wagon tracks and popcorn sacks.' … For us, 17, 18 rides, (tear down) takes about three and a half hours.' Do you hate rain? 'If it rains, that's God telling us we have a day off,' Donnie said. What about competition? 'Competition is friendly because there's enough work for all of us,' Michelle said. Any future plans? 'We have a 45-foot Ferris wheel. We're buying a 65-foot Ferris wheel for next year. We're excited. … It costs $800,000,' Michelle said. What's your philosophy? 'We work hard for other people to have fun,' Donnie said. What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'Your employees are your best resource. Find the right people, nurture them, train them, mentor them. That's the diamond in the rough. If you take care of your people and your customers, everything else will fall in place,' Michelle said. 'We have expensive, beautiful rides, but I tell my staff all the time, 'We could not do this without you,'' Donnie added
CBS News
01-07-2025
- CBS News
Navy Pier stabbing suspect released without charges, Chicago police say
Suspect in custody after man stabbed to death, another wounded at Navy Pier Beer Garden Suspect in custody after man stabbed to death, another wounded at Navy Pier Beer Garden Suspect in custody after man stabbed to death, another wounded at Navy Pier Beer Garden Chicago police said a suspect arrested after a stabbing at the Navy Pier beer garden over the weekend was released without charges overnight. Police said around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, a 56-year-old man and a 64-year-old man, who knew each other, got into an argument in the beer garden. The argument turned physical, and the 64-year-old man stabbed the 56-year-old man multiple times. The victim was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with multiple stab wounds, where he died. The older man was treated at the same hospital for a cut to his chest and taken into custody for a time before he was released without charges. Neither man has been identified. Chicago police did not offer further details about their decision to release the man. Please note: The above video is from a previous report.
