NAVY PIER — After a Friday brawl involving 30 people erupted at Navy Pier's annual holiday celebration, Winter WonderFest, the tourist attraction announced that it would request identification from visitors 18 or older and require that visitors younger than 18 be accompanied by an adult.
"A vast majority of the people who were causing the problems on Friday were between the ages of 12 and 17," said Nick Shields, the communications director at Navy Pier, who called the incident "unfathomable."
"We had too many teenagers who were unaccompanied by a legal guardian or adult. We feel this is going to definitely help the situation," said Shields, adding that there have been other security enhancements that he would not discuss.
The adult chaperone requirement only applies to Winter WonderFest, which is running through Jan. 11. Kids under 18 years of age don't need to bring an adult to enjoy the rest of Navy Pier.
Police were called to the festival, held in a massive banquet hall at Navy Pier, about 7:45 p.m. Friday for a disturbance involving about 30 people fighting among themselves, according to Officer Bari Lemmon, a Chicago Police Department spokeswoman.
Five people were arrested for reckless conduct, Lemmon said. Police could not confirm that anyone was injured during the melee.
Middle-schoolers Ma'Kayla Wiggins, 13, and Myah Byrd, 14, brought their friend's grandmother to the festival Monday because they knew they wouldn't be able to get in otherwise.
"It's ridiculous," Myah said of the decision to boost security. "It's a shame people have to change the rules because others don't know how to act."
The two, who live in south suburban Homewood, were supposed to go to the attraction with a group of 20 of their friends last weekend, but the outing was canceled after news of Friday's brawl spread.
"It makes us feel like we are not safe," said Myah, who also mentioned an unrelated robbery that occurred Friday night.
Shields acknowledged that there will be some teenagers who might feel frustrated that they can't go to the festival without a parent.
"It's really unfortunate that the actions of the few have had to have such an impact on our beautiful event," he said. "But the safety and security of all of our guests always comes first."
Juan Marcano, 49, said he was "very" surprised to hear of Friday's brawl, but he didn't blame a lack of security.
"There are so many kids here," Marcano said gesturing to a food court packed with kids. "Who wants to prove they can throw fists here?"
Marcano, who lives in Hegewisch, said he was visiting the pier for the third time in the last four years, and he thought more security can only help.
Still, he said he didn't understand the purpose was of checking adults' IDs.
The 14th annual festival features 170,000 square feet of rides, slides and an indoor ice-skating rink with a Chicago Blackhawks theme.
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