CHICAGO — Riot Fest is returning to Douglas Park in 2016, festival organizers announced Monday.
The three-day punk rock fest and carnival will take place Sept. 16-18, 2016, in the North Lawndale park after what was deemed a successful first year at the new location.
After a public feud with Humboldt Park Ald. Roberto Maldonado(26th), the festival seems to be working closely with North Lawndale residents and Ald. George A. Cardenas (12th). It teamed up with community members and neighborhood groups to give away 600 turkeys to families in need this year.
Riot Fest spent about $180,000 to prepare, restore and improve the Douglas Park grounds before and after the fest, according to a statement.
In 2014, Riot Fest caused $182,000 in damage at Humboldt Park, the former home of Riot Fest.
After pushback from the Humboldt Park neighborhood, Riot Fest organizers confirmed in May that the fest would be moved to Douglas Park. The move came after Maldonado vowed to stop Riot Fest from setting up shop for a fourth year in Humboldt Park.
Douglas Park was a leading contender as tensions rose in Humboldt Park because it is similar in size and layout to Humboldt Park.
Ald. George Cardenas (12th), who represents the south end of the park, and Ald. Michael Scott (24th), who represents the north end of the park, said they were pleased with the cleanup efforts.
"Riot Fest has been nothing but responsible in its efforts to protect and restore the park before, during and after the festival,” Cardenas said.
Scott said Riot Fest organizers did their "due diligence" before and after the concerts at Douglas Park.
“There were very few constituent complaints, and I look forward to seeing the end result," Scott said.
A limited number of early bird tickets to the 2016 fest will be available here starting Tuesday.
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