HUMBOLDT PARK — Chicago's musical carnival Riot Fest takes over Humboldt Park this weekend for much-anticipated band reunions, nostalgic carnival rides and a butter sculpture of John Stamos.
The gates open at 2:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Here's what you need to know:
Music
Can't make it to all three days? Friday's headliners are Fall Out Boy and Danzig, Saturday's are Blink 182 and the Violent Femmes, and Sunday's are the Pixies and the Replacements. A full schedule is here.
Food & Booze
You're not allowed to bring your own food and drink into the park this year, but there's a wealth of local food, from Carne Asada and Finger Lickin' Chicken slices from Dimo's Pizza to hot Asian buns from Wow Bao. Vegan and vegetarian food will be available. Booze selections vary from PBR to Magic Hat No. 9 to chardonnay. Full food and drink lists are here.
Empty water bottles and CamelBaks are allowed in and can be filled at water stations.
Rides & Games
The grounds will have a Ferris wheel, a dragon coaster, a "fun slide" and carnival games. There will also be fire breathers and jugglers walking the grounds, and Lucha Libre wrestlers, a security guard said Wednesday. Ride tickets are not included in admission.
Lockers & Battery Life
Lockers are available for rent for $15 per day or $40 for three days. The lockers are 11 inches wide by 13 ½ inches high and 18 inches deep and can be accessed all day. Backpacks are allowed in the fest but will be searched.
Attendees can pay for unlimited cellphone charging station access, along with a locker for $20 total per day, or $50 for all three days.
Those with unlimited charging can drop off their cellphone at the station and return later to retrieve it, according to the Riot Fest website.
Getting There
The No. 70 Division Bus, No. 72 North Bus and No. 52 Kedzie/California Bus all stop near the grounds. The California, Damen and Division Blue Line stops are each about a 20 to 30 minute walk from the park.
On-site bike parking will also be available.
No Re-Entry
Don't leave! Once you're out of the park, re-entry isn't allowed. Organizers are trying to "keep noise and trash pollution in one place" and be courteous to Humboldt Park neighbors.
Neighbor Karl Kuhn, 45, said he didn't anticipate problems as he walked his dog Eugene past crews setting up stages Wednesday.
"Last year, I was really struck by how it was patrolled, waste-wise and general shenanigan-wise," he said. Kuhn called Riot Fest "one of the most organized" Chicago festivals.
Kuhn went to all three days last year, but this year, the new Humboldt Park resident is only going Sunday.
He wasn't sure if experiencing Riot Fest from the other side of the fence, this time as a neighbor, would change his views.
"Ask me again Monday," he said, laughing.
