Chicago Park District releases statement after Riot Fest says it will leave Douglass Park due to park district's ‘lack of care'
“Riot Fest will be leaving Douglass Park," a video message posted to Riot Fest's social media pages Tuesday read in part."And – allow me to be as clear as the azure sky of the deepest summer – our exodus is solely because of the Chicago Park District. Their lack of care for the community, you and us, ultimately left us no choice.”The video -- a scrolling message, set in front of a leather couch with a framed picture of the word"OZ" hanging above it -- was.
"Though our curtains may have closed in Douglass Park, another one has opened," the message went on to say."It's called RiotLand. It's something like you've never seen before. And it's far overdue."The three-day music festival began in 2005, originally using a combination of venues before it moved to Chicago’s Humboldt Park.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly"Community voices are critical to our decision-making process, which is why a comprehensive community engagement process is a necessary component in evaluating a permit application," the statement read in part."Last year, Riot Fest organizers completed this process successfully, received a permit and hosted their event in Douglass Park.