September is quickly approaching, which means it’s almost time for Riot Fest. I hope you’re ready for a weekend full of music, carnival rides, and more! It’s no secret that Riot Fest takes pride and takes a joke in booking the bands you did not want in the order you didn’t ask for, but that doesn’t stop this three-day weekend from being the place to be. They just celebrated being 20 last year, which means this is their special 21st. I wonder what kinds of fun are hidden up their sleeve? 

This festival is more than just music, though; it’s a community, and they have always found ways to make this entire event family-friendly. There’s the giant Ferris wheel and all sorts of vendors selling cool items. But you also cannot forget that one can get married; they provide the officiant, and all you need to do is show up with a marriage certificate. Those cannot be provided. Besides that, there is the music, and they do a fantastic job keeping the lineup mixed with the big names to the small local scene. Headliners this year include Twenty One Pilots and Pierce the Veil, but you can also catch hometown Chicago favorites like Sincere Engineer, who just released her brand-new album not too long ago. In fact, I just interviewed the woman behind that project, and she’s featured in the July zine print issue! 

From the music and everything they have to offer in Douglass Park, we cannot forget how the neighborhood gives back. If you get the VIP and up option, which allows re-entry all day, make sure you check out the street food vendors because it’s the bomb. The festival food hits the spot, but nothing like watching that tortilla hit the grill with the meat, cilantro, and onion while you head over the CTA stops to get back to your Airbnb. 

Riot Fest is the place you want to be from September 18-20 in Douglass Park, Chicago, Illinois. If you haven’t purchased tickets yet, then you need to get on that because the prices only go up the closer we get to the big starting day. Make sure to also download the app to build your personal schedule, check out the FAQs, break in those docs, and be ready to rock out! See you there!