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CultureQuiet 4d · day 5

Riot Fest cuts Saturday short, delays Sunday opening as storms drench Chicago

The three-day festival ended early on day two and pushed its final day back three hours due to heavy rain and flood warnings.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 3d ago5 pieces NewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • Riot Fest cut Saturday's final day short and delayed Sunday's opening to 2 p.m. (three hours late) due to heavy overnight rain and National Weather Service flood warnings.
  • Rapper Afroman's 8 p.m. Saturday set was cancelled; other headliners were moved earlier and shortened to end by 7:30 p.m.
  • Crews worked overnight to prepare the soaked grounds; festival officials urged attendees to download the app for real-time schedule updates.
  • Some attendees frustrated by late announcement of delays; one Riot Fest chapel wedding booked at 1:30 p.m. status unclear.
many voices

Festival made the right call prioritizing safety despite logistical frustration.

  • “Thank you for your patience. Doors will open at 2pm. Here is your updated Sunday schedule. We do not expect anymore delays or changes. And a huge thank you to all the staff and crew who busted their asses to make Douglass Park safe and…”

    Riot Fest · Block Club Chicago ↗
some voices

The late timing of the Sunday delay announcement was poor communication and wasted attendees' time.

  • “What the f— Riot Fest?! Why couldn't you decide this earlier before we showed up to stand in line?!”

    Fest-goer · Block Club Chicago ↗

“I'm suppose to get married at 1:30! Do we lose our slot or is it just being pushed back?”

Fest-goer, Attendee with Riot Fest chapel booking · Block Club Chicago ↗ · Sep 19

Riot Fest Festival organizersNational Weather Service Weather authorityCity of Chicago Municipal partner

Riot Fest cuts Saturday short, delays Sunday opening as storms drench Chicago
Block Club Chicago

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 2 pieces in two hours at Sep 19, 4 PM; 5 pieces over 5 days (3 articles · 2 posts) Sep 19, 4 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Sep 19, 6 PM — quietSep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 10 PM — quietSep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 4 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — quietSep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 20, 12 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Sep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 4 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quiet ◂ 1 earlier2
Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 8:50 AM ET
  1. 2

    Riot Fest releases updated Sunday schedule with headliners intact

    The festival released its adjusted day-three lineup with Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello, Insane Clown Posse, and Pierce The Veil still scheduled to perform. Local band Largemouth was moved from noon to 2:15 p.m.

    “What the f— Riot Fest?! Why couldn't you decide this earlier before we showed up to stand in line?!”
    — Fest-goer, Attendee · source
    1. 2 outlets Riot Fest Delays Sunday Opening Until At Least 2 P.M.

      first by Block Club Chicago, 3d ago · also Chicago Tribune

      1 more headline
  2. background

    Riot Fest delays Sunday gates to 2 p.m., three hours late — After rain pummeled the grounds overnight, Riot Fest announced Sunday gates would open at 2 p.m. instead of 11 a.m. Crews worked to prepare the rain-soaked fields. The announcement came just before the originally scheduled 11 a.m. opening, frustrating some attendees already in line.

  3. 1

    Afroman removed from lineup; headliners moved up and shortened

    Rapper Afroman's 8 p.m. set was cancelled. Bright Eyes was moved to the Radical Stage at 6:30 p.m. All headliners scheduled after 8 p.m. were moved to 6:30 p.m. at the latest, with all bands expected to end by 7:30 p.m.

    “In cooperation with our partners from the City of Chicago and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our fans, bands, and staff, Riot Fest will be ending early tonight due to inclement weather.”
    — Riot Fest, Festival organizers · source
  4. background

    Riot Fest announces early closure for Saturday due to rain and flooding risk — After on-and-off rain throughout the day, Riot Fest announced around 3:30 p.m. that it would end early Saturday. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch through Sunday morning and storms were expected around 9 p.m.

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