Maldonado cites repeated damages to the park as his primary reason for opposing Riot Fest’s return, along with the festival’s layout not properly promoting businesses on the Puerto Rican populated area of Division Street near the park.
Riot Fest organizers have since released multiple statements responding to Maldonado’s claim, refuting claims of damage by detailing exact repairs and improvements made to the park through their funding, going so far as to post before and after photos to their website.
Riot Fest organizers cite the Chicago Park District’s approval of their repairs and points to longstanding drainage and infrastructure issues unrelated to the festival as the primary source of damage. Additionally, the festival’s organizers compare the damage to Lollapalooza and Grant Park, saying, “the park damage and follow-up repairs to Humboldt Park are no different with what happens every year at Lollapalooza.”
At this point, Riot Fest has invested $152,000 in the restoration of the park grounds.
Now, the Puerto Rican Festival & Parade Committee is siding with Riot Fest organizers to keep the festival in Humboldt Park.
In a statement released Wednesday by Riot Fest, the two organizations “have come together as one in an effort to combine resources, ideas and future community undertakings for the betterment of the 26th Ward and Humboldt Park.”
The two organizations will announce an event soon to “share their main mission,” which includes supporting local businesses and the park itself, fundraising for local programs and scholarships, promoting Puerto Rican culture and encouraging a clean up of the park.
1st Ward alderman Joe Moreno has also expressed support for Riot Fest remaining in Humboldt Park.
With the three-day festival still set for September, Riot Fest will have to receive a festival permit in the coming months in order to set up at Humboldt Park for its fourth consecutive year.
