CHICAGO — Sheila McNary had a somewhat complicated relationship with Riot Fest over the years. The 71-year-old North Lawndale resident lives across the street from Douglass Park.

When the festival moved to the park in 2015 — following neighbor complaints at its previous location in Humboldt Park — McNary said it almost felt like the community was being invaded by unfamiliar music and traffic congestion. McNary and her husband left to stay in a hotel for the weekend.

“When they first came, it was more or less like a group coming to profit from a big festival in the community that they’re not from, the music was not from the community,” said McNary, who is involved with the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council.

The rock, punk and hip-hop festival has long been a source of controversy for the West Side park, which is surrounded by North Lawndale, a predominantly Black neighborhood, and the largely Latino Little Village. It prompted a movement to evict the huge crowds that activists said trashed the green space, while cutting off access to half the park. Two other large music festivals previously held in the park also moved, while the free Juneteenth Village Celebration will be held Saturday.

But over time, McNary said the relationship improved, with more community involvement, free local vendor spaces, and jobs. When she learned the festival was moving to southwest suburban Bridgeview this September, McNary said she was shocked.

Riot Fest officials arrived at the decision after years of controversy. They had tried to appease activists with mentorships, jobs, coat and book drives, and donations.

The announcement of the move Wednesday came just before the Chicago Park District was set to consider allowing the festival for another year, which became moot.

Riot Fest organizer Mike Petryshyn, known as Riot Mike, posted an online statement blaming the departure “solely” on the Park District. “Their lack of care for the community, you, and us, ultimately left us no choice,” he said.

The Park District issued a statement in response that it “worked tirelessly to strike a balance between community interests and our Special Events organizers.”

“Community voices are critical to our decision-making process,” the statement added, “which is why a comprehensive community engagement process is a necessary component in evaluating a permit application.”

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