EDM fest Spring Awakening finds its 2019 home in Hoffman Estates. Headliners include ZEDD, REZZ, DJ Snake and … – Chicago Tribune

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After a tumultuous search for a new location, EDM festival Spring Awakening will take place June 7-9 at Poplar Creek at 59-90 Entertainment District in suburban Hoffman Estates with headliners ZEDD, REZZ, DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, Griz and DJ Illenium.
Since its debut in 2012, Spring Awakening — lovingly referred to as SAMF by its glitter and fur boot-garbed attendees — has called Soldier Field and Addams/Medill Park home. In 2016, organizers initally announced a move to Jackson Park at 6401 S. Stony Island Ave. after it was discovered the fest would have to relocate due to the Copa 100 international soccer tournament set to take place the same weekend. While the move was then confirmed by city officials, the Park District ultimately did not approve the event’s permits, forcing organizers to take the party to Addams/Medill Park, where it has remained for the past three years.
In November 2018, SAMF organizer React Presents announced the festival would move to the West side Douglas Park for its eighth installment in 2019 after extensive construction was announced for Addams/Medill Park, including the $25 million Exelon Student Recreation Center — which will include over 100,000 square feet of space boasting an indoor track, artificial turf field and basketball courts. The park will also gain a natural turf baseball field and an artificial turf field that can be used for baseball, football, lacrosse and soccer.
However after the news broke, 12th ward alderman George Cardenas called out React Presents for not consulting him, or any of the local organizations or resident groups that make up the community that surrounds the West Side park, which already hosts punk carnival Riot Fest and lent itself to popular hip-hop platform Lyrical Lemonade’s inaugural bash last year.
In a press release, Cardenas said, “I am not against music, and I am a big fan of other festivals, but this group did this without my consent and more importantly, without the community in mind,” adding; “Festival organizers who enjoy the support of my office and our community are good partners. They have outreach events to discuss safeguards, logistics and environmental impacts, they willingly donate to local not for profits, provide community job opportunities and participate in neighborhood holiday events. These groups respect our community and the process. I did not authorize their decision to relocate to Douglas Park, and will be taking further action to maintain 12th Ward residents’ concerns as the top priority.”
The alderman’s office stated that typically, festival organizers go through the process of “aldermanic approval as well as garnering community support” and claims React did neither. Cardenas says he contacted the Park District as well as other city officials to let them know that he has not, nor will he, authorize such a large-scale music fest to take place in the park. However, Chicago Park District spokesperson Irene Tostado had previously told the Tribune it was processing a Special Event Permit Application from React Presents for the festival — received on Nov. 2, just three days before organizers made the official announcement.
The Park District added that because the application was still being evaluated, such a permit had yet to be issued.
On Tuesday, Cardenas’ Director of Communications Liliana Escarpita confirmed that the alderman’s camp never heard from festival organizers after the press release was made public last November. In a statement, Cardenas added, “It’s the first I’ve heard of (the relocation). I’m glad they took their concert to a more suitable venue. Douglas Park would not have worked.”
At the time, festival organizers suggested the move to the much-larger West side location would come with “exciting new benefits” for attendees such as “including easier travel to/from the festival with just a two block walk to the CTA California Pink Line station, as well as more free street parking” — which Cardenas saw as “insulting” to neighborhood residents; telling the Tribune, “This is what they sell, again, without even considering what the impact is. You’re talking about 30-40,000 people a day and people won’t have access to their homes, parking in front of their homes. If you really think about it, it’s insulting if you’re a resident of the area. They (React Presents) say that without even considering what the options would be, regarding the parking, that’s crazy. It’s beyond the pale.”
In a statement, React Presents’ co-general managers Patrick Grumley and Matt Rucins said, “We are excited to announce that SAMF ’19 has relocated to Poplar Creek, a perfect festival location with a rich musical history – adjacent to the Sears Centre Arena, and by the former site of the Poplar Creek Music Theater. This decision was made with our fans in mind, in order to deliver them the best Spring Awakening at a site that will offer a superior experience. Thank you for supporting us and we look forward to seeing you at Spring Awakening 2019!”
Additionally, organizers say the 27 acres of land will allow for “bigger and better stages” and “experiential environments” including interactive art installations and carnival rides. Complimentary shuttles from nearby Metra stations to the festival grounds will be provided to fest-goers and, for the first time in SAMF history, the location will allow for festival parking onsite.
Tickets are on sale now. Spring Awakening’s full lineup will be announced Friday. For more information, visit www.springawakeningfestival.com.
The Tribune has reached out to React Presents and city officials for comment.
jroti@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @jessitaylorro
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