Riot Fest kicks off busy Chicago weekend

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Riot Fest kicked off at Douglas Park on Friday as a busy weekend gets underway in Chicago.

The music is loud, but Riot Fest fans are mellow for the most part. James Aguado dresses up in his loudest suit for the occasion every year.

"Oh, I love Riot Fest. I've been coming five years strong, it's my vacation. Four days off from work, great music, fun, and you know, I like to dress up," Aguado said.

The festival called Humboldt Park home for the last three years. Neighbors pushed them out this year, forcing a move to Douglas Park in the Lawndale neighborhood.

Some neighbors - most notably, St. Anthony's Hospital across the street - raised objections, but the hospital abruptly dropped a lawsuit against organizers late last week. Festival-goers are grateful.

"It's very calm, very peaceful. People that love music will always just come have a good time and listen to music," said Cal Bailey, a Riot Fest fan.

Riot Fest is just one of a number of big events drawing hundreds of thousands to the city this weekend.

The Zac Brown Band plays at Wrigley Field Friday night and Venetian Night will draw fans to Navy Pier on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the Mexican Independence Day Parade is taking place around the same time as the Bears' home opener against the Packers at Soldier Field.

But Riot Fest fans however say there's no place they'd rather be.

"This is the one that we go to all the time, we don't go to any of the other festivals," said Jasmine Zeki, a Riot Fest Fan.