RiotLand at Riot Fest
Gopher Events mounted the inaugural RiotLand at Riot Fest, a new experiential zone within the iconic punk rock festival.
Riot Fest 2024 took place on September 20th- 22nd in Douglass Park, Chicago. Gopher Events collaborated with festival producers and creative studio Bucketlisters to bring the RiotLand village to life, anchoring it with unique, custom-built structures. Highlights included a fully functional QuikStop convenience store inspired by Kevin Smith's cult classic Clerks, the Riot Fest Historical Society—an on-site museum created in partnership with The Punk Rock Museum—and a wedding chapel offering real wedding ceremonies.
Gopher Events oversaw production and logistics for RiotLand’s experiential performers, which included wrestlers, burlesque artists, and a circus. We also managed all staffing and labor needs required to mount and operate the activation zone, including "Riotland after dark" complete with cryo jets and searchlights.
RiotLand's inaugural year surprised and delighted Riot Fest fans, with high attendance daily and wide traction on social media during and post-event.
