AS LOLLAPALOOZA RETURNS TO CHICAGO THIS WEEKEND, THE CITY ENCOURAGES FANS TO ENJOY PREMIER MUSIC FESTIVAL SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY

Backpacks prohibited, street closures in place, large crowds expected for four-day fest featuring Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Twenty Øne PilØts, The Strokes, Tame Impala, Flume, The Chainsmokers, J Balvin and many more popular artists

Now in its 28th year, the Lollapalooza Music Festival returns to Grant Park on Thursday, Aug. 1, drawing hundreds of thousands to Chicago’s lakefront for the highly anticipated four-day event featuring over 170 performances on eight stages. As the festival gets underway, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages those attending to enjoy a fun and safe event by adhering to safety and security precautions in place. In addition, motorists, pedestrians and residents in the area are reminded of the street closures and traffic impacts throughout the weekend.

“Lollapalooza is a world-class event that draws music fans from around the world to enjoy performances against the backdrop of our world-class skyline,” said OEMC Executive Director Rich Guidice. “As always, public safety is our top priority for the event, and the City works year-round with the organizers to plan and prepare for the safety and security of attendees, performers and staff at the festival while ensuring a fun and memorable experience.”

FESTIVAL ENTRY

Festival entrances: Concert-goers can enter the park at the main entrance at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive, or at the north entrance at Columbus and Monroe St.

Entry/Re-Entry: Attendees should have wristbands securely fastened on their right wrist and visible to security as they enter the festival grounds. All ticketholders are allowed to re-enter the festival three times per day after initial entry. You must be scanned upon exit at the gate in order to re-enter that same day. Ticketholders and their belongings will be searched upon entry and every re-entry to the park.

SAFETY AND SECUIRITY MEASURES

 Security and Enforcement:  Each year, security measures are refined and implemented for the event’s layered security plan, which include elements that are seen and unseen, in addition to an enhanced security and law enforcement presence inside and outside the festival. In addition, several safety measures are in effect for the safety of everyone entering the event. Upon entry to the festival grounds, event security will be searching all bags, administering magnetometer screening and conducting pat-downs. As always, underage drinking is not allowed and the ordinance will be strictly enforced.  Attendees are reminded that if they see something suspicious to say something to on-site security personnel or call 9-1-1.

Bag Search and Express Lanes: Bags will be restricted to small purses, totes and drawstring bags only. Bag size may not exceed 14” x 11” 5” or 30 linear inches in total and must have no more than one singular pocket or opening. Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited. Those that DO NOT bring a bag can enter through the No Bag Express Lane. Those that DO have a bag must enter through the Bag Lane and should expect delays as bags are open for inspection. ALL bags will be searched before entry. check the list of permitted items in advance or at the gate on www.lollapalooza.com.

Prohibited Items: No liquids will be allowed into the event. However, patrons can drink water while in line, as long as the container is empty prior to entry.  Empty containers and hydration packs are allowed into the event but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir. Free water will be provided at Hydration Stations inside the venue, which have increased by 40% over the last two years in response to this security change. For more information on prohibited items, see the website at www.lollapalooza.com/information

Lockers + Lost and Found: Do not leave items unattended and be mindful of your belongings at all times. Lockers are available for rent just south of the main entrance off Congress. Lost and Found is located at the Info Tent at Columbus and Congress, and attendees can search for missing items at www.lollapalooza.com/lostfound.

Medical Safety Resources: Organizers are again complementing the emergency medical resources available at the event with student Safety Team members. The EMT and medical students serving as the Safety Team will be outfitted in light blue t-shirts and will be located throughout Grant Park to seek out patrons who may be in need and help expedite connection with the mobile medic teams so that they get to patients quicker.

Pole Locations:  For public safety, attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area to help them reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency.

Weather Conditions: At this point, the National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the upper 70s to mid-80s throughout the weekend. Cooling buses and water stations are available throughout the event and fans are encouraged to bring empty water bottles to the event and utilize the free water refilling stations around the park to avoid dehydration.

Weather Shelters:  Attendees should be aware of the emergency evacuation shelter sites located in the Grant Park North, Grant Park South and Millennium Lakeside Garages. The evacuation shelter sites can be accessed through the vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue. Blue and white signage is posted to direct people to designated extreme weather shelters for extreme conditions such as lightning, tornadoes, hail storms or other weather events. In the event of a weather evacuation, all attendees should follow the instructions of public safety officials. Shelter locations will be opened only in cases of extreme weather to ensure the safety of event patrons. For a map of shelter locations and additional safety information, visit lolla.com/safety.

 TRAFFIC IMPACTS + TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

 Street Closures: Beginning Monday, July 29, Columbus Drive will be closed from Monroe Street to Roosevelt Road. Lake Shore Drive or State Street can be used as alternate routes around the festival crowds and closures.  In addition, Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard are closed from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive and Ida B. Wells Drive (including the Circle) is closed from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive.  Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Lake Shore Drive will be closed through Friday, Aug. 9. Organizers will re-open Jackson Boulevard from Columbus Drive to Lake Shore Drive for Thursday morning rush hour on Aug. 8 and will implement intermittent closures after rush hour concludes on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 for equipment load-out. Traffic control aides will be deployed to facilitate traffic around the area.

 ADA Drop-Off:  ADA drop-off is located at the eastbound curb lane of Monroe from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive.

Public Transportation:  As for any large scale event, public transportation is encouraged and both CTA and Metra are providing additional service for the event. For more information, visit CTA at www.transitchicago.com  and www.metrarail.com.

Rideshares, Taxi Cabs and Car Service: Geofencing parameters will be in effect adjacent to the event for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. For those traveling to and from the event by rideshare, taxi or car service, drop offs/pick-ups will be prohibited between 14th Street to Wacker Drive and State Street to Lake Shore Drive.

OEMC Traffic and Weather Notifications:  The public is encouraged to follow OEMC on Twitter via the handle @ChicagoOEMC or register for free emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org. In case of emergency, attendees will also receive safety messages from the official Lollapalooza Mobile App, video screens at four stages, video screens on the Info Tower by Buckingham Fountain, as well as audio announcements broadcasted from all stages, and real-time updates on Lollapalooza’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

OEMC works closely with the City’s public safety departments, the Chicago Park District and C3 Presents to plan well in advance of the popular event to ensure the safety of performers, music fans and residents. Participants are urged to be familiar with the surrounding area and to heed warnings, if need be.  For a map of festival grounds and emergency information, as well as entertainment details, visit the Lollapalooza website atwww.lollapalooza.com.

 

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