This story was written for BreakingVoices but never saw publication.

Despite the fact that USA Today named Riot Fest the number one of their 10Best Readers’ Choice: Best Music Festivals, Alderman Roberto Maldonado does not want it returning to the 26th ward this year.

Riot Fest is a three-day music festival and carnival. It was started in Chicago in 2005 and laid roots in Humboldt Park in 2012.

Last fall, heavy rains over the weekend, coupled with high festival attendance, left the park badly damaged. This is one of the leading examples Maldonado is using to show that the festival should not return to the neighborhood.

“The festival has outgrown the capacity of Humboldt Park,” said Maldonado.

In a statement released on May 13, Riot Fest claimed: water accumulation was caused by neglected drainage system maintenance; the festival made repairs that went beyond their contract requirements; and the repairs were done at the direction of the Chicago Park District.

People whose lives and jobs center around the park were denied access during the festival and unable to work.

William Rivera has lived in Humboldt Park his whole life and owns a food truck in the park that was closed because of the festival.

Both Rivera and his employees were out of work during this time. When they were allowed back in, Rivera said the park looked like a war zone.

Walking around the park, he pointed out the damage that was done, “There was literally a sign for Riot Fest that was sitting right there for about three months. There were cigarette butts… They broke that water fountain, they broke two benches.”

Kara Peacock, a Humboldt Park resident of two years, takes her dog for walks in the park. She said, “This is a beautiful park and the way it destroys the park, with the rain, it takes forever to fix that.”

According to Rivera, it was so bad that no one came to the park even after Riot Fest packed up. Rivera believes Maldonado is doing the right thing, “He’s doing his job. He’s being our voice.”

Maldonado also said, “I’m doing what I think is best for my community.” Noting that Humboldt Park is a family oriented park with residential surroundings, he mentioned there are softball and football leagues held in the park that were cancelled because of the conditions.

Attendance for Riot Fest last year was higher than ever. Maldonado said, “I never anticipated the depth of destruction of those organized activities.”

Speaking of “those organized activities,” Puerto Rican Festival is a beloved Humboldt Park event that draws large crowds like Riot Fest, but they are allowed to remain in the neighborhood.

Riot Fest recently released a statement saying they are joining with Puerto Rican Festival & Parade Committee to “come together as one in an effort to combine resources, ideas and future community undertakings for the betterment of the 26^th Ward and Humboldt Park.”

Consultant and producer for Puerto Rican Festival, Hank Zemola, said this information is misleading. According to Zemola, Riot Fest is working with past board members who were voted out and have, essentially, refused to step down. He said, “They’ve been operating outside of their board’s charter and rules and regulations for about a year.”

Zemola sees Riot Fest and Puerto Rican Festival as a strange pair. “Puerto Rican Fest has been going on for years and it’s community based and it’s a celebration of culture… I think the only pairing between the two is maybe Riot Fest’s last attempt.”

On the other hand, Zach Able, a resident of 13 years, said, “It’s a double standard that they kick out Riot Fest and let other festivals stay here… all festivals have their challenges.”

Michele Mendez has live in Humboldt Park for all 43 years of her life. She compared the two festivals and the damage they do to the park saying, “When we have Puerto Rican Festival or when we have anything that goes on in the park, half the time, they don’t even bother to clean it up.”

Riot Fest has managed to collect thousands of signatures to show support for keeping the festival in Humboldt Park. However, these signatures are from area supporters, which might not mean that they are specific to Humboldt Park.

Neighborhood association president Glenn Brettner is a resident of 20 years and said there is actually a large amount of support in the community for Riot Fest. “The people that don’t want it, they have some kind of political agenda.”

According to Brettner, the festival brings people to Humboldt Park from all walks of life, which is good for the neighborhood.

In the past, Riot Fest has had a positive relationship with the community. The festival is known for donating $249,000 local charities and providing Humboldt Park residents with free tickets. On May 13, the festival announced it would be donating $30,000 to open the beach in Humboldt Park.

The festival even donated to Maldonado’s re-election this year. He confirmed that he received help from Riot Fest during the election.

“I would like to think they helped me and donated money to me because they believe I am doing a good job,” said Maldonado. “I don’t have a bad relationship with them. I’m just reacting to what the majority of the residents in my ward want.”

Riot Fest founder Mike Petryshyn was not available for comment.

On March 12, Riot Fest received a conditional approval for the event, which is scheduled for September. Early-bird tickets for the music festival started selling last December.