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Grant Park

All articles tagged with #grant park

sports6 days ago•15 min saved

NASCAR shelves Chicago street race for 2027, shifts focus to Joliet

NASCAR announced it will not run the Chicago Street Race in 2027 due to a $10 million funding gap, with plans instead to hold a Cup Series weekend at Joliet’s Chicagoland Speedway (June 25–27, 2027). Chicago officials say they’re open to a future NASCAR return as they maintain community programs and a downtown office, while Joliet capitalizes on a successful recent slate; the Chicago event previously drew large crowds and media value but did not become a sustained profit driver for the city.

via Chicago Tribune|

#chicago-street-race #chicagoland-speedway #grant-park

downtown6 days ago•18 min saved

NASCAR Skips Chicago Street Race for 2027, Heads to Joliet

NASCAR will not race on Chicago’s streets in 2027 after the city and the series couldn’t finalize a date; the Grant Park event is replaced by a return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet on June 25–27, with officials saying they remain open to a future Chicago return.

via Block Club Chicago|

#2027 #chicago #chicagoland-speedway

politics21 days ago•17 min saved

Grant Park mud and cleanup loom after Lollapalooza wraps

Lollapalooza 2026 ended with about 400,000 attendees at Chicago’s Grant Park, leaving the grounds waterlogged, torn grass, and mud in places, and prompting a substantial cleanup. The city logged 10 arrests and 67 hospital visits during the festival weekend. Under a 10-year contract, promoter C3 Presents is responsible for cleanup, trash removal, and associated restoration work, with the park district planning a walk-through the week of Aug. 10 to assess damage and finalize restoration plans. Past mud incidents have cost around $1 million to address, and while there was interest in funding longer-term park infrastructure through the festival, that was not included in the current agreement. Mayor Brandon Johnson labeled the weekend a success despite the mess, underscoring ongoing discussions about drainage and turf improvements in Hutchinson Field based on future funding.

via Chicago Tribune|

#chicago #cleanup #grant-park

entertainment22 days ago•53 min saved

Rain-Soaked Lollapalooza 2026 Breeds Spontaneous Mud-Wrestling Event

Heavy rain at Lollapalooza 2026 left Grant Park muddy, and an impromptu lesbian mud-wrestling bout organized by attendee Lindsey Perrin began after a semi-viral social post, turning a weather mishap into a surprising festival moment.

via Consequence of Sound|

#entertainment #festival #grant-park

arts-and-culture22 days ago•16 min saved

Front-Row Dash as Lollapalooza Opens, Fans Sprint for Best Spots

On Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, Lollapalooza gates opened at 11 a.m. and hundreds sprinted from the main entrances across Grant Park to secure front-row barricade spots, braving muddy ground after overnight rain; fans rushed to see headliners like Tate McRae at the T-Mobile stage, while VIP viewing has made barricades harder to reach since 2023, and security prepared for long lines as festivalgoers waited hours for prime views.

via Block Club Chicago|

#arts-and-culture #barricade #front-row

arts-and-culture23 days ago•26 min saved

Rain, Mud and Major Firsts Shape Lollapalooza’s Third Day

Rain delayed Lollapalooza’s third day in Grant Park, turning the grounds to mud but delivering standout moments as Olivia Dean and Jennie headlined, several acts were cut to protect instruments, an impromptu Lesbian Mud Wrestling match drew a large crowd, and 14 Chicago teens joined via a My Block, My Hood, My City and Airbnb partnership to experience the festival.

via Block Club Chicago|

#arts-and-culture #grant-park #lesbian-mud-wrestling

music23 days ago•25 min saved

Day 2 of Lollapalooza Elevates Chicago Talent with Surprises and Rain

Day two at Lollapalooza in Grant Park spotlighted Chicago artists like Lil M.U. and Free Joel on the Chicago Made stage, weather forced ponchos and delayed sets, Zara Larsson’s slot was pushed back, Lil Uzi Vert’s show was canceled then teased a late appearance, and the Smashing Pumpkins headlined with a surprise guest Olivia Rodrigo performing “Thirty-Three.” Slayyyter drew a big crowd after being moved to a main stage, while fashion-forward festivalgoers showcased bold, Coachella-inspired looks as attendees braved the rain. The festival continues through the weekend with ongoing rain, schedule tweaks, and high-energy performances.

via Block Club Chicago|

#charli-xcx #chicago #grant-park

entertainment24 days ago•7 min saved

Lollapalooza 2026 opens in Grant Park amid rain and mud

Lollapalooza 2026 opened at Grant Park in Chicago with rain causing delays and muddy grounds. Organizers postponed door opening, provided live updates on lineup and schedule, and outlined the bag policy; city officials noted weather shelters and coordinated transit adjustments as CTA/Metra boost service for the four-day event, while aftershows and weekend activities continue.

via ABC7 Chicago|

#bag-policy #entertainment #grant-park

entertainment24 days ago•9 min saved

Grant Park Lights Up: Lollapalooza Day One Delivers Surprises and Big Moments

Day one of Lollapalooza 2026 in Grant Park delivered a stacked, globe-spanning lineup with standout moments: Sombr’s rapid rise and a surprise appearance by 5 Seconds of Summer, SB19 making history as the festival’s first Filipino act, hometown favorite John Summit headlining, Wet Leg’s witty riffs, and Audrey Hobert’s charismatic performance. The city-wide energy offered a lakefront festival experience that resonates with Milwaukee fans while delivering Chicago-scale spectacle.

via OnMilwaukee|

#chicago #entertainment #grant-park

arts-and-culture25 days ago•24 min saved

Heat, Headliners and a Ferris Wheel Propel Lollapalooza Day One

Day one of Lollapalooza in Grant Park brought scorching heat, a pop-leaning lineup and several surprises: John Summit headlined the Bud Light stage with a high-energy EDM set (including a guest appearance by Absolutely), while Lorde closed the night on the T-Mobile stage with hits and a Charli XCX guest for “Girl, So Confusing.” The festival also featured acts like Five Seconds of Summer and SB19, and introduced new activations such as a free Ferris wheel and carnival games at the north entrance—albeit with some maintenance hiccups. Fireworks capped the evening as the festival continues through Sunday.

via Block Club Chicago|

#arts-and-culture #ferris-wheel #grant-park

crime2 months ago•1 min saved

Grant Park cross burning triggers hate-crime charges in Chicago

A 21-year-old Merlin Lu was arrested in Chicago after admitting to lighting a cross in Grant Park, and now faces four felonies (including two hate-crime counts) and four misdemeanors for arson, property damage and intimidating conduct. Prosecutors say Lu carried wooden slats to the park, built the cross and set it aflame, with two felony counts designated as hate crimes. Lu had previously claimed responsibility in a video and told NBC Chicago that the act was a solo protest against Donald Trump, while denying Ku Klux Klan ties. Photos of a person of interest circulated earlier, and Rev. Michael Pfleger offered a $10,000 reward. Lu is scheduled for a detention hearing Thursday.

via The Guardian|

#arson #chicago #crime

crime2 months ago•3 min saved

Grant Park Cross-Burning Case: Man Charged with Hate Crime in Chicago Protests

A 21-year-old man, Merlin Lu, admitted lighting a cross on fire in Grant Park during a protest against the Trump administration and is in custody on four felony counts (including two hate-crime charges plus arson and damage to city property) and four misdemeanors (breach of peace, reckless conduct, damage to property, cross burning to intimidate). Prosecutors describe it as a hate crime; a detention hearing is set as Lu maintains the act was a protest, not a hate crime, and says he has no KKK affiliation.

via NBC News|

#arson #chicago #crime

local2 months ago•1 min saved

Grant Park cross-burning sparks manhunt as FBI joins probe

Chicago police and the FBI are investigating a cross burned in Grant Park; a person of interest was photographed fleeing, no injuries were reported, and a $10,000 reward was offered as officials condemn the act and vow to keep public spaces safe.

via The Guardian|

#chicago #cross-burning #fbi

crime2 months ago•3 min saved

CPD releases image of person of interest in Grant Park cross-burning arson

Chicago police released a photo of a person of interest after a cross was set ablaze in Grant Park, with firefighters extinguishing the blaze. Authorities say they may have footage but have not confirmed its release, and the FBI is assisting in an arson/bias-motivated investigation. A mother and daughter filmed the incident, and Rev. Pfleger has offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.

via ABC7 Chicago|

#arson-investigation #bias-motivated-incident #burning-cross

world2 months ago•18 min saved

Chicago Delivers a City in a Box for Pope Leo XIV in Rome

Mayor Brandon Johnson led a Chicago delegation to Rome to present Pope Leo XIV with a gift chest of Chicago-themed items, including a Key to the City, Cubs gear, Chicago flag memorabilia, letters from parishioners, and other city keepsakes, and to invite the pope to celebrate Mass in Grant Park. The delegation will hold a private meeting in the Vatican Library to discuss immigration, AI regulation, and the pope’s encyclical, set against the pope’s broader international stances on conflicts and diplomacy.

via Block Club Chicago|

#brandon-johnson #chicago-gifts #grant-park