leaving_lolla

Lollapalooza shut down due to "dangerous weather"

UPDATE: Lollapalooza reopens gates at 6pm (Chicago time)

1000s evacuating Lollapalooza (via BVChicago Instagram)
Lolla

evacuation from above (photo by knnyfrsh)
Lollapalooza

Due to an approaching storm and warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS), Lollapalooza organizers have suspended the festival until further notice. Festival-goers are being evacuated from Grant Park and are being directed by staff and the Chicago Police Department to pre-established underground evacuation and shelter sites along Michigan Avenue.

The three emergency evacuation shelters are the Grant Park North, Grant Park South and East Monroe Street Garages. All can be entered through vehicle entrances on Michigan Avenue.

Lollapalooza officials are continuing to coordinate with the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to monitor weather conditions and determine when the park is safe for festival-goers to return.

“Our first priority is always the safety of our fans, staff and artists,” said Shelby Meade, communications director for C3 Presents, the promoter behind Lollapalooza. “We regret having to suspend any show, but safety always comes first.”

This announcement definitely came as a surprise to the tens of thousands of people in Grant Park, who are evacuating as we speak. Meanwhile, C3 are “working w/ our team & city officials to survey the park after the storm to determine if it is safe for festival goers to return today.” Stay tuned.

UPDATE: At 5:43 (Chicago time), Chicago journalist Greg Kot says “Possible reopen at 6 ish is latest word but still raining. A remote entrance gate open, apparently was never closed #lolla”

UPDATE: Lollapalooza reopens gates at 6pm (Chicago time)

Check out our pictures from yesterday, the first day of Lolla, HERE.

Check out video people took from above, below…