MORE IN THE HILLS, Ill. (CBS) — People wearing decorative masks will not be at the Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest in the northwest suburb of Lake in the Hills this summer.
Event organizers said that, at the village’s discretion, decorative masks that cover most of the face, such as skeleton, ski and character masks, will not be allowed at the event.
Organizers say the decision was made with public safety in mind.
This rule does not apply to medical masks for health purposes, which are permitted.
“Our club and its members have always done and will always do our best to keep this a safe event for all who participate and attend.” The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills reported this on Facebook.
The Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest is scheduled for Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14 at Lake in the Hills’ Sunset Park. It will feature an assortment of nationally known rib grillers and barbecuers, and a full carnival with games and rides at the halfway point.
The event will also feature performances from Simply Elton, featuring Elton John impersonator Brian Harris; cover band Hallo Weekend; Radio Gaga, a production that channels an imaginary collaboration between Freddie Mercury and Lady Gaga; Jefferson Starship, which once housed the Jefferson Airplane icons and still features founder David Freiberg; and 1970s disco and funk tribute band The Disco Circus, among others.
In April, a separate carnival in Lake in the Hills was shut down due to unruly crowds.
Algonquin police said people were crossing the road and running from the carnival near Randall and Algonquin roads on Saturday, April 27. Several fights broke out during the carnival, but there were no reports of gunshots or injuries.
The carnival was scheduled to reopen the next day, but was not allowed to do so after a decision by the police chief and the village of Lake in the Hills.
