A first-time full Riot Fest attendee shared a touching story on Reddit that perfectly captures the supportive spirit of the Riot Fest community.
While grabbing a bite at a small-town Indiana deli, the attendee met Lorene—the aunt of Erin, partner to Riot Mike, one of Riot Fest’s co-founders. After exchanging addresses for a festival shirt, the attendee and their boyfriend were surprised with complimentary three-day wristbands, accompanied by a handwritten note from Lorene explaining their guest list access.
The festival community quickly rallied around this story, praising the generosity and close-knit atmosphere that Riot Fest prides itself on. Comments highlighted the perks of guest wristbands that often come with VIP or Deluxe upgrades, including:
- Access to open bars
- Flushable, air-conditioned restrooms
- Potential side-stage viewing opportunities
For context, Riot Fest offers multiple ticket tiers catering to diverse festival-goers:
- General Admission: Entry to all GA areas, 90+ artists across 5 stages, carnival rides, plus food and beverage vendors.
- VIP: Adds unlimited re-entry, dedicated entrance, VIP Lounge access with exclusive food and bar, air-conditioned restrooms, and private locker rental with charging stations.
- Deluxe: Includes VIP benefits plus prime main stage viewing, complimentary open bar in a plush lounge, snacks, Wi-Fi, personal guest service, and private lockers.
- Deluxe+: Builds on Deluxe with elevated viewing platforms, fully stocked exclusive bar, luxury seating and shaded areas, merch concierge, personal concierge, daily catering (including vegan options), private air-conditioned restrooms, and a massage therapist onsite.
This unexpected generosity from a Riot Fest family member underscores the community’s robust, welcoming vibe—setting a positive tone as the festival’s September dates approach. Keep your eyes peeled for more Riot Fest stories and updates as the event nears!
Source: r/riotfest