'I Want A Hug Too, Homie!' Scenes From The 2014 Gathering Of The Juggalos
By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 31, 2014 4:30PM
Every year photographer and writer Jim Kiernan attends The Gathering of the Juggalos to provide a view of the annual festival we here at Chicagoist, and others, couldn't possibly provide: a perspective rich with empathy and an open mind not targeted to ridiculing Insane Clown Posse and their fan base.
Following is Kiernan's report from this year's Gathering, which moved from Cave-in-Rock, Ill. to Ohio. We'll have a gallery of some of our favorite photos from this year's Gathering later.
Violent J and Faygo: two staples of The Gathering of the Juggalos. (Photo credit: Jim Kiernan, published with permission.)
I promise you, if you go the Gathering of the Juggalos you will be entertained.
I received a wide variety of reactions to the photos I’ve taken at the Gathering over the past few years, but no matter where you stand on underground culture, music, nudity, tattoos, body modifications or Juggalos, the simple fact is that if you go the Gathering and leave your pre-formed opinions behind, you will have the time of your life.
Juggalos call the Gathering Shangri-La, A.K.A. Heaven on Earth, and once you’ve been to it you’ll understand why. The event has a surreal feeling to it where anything can happen and no matter what you think you’re in for, you will always—always—end up being surprised. Each year is different and none more so than this year. After several years at Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, the Gathering up and moved to a new home this year Legend Valley, located in Thornville, Ohio. So, what was different?
For starters, the physical size of the event grounds was smaller, but that’s relative. The HogRock campground was 200-plus acres while Legend Valley is 120 acres. That’s still a lot of space and the main difference was that people were packed in much tighter throughout the grounds. This was good or bad depending on your viewpoint and how smelly the ninjas camping next to you were. But it also meant that it was much quicker to get around and required less walking to go from area to area and show to show.
Beyond the size, perhaps the single most noticeable difference was the infamous “Drug Bridge” was no more. In years past at HogRock there was a large bridge over a creek where dealers and users would converge to buy and sell all manner of potions, pills, plants and powders. Literally almost every drug, legal and illegal, was for sale, if you were so inclined. In the new spot at Legend Valley this is a thing of the past, which isn’t altogether a bad thing. The Drug Bridge represented true freedom and had an outlaw vibe, but it was also getting out of hand.
The takeaway is that if you’re in the market for pharmaceutical relief you would now have to dig around a bit more. Oh, and you also have to watch out for the Sheriffs who were patrolling the grounds. That’s another major difference. In the past, there was no police presence at the Gathering but this year they were there the whole time, and were very visible zipping around on off-road golf carts. Although they were a constant presence, they were unlike any police officers I’ve ever seen in action. They literally just patrolled and made sure people were safe, but without harassing or bullying. Notably, they didn’t hassle folks for smoking pot or drinking.
Another advantage with the new location was that this year’s Gathering was much closer to civilization. The nearest airport, Port Columbus International, is only 30 minutes away. There are a multitude of hotels within 10 miles of the site, and there was actual Wi-Fi and cellphone connections. This was a sharp contrast to the HogRock, which was over 2 hours from the closest airport, 45 minutes from the nearest hotel and you could forget about using your cellphone for anything other than bitch-slapping mosquitoes.
On to the party itself, or the Dark Carnival as it’s known to the Juggalo Brethren. Here are some of the highlights I witnessed in addition to the non-stop music (70 bands performed) and entertainment that began at noon and ran until 5 a.m. every day:
- I saw Cash Money Records Rap Star Caskey sign a Juggalo’s fake eyeball.
- I met and hung out with a midget stripper named Kat. She uses the term "midget" in her name and on her business cards. (Yes, she has business cards.)
- Witnessed a beautiful girl with giant metal meat hooks punched through her skin, suspended and swinging by her ribcage.
- Carnival Rides! Including a Ferris Wheel, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a Round-Up ride and other games and attractions. All were free with admission to the Gathering.
- Extreme body modifications including tons of heavily tattooed Juggalos, including faces & hands, all manners of pierced body parts, scarification, face paint, costumes, masks, etc.
- Bloodymania, Juggalo Championship Wrestling’s annual event which featured a Steel Cage wrestling match as well as a break-dancing robot wrestler and a one-legged wrestler.
- Huge pro-style fireworks going off in the crowd during concerts but set off by Juggalos.
- A Magical Juggalo Unicorn
- Juggalos launching balloons filled with Faygo soda at the stage during shows.
- Jesus Loving Juggalos (“We’re trying to bring something positive to the Gathering.”)
- A 450-pound guy getting a lap dance on stage while a different midget crowd-surfed. (Again, her word,)
- The infamous Faygo Armageddon at the end of ICP’s set.
Despite all of the craziness, perhaps the most amazing thing about the Gathering—what you don’t necessarily get from the pictures—is that this is the most accepting, down to earth, non-judgmental place you’ll ever visit. There is a vibe of freedom and brotherhood in the air which translates into the sharing of food, beverages (and other substances), as well as a very real kindness and happiness that doesn’t exist outside of this event. At least a half-dozen times, somebody high-fived me or dapped me, then followed it up with “nah, I want a hug too, homie.” That’s what the real vibe of this event is—being who you are, having fun, being kind and showing love.
Published with permission.