Star Events Shuts Down, Faces Lawsuit Over Festival Mismanagement

DOWNTOWN, Chicago — Star Events, a prominent event production company in Chicago, has closed its doors after nearly 30 years amidst allegations of financial misconduct and fraud. The shutdown, effective January 2025, left numerous summer festivals without a production team just weeks before the season.

Known for organizing major street festivals such as Taste of Randolph and Mayfest, Star Events claims to have raised over $25 million for local nonprofits. However, this reputation is now clouded by a lawsuit from the West Loop Community Organization, which accuses Star Events of underreporting revenue and mishandling ticket sales for the Taste of Randolph festival.

Following the announcement of its closure, several local festivals were left scrambling for new production teams. Organizations like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and the Rogers Park Business Alliance confirmed they received formal notification of Star Events’ closure in February. Many expressed their disappointment and conveyed their best wishes for the company.

Despite the hurdles posed by losing Star Events, groups such as the West Central Association have begun exploring partnerships with new event companies to ensure the continuity of their festivals. “This was a great opportunity for us to revisit our already successful events,” said Patti Doyle, executive director of the West Central Association.

At the same time, Star Events is embroiled in a legal battle with WLCO, which claims that the company’s mismanagement led to significant financial losses. The lawsuit details accusations of inflated expenses and a lack of transparency regarding funding.

Star Events CEO John Barry did not respond to requests for comment on the closure or the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the company’s website remains active, but no future events are listed for 2025.

Looking ahead, the Taste of Randolph festival, a staple in Chicago’s summer event calendar, will proceed this weekend with new partners after severing ties with Star Events. The festival will feature several headlining acts, indicating that, while the past is mired in controversy, the future holds new possibilities for Chicago’s vibrant festival scene.