Police Shut Down 'Groovestock' — Unauthorized Concert in Rural Harvard

"Groovestock," an unauthorized concert that was supposed to be held in farm fields in rural Harvard over the weekend, was shut down by local police officials for not having proper permits, according to a McHenry County Sheriff's Department press release.

"Grovestock" was promoted by Bass Productions as being a weekend camping experience where a reported 1000 ticket holders would be entertained by more than 40 DJs on two stages, according to the news release.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office along with the Harvard Police Department found out about "The Rave" that was to be held on a wooded property near County Line Road and Flat Iron Road in Harvard from June 22 through June 24, according to the press release.

Police officials met with one of the promoters, Scott Lansford of Rockford, on the grounds where they found Lansford directing members of his stage set up crew onto the property, according to the news release.

Lansford told police officials the property owner gave them permission to host a camping trip on the property.

The sheriff's office learned from property owners that they were under the impression that 20 family and friends were going to be camping on the property over the weekend and were not aware that 1,000 people and a concert were planned over the three-day period, according to the news release.

Police officials checked with the McHenry County Health Department and McHenry County Planning and Development and learned that no permits were issued for a concert to take place on the property, according to the news release.

Property owners requested the sheriff's office remove all unauthorized people and their belongings from the property.

Sheriff's deputies located six people and three vehicles on the property who were identified as members of the set up crew and were in the process of putting up two stages, setting up generators and sound equipment and clearing out areas for a makeshift campground, sheriff's department officials said.

The sheriff's department did not make any arrests and the promoter and the set up crew removed all their equipment and left the property, according to the news release.

The sheriff's office patrolled the area over the weekend and did not find anyone trespassing on the property, according to the news release.

"In remaining proactive towards these types of events, we are protecting the general public and everyone involved. Without proper permits, and a health and safety plan we cannot effectively monitor the safety of anyone that might attend," said McHenry County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Andy Zinke in a press release. " Any event this large would tax the resources of police, fire and medical personnel should they be needed."