Beer, baby goats, fae, and all manner of entertaining oddities! The Feast of the Goat Queen, organized by Rabid Brewing, might be the most unique gathering in the area.
Celebrating Floralia, an ancient Roman festival, with costumes, new beers, live goats, live music, food vendors, exotic entertainment and an artisan market filled with what organizers have explained as the “natural, mystical, and magical,” this event promises a day of whimsical fun starting at noon on July 27.
Feast attendees can enjoy a trio of new sours from Rabid and explore an artisan market featuring 29 carefully curated artists from the Chicago area and beyond.
Artist Annabelle Popa, the creator of Rabid’s captivating and transcendent beer labels, has been a part of the party since the beginning. Popa will have art for sale at the event and plans to create a large chalk mural for fans to enjoy.
The festival boasts an array of entertainment, including performances by Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby and bands like Won’t Stay Dead, Chicago’s horror-punk sensation, and self-proclaimed ska gods Land Before Tim.
From 2 to 6 p.m., guests can interact with baby goats from Rabid’s partner, Deer Creek Farms, enhancing the fest’s magical atmosphere. The baby goats have grown accustomed to human interaction from their experience with yoga practitioners.
The origins of the Feast of the Goat Queen are tied to the local brewing scene, inspired by the famous Darklord festival hosted by Three Floyds in Munster.
“We knew we had something really unique then,” said Raiye Rosado, co-owner of Rabid Brewing. “It’s grown beyond my wildest dreams.”
Now in its fifth year, the feast started in 2018 as a small gathering and has since grown into a unique celebration attracting a diverse crowd. After a hiatus during the pandemic, it resumed in 2022. The festival celebrates the ancient feast of fertility and agriculture with a modern twist.
“The fae, or faeries, reference a broad spectrum of creatures from folklore across various cultures, including leprechauns and other mystical beings,” explained Rosado. “We’ve always described our event as a Ren Faire for the fae folk, welcoming a wide range of creative costumes from Renaissance to steampunk.”
Attendees are invited to dress in their weirdest fantasy garb or cosplay outfits, but Rosado stressed that shorts, jeans and T-shirts are equally acceptable attire.
Rosado and her husband, Tobias Cichon, are the owners of Rabid Brewing, and they have recently started another new venture. Rogue Wrestling Entertainment is an addition to the festival for 2024.
“Tobias has been working on this for a couple of years, and we’re excited to debut it at the festival. It’s going to set the stage for future storylines and mythologies,” Rosado said.
In addition to Rogue Wrestling’s exciting debut performances, the day will feature street magic by Wandering Wizard Norman Basile and various other exotic arts. As evening falls, a fire dance ritual and burlesque performances will add to the enchanting ambiance.
“Our community does a phenomenal job of throwing family-focused festival offerings. We have enjoyed participating in them. They’re amazing,” Rosado said. “I think the gap that we fill is making space for the weirds if you will; I mean, we call ourselves the most endearingly weird fest in the Midwest. And we mean it.”
What would a feast be without food? Many food vendors will be serving their fare, but guests should expect to find something other than traditional summer food like a hamburger or a hotdog at this festival. “We see the most vegan, vegetarian-friendly, and gluten-free people at an event like this,” Rosado said. “So we will have plenty of offerings to meet their needs and the food options should make everyone happy.”
Another first for this year, Rabid Brewing is partnering with the Homewood Arts Council, Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby, and Windy City Cannabis to bring the festival to life. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased on the Rabid Brewing website. VIP tickets are already sold out.
