(Chris Weber/H-F Chronicle)
The Feast of the Goat Queen, organized by Rabid Brewing, proved once again to be a delightful spectacle of costumes, new beers, live goats, live wrestling and music, exotic entertainment and more.
On July 27, attendees of all sorts reveled in the whimsical atmosphere outside Rabid Brewing on Bretz Drive in Homewood, enjoying new beers from the local brewer and exploring an artisan market featuring wares ranging from beautiful crystals to handcrafted swords.
Entertainment was abundant, with performances by Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby, Wandering Wizard Norman Basile, and various other exotic arts. As evening fell, a fire dance ritual and burlesque performances added to the enchanting ambiance.
Tobias Cichon, who co-owns Rabid Brewing with his wife Raiye Rosado, premiered Rogue Wrestling Entertainment at the event. This new addition to the festival debuted with exciting matches as wrestlers battled for a “gift of immortality” from the Goat Queen herself.
(Chris Weber/H-F Chronicle)
“My favorite part is inviting everyone to dress up,” Rosado said. “It started as fairyland creatures and the like, but now we see people dressed up in all kinds of garb here, and we love them all.”
Guests at the event interacted with baby goats from Rabid’s partner, Deer Creek Farms, adding to the fest’s magical atmosphere. Accustomed to human interaction from yoga sessions at the farm, the goats charmed everyone they met.
Now in its fifth year, what started in 2018 as a small gathering has evolved into a vibrant celebration attracting a diverse crowd. After a pandemic-induced hiatus, it resumed in 2022, blending ancient traditions of the Floralia, an ancient Roman festival of fertility and agriculture, with a modern twist.
This year’s festival also saw Rabid Brewing partnering with Homewood Arts Council, Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby and Windy City Cannabis to bring the event to life.
