FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — Fairview Heights police are investigating after a large fight shut down the Midwest WingFest early on Saturday night.
According to organizers, Midwest WingFest in Fairview Heights draws more than 25,000 people every year. The festival fills up the St. Clair Square parking lot for two days with dozens of booths and live music, and proceeds benefit local combat-wounded veterans and fallen heroes.
Organizers said this year's festival was going well until the last few hours of the event.
Fairview Heights Police said as soon as the sun went down Saturday, minors started showing up without their parents and were turned away, but some jumped the fences.
Police said in a statement, "Juvenile fights happened in the parking lot outside of the fence line. Several gunshots near the Firestone parking lot were heard by multiple people."
Organizers told 5 On Your Side this was the first time something like this had happened in 16 years and they go through extensive measures to keep people safe.
A statement shared to the festiival's Facebook page said, "When it became clear that we would not be able to safely control the entirety of the situation, we coordinated with Fairview PD to make the decision to close early."
Police said they had to call in other departments and ended up arresting two people for fighting. In addition, several juveniles were pepper sprayed in the incident. They said organizers pay the city to have extra police officers at the event and place cameras throughout the space.
The statement from Midwest WingFest said, "We are grateful that no one was seriously injured last night and everyone got home safe."
While the event is over, there is still a way to give back. Click here to learn more about donating to the cause.