Officials announced that a carnival set for later this week in Huntley has been canceled following a carnival in nearby Lake in the Hills being shut down due to fights and large crowds.
The Village of Huntley and Huntley Police Department in a joint statement Tuesday afternoon announced the upcoming carnival organized by Citius Illinois Baseball and More Brewing has been canceled.
The carnival was originally scheduled to begin on May 3 and end on May 5. It was scheduled to be hosted at More Brewing.
The statement said the cancelation was due to “logistical and safety concerns.”
On Saturday, the Lake in the Hills Police Department responded around 6:28 p.m. to the Spring Carnival event in the 100 block of North Randall Road in Lake in the Hills.
Lake in the Hills Police Department Public Information Officer Amanda Schmitt said several 911 calls were received for numerous fights at the carnival and surrounding parking lot on the corner of Algonquin Road and Randall Road.
Lake in the Hills police officers responded to the scene and found very large crowds and fights.
“It was determined that it would be in the best interest for the safety of all attendees to shut down the carnival,” Schmitt said.
Lake in the Hills police officers along with officers from surrounding jurisdictions dispersed the crowds and worked to clear the area.
The Algonquin, Huntley and Crystal Lake police departments along with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
No injuries were reported to police related to the incident.
Schmitt said there is no information or evidence to corroborate the social media statements reporting shots fired or stabbings during the incident.
“As such, any social media statements regarding a shooting, shots fired, or stabbing as related to this incident is considered unfounded at this time,” Schmitt said.
The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce and Lake in the Hills Police Department worked together and decided not to reopen the carnival this past Sunday in the “interest of continued public safety.”
The Spring Carnival is hosted by Windy City Amusements and sponsored by the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce. The event began last Friday.
“The unexpected surge in attendance, fueled by the beautiful weather, unfortunately led to overcrowding,” the chamber of commerce said in a statement.
“Additionally, a significant number of unchaperoned teenagers, with intentions to disrupt and cause trouble, descended upon the Carnival and shopping centers in the area,” the statement said.
The chamber of commerce extended its apologies to nearby businesses that were impacted by the unruly individuals.