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Insane Clown Posse sanely cancels ‘Gathering of the Juggalos’ due to coronavirus pandemic

In this Jan. 8, 2014 photo members of rap-metal music group Insane Clown Posse appear at a news conference in Detroit. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

The rap-metal duo known as the Insane Clown Posse is doing the sane thing and cancelling its upcoming “Gathering of the Juggalos” for the first time after 20 years amid concern about the spread of the coronavirus.

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The horror clown-inspired duo from Detroit say they didn’t want to put anyone at risk by pressing forward with the event, which had been slated for Aug. 5 to 8 in Garrettsville, Ohio.

The long-running festival reportedly draws about 10,000 fans of the band, called “Juggalos,” each year. These fans paint their face like monstrous clowns and indulge in rowdy celebration throughout the weekend-long annual festival.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have no choice but to postpone the Gathering until next year,” the duo of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope wrote in a statement on Twitter.

They say they made the decision in collaboration with the venue hosting the event.

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“We REFUSE to risk even ONE Juggalo life by hosting a Gathering during these troubling times,” the Posse wrote in their statement.

The Insane Clown Posse were slated to headline the festival, which included several other bands under the Psychopathic Records label.

The band is just the latest act to cancel its summer plans due to the outbreak, which has essentially shuttered all live music events in North America.

“We will endure this together as a Family,” the band wrote. “The Gathering of the Juggalos will return in 2021 stronger, bigger, and better than ever!”

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.

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Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.

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