Wild Gathering of the Juggalos festival sees $6 face slaps, insane ‘queen of cheeks’ contest and a lot of G-Strings
THOUSANDS of scantily clad, horror-obsessed fans have come together for the 24th annual Gathering of the Juggalos Festival which has something for everyone from wet T-shirt contests to a Freakshow.
The festival takes over Thornville, Ohio — 37 miles east of Columbus — for four days every year, with the event happening this year from August 14 to 17.
The rap duo Insane Clown Posse has amassed a rabid fanbase of followers who are referred to as Juggalos.
ICP's members are Violent J, real name Joseph Bruce, and Shaggy 2 Dope, real name Joseph Utsler.
They are known to wear clown faces and outfits for their shows which inspired fans to match their icons.
"Juggalos" reportedly stems from the 1992 ICP song entitled The Juggla.
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The infamous, rowdy event takes place in Legend Valley, Ohio, which has more than 130 acres of grounds for the show and additional space for camping.
Every year, the theme changes, and this year the theme is horror.
In the past, the festival has been intergalactic and the Gathering of Dreams.
Juggalos and Jugallettes have dressed to the nines to embrace the theme this year, adorned with the classic face paint, tattoos, terrifying masks, and barely-there clothing.
The U.S. Sun also captured many of the festival-goers soaking each other in Faygo soda which is a Gathering tradition.
$6 FACE SLAP
Just about anything is welcome at the event.
They are also playing another show called The Red Show.
"When you hear the sharp pipes of a calliope winding its way into your brain, it's already too late. The music rises, growing ever more frantic, as a gang of redrum clowns take to the stage alongside two titans of bloody terror: Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, collectively known as the Insane Clown Posse!" described the show, per .
Juggalos maintain that they do not stand for violence. Instead, they've continuously said their community is about love and peace.
The group uses clown-like face paint and the tradition of spraying Faygo soda on each other as a way to grow closer.
DRUGS AND ARRESTS
In the past, the Gathering has made headlines due to drug overdoses and rowdy behavior.
In 2013, 24-year-old Cory Collins died at the festival after not feeling well.
He had reportedly been to the "drug bridge" which was infamous at the event.
Juggalos maintain that they do not stand for violence and want their community to be a place of love and peace.
The perplexing group was designated as a non-traditional gang as part of its National Gang Threat Assessment by the FBI in 2011.
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At the time there were about one million people who identified as Juggalos and Juggalettes.
ICP has attempted to file lawsuits and challenge the designation but continues to make music and hold its annual festival despite it.