By Dave OBrien
Record-Courier staff writer
The sixth annual Gathering of the Juggalos begins today, with thousands of Juggalos and Juggalettes fans of the rap group Insane Clown Posse and other acts on the Psychopathic Records label streaming into Portage County from across the country and around the world.
This marks the third year in a row the Detroit-based label has brought its platinum-selling lineup to Nelson Ledges Quarry Park on S.R. 282. The event continues through Sunday evening, and last-minute tickets for the four-day festival still are available and may be purchased by logging on to JuggaloGathering.com.
Idolized by legions of Juggalos for their controversial lyrics, wild clown-painted antics, love for Faygo soda pop and just-dont-care attitude, ICP the duo of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope has sold millions of records throughout the years without major radio airplay or a major record label contract.
The group and fellow Psychopathic All-Stars Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Dark Lotus, ABK, Esham and Jumpsteady will perform, sign autographs and meet with fans throughout the weekend, with ICP taking the stage in Sunday nights Faygo-soaked finale.
Additional entertainment will be provided courtesy of musical acts such as rap acts Fat Joe, Mack 10, Tech N9ne, Ronin, former 2 Live Crew members Fresh Kid Ice and Fish N Grits, rockers Manntis, Powerman 5000 and Minikiss.
Other entertainment will be provided by hypnotist Bob Faith, comedian Charlie Murphy of Comedy Centrals Chappelles Show, and professional wrestlers from Juggalo Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance/Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Also on hand this weekend will be Ted Batchelor of Chagrin Falls, Northeastern Ohios Burning Man. Batchelor, who has become a minor celebrity in the region for lighting himself on fire for minutes at a time, currently holds the Guinness Book of Records world record for longest full body burn (without oxygen), with a mark of two minutes and 38 seconds set on July 17, 2004, during last years Gathering.
Food and other Juggalo-related events will top off this years Gathering.
As in past years, Psychopathic has agreed to reimburse Portage County approximately $50,000 to cover the cost of overtime for the Portage County Sheriffs Office, which will be conducting security operations and road patrols outside the venue.
Despite some initial negativity toward the Juggalos and their unique style of dress, loud music and the colorful lyrics of ICP and its fellow acts, Psychopathic Records Detroit-based attorney Mark Beginin has said the label and the Juggalos now have been embraced by the community.
Now after two years in one area which has never been done before weve now got a whole community exposed to this thing, which is interesting. You get a certain kind of validation, a certain understanding from a group of people who may not want to be a part of it, but kind of get it and may enjoy it from afar, Beginin said earlier this year. It goes from being angst to Oh, youre coming back! Thats so great!
Beginin said the record label has been embraced by (Nelson) Township and the community, including Garrettsville and Streetsboro, where many Juggalos have rented hotel rooms and patronized local businesses in past years.
In past years, the label has made charitable donations to local organizations. This year, the label donated $1,000 to Nelson Township, money intended to benefit the Nelson Community House on the Nelson Circle at S.R. 305 and Parkman Road.
Juggalos say they feel like they belong to a family when they attend the Gathering, and some residents of Portage County have embraced them as such during the past few years. While ICP and other acts rap about violence and sing lyrics laced with drug references that are not for everyone, Portage County residents have loosened up and welcomed their guests in past years.
The level of excitement and interest is definitely there, Beginin has said. The first year, the county and the area was planning for the devil to come to town ... This year, theres a lot of love (in Portage County) for The Most Hated Band in the World.
E-mail: dobrien@recordpub.com
Phone: (330) 296-9657