Forever Mine Festival brings Y2K nostalgia and Chicago house culture to Union Park

Forever Mine organizers set out to make Chicagoans yearn and love.

One stage evoked the nostalgia of summer drives down Lake Shore Drive soundtracked by Destiny’s Child, Lloyd and Monica. Nearby, pulsing lights and the basslines of DJs Slugo and Kaytranada transformed Union Park into a sprawling house party.

Saturday marked the first day of the Y2K-themed festival, with Sunday’s lineup featuring headliners including Kaytranada and Monica. But the inaugural Forever Mine Festival offered more than a lineup of 2000s R&B and house heavyweights. Held at Union Park in the West Loop, the festival centered local Black and brown DJs, vendors, artists and restaurants, creating a distinctly Chicago experience shaped by the city’s own cultural communities.

Festivalgoers dressed for the theme — cheetah print with bamboo hoop earrings, vintage basketball jerseys and jean shorts — putting on for the “99s and the 2000s.” Organizers said more than 10,000 tickets were sold across both days of the festival.

The small team behind the festival was led by Chicagoans Fernando Nieto and Miguel Torres. “We truly are a homegrown, by Chicago, for Chicago small business,” Nieto said. “The most Chicago thing about this festival is the food, the lineup, the vendors and the vibe.”

Aside from the headliners, organizers called on local culture drivers to bring the festival to life. Basia Pettis, who performs as DJ NDULGENCE, said one benefit of sourcing talent locally is hearing Chicago’s deep cuts.

“The fact that most of the DJs on the lineup are Chicago DJs is fire,” she said. “We got the babies out here, the aunties, the mamas, the sisters — everybody is definitely on 2000s vibes for sure.”

Kennard Redmond, also known as Kickn Kenny, DJs with Sounds of Chicago, an event series spotlighting local talent. He was one of three DJs who opened the festival’s silent disco, in which attendees don headsets and can listen to each DJ, who are playing simultaneously, via dedicated channels.

“I’m happy to be here with so many great DJs and so many 2000s artists that I grew up listening to,” he said.

Loads of local flavor

When selecting food vendors, organizers said they wanted to reflect Chicago’s food scene, bringing in Harold’s Chicken alongside local pizza and taco spots.

Kendall Robinson, a manager at Oak Park-based barbecue restaurant Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs, said being selected for the festival was a major opportunity for the business. “My grandfather has really been trying to get us here,” Robinson said. “I’ve been making TikToks a lot, and I just want our name to get out there more so we can expand.”

The festival marketplace also leaned into Y2K nostalgia, offering tooth gems, haircuts and old-school caricatures. Mike Bochat, co-founder of Big O Airbrush, an airbrush art and clothing company, said the return of Y2K culture has helped revive interest in the craft.

“I love the ’90s festivals,” he said. “We’re happy that we’re making money again and keeping the art form alive.”

Some of Chicago’s elected officials also made appearances, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett Jr.

Another attendee, Mariah Devon, said she could not remember another Chicago festival that celebrated Black and brown communities in the same way.

“I’m loving being brown in 2026,” she said. “I feel really happy. It feels like a prominent moment, and they’re showcasing that.”

But for attendee Kayla Williams, the festival’s significance went beyond nostalgia.

“This festival feels like it’s for the people — the Black people and people of color in Chicago,” Williams said. “Chicago’s a unique city where the communities that have been here forever still run this city, even with transplants here. Let’s not forget who really drives the culture.”