The Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park this weekend, bringing acts like Phoebe Bridgers, Kim Gordon, Flying Lotus and Animal Collective to Union Park for three days of outdoor music. Like most other festivals, you'll need proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry—but Pitchfork's negative test policy is the strictest one we've seen at any recent summer music festival, requiring that results be obtained within 24 hours of entry (other fests have provided a 72-hour window). That means that unvaccinated attendees will likely need to get tested daily to enter all three days of the festival.
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Thankfully, organizers have made it somewhat simple to get tested, which is particularly important due to the nationwide shortage of over-the-counter rapid tests. Testing company Curative has set up a mobile COVID-19 testing site just north of Union Park, in a parking lot at 210 N Justine Street. The testing site will be open from 8am–8pm on Friday, September 10; Saturday, September 11; and Sunday, September 12 (all three days of Pitchfork Music Festival), offering rapid antigen tests that typically deliver results in 15–30 minutes.
We spoke with a Curative customer service representative who told us that those with appointments made through the Curative website will be guaranteed tests throughout the weekend. The site at 210 N Justine Street will also accept walk-up guests without appointments, but they'll only be given tests if someone with an appointment is a no-show. So, if you need a negative test to enter Pitchfork Music Festival this weekend (or you want to check your status as a precaution), you should book your appointments ASAP to secure your tests.
For those who are fully vaccinated, don't forget to bring along a copy of your vaccine card (the original, a photocopy or a digital photo will do the trick) along with a photo ID that matches the name on your card. Packing a mask might also be a good idea, especially if you plan to spend a couple of hour browsing the LPs for sale in the CHIRP Record Fair tent.