The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors heard from both festival organizers and a nearby resident during their Monday, December 22nd meeting as they considered potential regulations for the rapidly growing Symmetry Music & Arts Festival, held in the county’s southwest corner.
Festival Growth
Now entering its second year, the Symmetry Music & Arts Festival has quickly established itself as a destination event for electronic music fans. Festival organizers Donald Revolinski and Ti Liptak, members of the event’s leadership team, told supervisors the festival has become North America’s leading showcase for the “wave” music genre.
The event has seen rapid expansion. During its debut in 2024, approximately 65 musical acts performed. By October 2025, the lineup grew to 102 acts, while ticket sales nearly tripled to 1,200 paying attendees. The two-day festival is held on an acreage at 2751 Eastwood Avenue, several miles outside of Libertyville.
Neighbor Concerns
While the festival is located in a relatively rural area, amplified music has been carried to nearby homes. Tim Nelson, who lives near the festival grounds, addressed the board, describing how late-night performances disrupted his family’s sleep and affected other neighbors.
Supervisors noted that the primary concern centered on noise levels, not the number of attendees. The issue was exacerbated during the most recent festival when strong winds delayed performances, pushing some acts as late as 3:30 a.m.
Proposed Solutions and Ongoing Disagreements
Revolinski and Liptak outlined several steps they plan to take to reduce noise impacts, including changes to stage placement and sound mitigation strategies. However, during the discussion, Nelson and the festival representatives were unable to agree on an acceptable cutoff time for performances.
Nelson advocated for a midnight shutdown of the main stage. Festival organizers proposed a 1:30 a.m. cutoff as a compromise and also referenced a 2 a.m. shutdown, noting that it aligns with bar closing times. They emphasized that nighttime performances and visual elements are central to the festival’s identity and competitiveness.
Nelson rejected an offer from organizers to provide hotel accommodations for his family during the event, calling the suggestion insulting and stating he should not have to leave his own property.
Festival organizers expressed frustration with the ongoing uncertainty, saying they are seeking a permanent resolution rather than returning to the board year after year. They also wanted to seek a solution quickly, as they have to start booking next year’s acts in the next month or two.
Community and Economic Impact
Liptak emphasized the broader benefits of the festival, stating, “I don’t care much about these festivals, I care more about the success of the community.”
According to figures provided by organizers, the 2025 festival generated an estimated $1.2 million in local economic impact, filling hotels and short-term rentals throughout the area. Organizers also noted the event’s predictable schedule, with the next festival planned for October 2–3, 2026.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spoke favorably about the event, noting that organizers successfully kept attendees contained on-site.
Potential Regulations
Assistant County Attorney Ed Kelly presented a draft noise ordinance for discussion. The proposal would set daytime decibel limits and stricter restrictions between 10:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Kelly clarified that the draft was provided as an example, based on ordinances from other Iowa communities, and did not reflect a formal recommendation.
Liptak warned that the proposed 60-decibel nighttime limit would effectively shut down the festival, noting that other counties with noise ordinances often allow higher levels until 3 or 4 a.m.
Supervisors stressed that any event permit or ordinance adopted would apply equally to all events countywide, including weddings and other gatherings—not just Symmetry.
Moving Forward
Revolinski announced plans to restructure the festival grounds before the next event, including possibly repositioning the main stage away from Nelson’s property and installing shipping containers as sound barriers.
Nelson expressed skepticism that these measures would sufficiently reduce noise and said he would continue advocating for earlier shutdown times.
Organizers committed to conducting sound tests during the summer, measuring decibel levels at Nelson’s driveway. They acknowledged, however, that low-frequency bass travels farther and may not register fully on decibel meters.
The board took no immediate action on an event permit or noise ordinance. Instead, supervisors plan to schedule a meeting between Nelson, festival organizers, and Assistant County Attorney Ed Kelly to work toward a comprehensive event permit addressing noise, safety, medical coverage, and emergency planning. No public hearing has been scheduled.
Supervisor Perspective
Following the meeting, Supervisor Lee Dimmitt shared his perspective on the issue, emphasizing the challenge of balancing competing interests.
“My thoughts on the event permit are trying to satisfy both sides of the equation,” Dimmitt said. “I completely sympathize about the noise and would be upset too. However, without zoning, as you heard this morning, anything we develop has to be implemented equally across the board.”
Dimmitt added that he hopes collaboration will lead to a workable solution.
“My hope would be that the involved parties can reach an amiable solution in conjunction with the County Attorney’s Office that would be satisfactory to all,” he said.
Supervisors reiterated that their goal is not to shut down the festival, but to ensure clear guidelines are in place while balancing economic benefits with neighbors’ quality-of-life concerns. Board members indicated they will continue monitoring how proposed changes affect sound levels before making further decisions.
