Jefferson County supervisors heard from both organizers and neighbors of the Symmetry Music & Arts Festival during their Monday, December 22nd meeting, as they considered potential regulations for the rapidly expanding event held in the county’s southwest corner.
Festival Growth
The Symmetry Music & Arts Festival, now in its second year, has established itself as a major destination for electronic music enthusiasts. According to Donald Revolinski and Ti Liptak, members of the festival’s leadership team who attended Monday’s meeting, the event has become North America’s leading showcase for “wave” music.
The festival’s expansion has been dramatic. In its 2024 debut, approximately 65 musical acts performed for attendees. By October 2025, that number had grown to 102 acts, with ticket sales jumping nearly threefold to 1,200 paying customers. The two-day event takes place on an acreage located at 2751 Eastwood Avenue, a few miles outside of Libertyville.
Neighbor Concerns
While the festival site is situated in a relatively isolated area, the amplified music carries to nearby residences. Local homeowner Tim Nelson spoke to the board about how the late-night concerts have disrupted his family’s sleep and affected other neighbors as well.
Supervisors noted that the main concern centered on noise levels rather than attendance numbers. The issue became particularly acute during this year’s event when strong winds forced organizers to delay performances, resulting in some acts continuing until 3:30 a.m.
Proposed Solutions and Disagreements
Revolinski and Liptak outlined plans to modify the festival setup to reduce noise impact on surrounding properties. However, during the extended discussion, Nelson and the festival representatives couldn’t agree on appropriate ending times for performances.
Nelson advocated for a midnight cutoff for the main stage, while the Symmetry team initially proposed 1:30 a.m. as a more realistic compromise. The organizers also mentioned a 2 a.m. shutdown time, noting that’s when bars close. They emphasized that nighttime performances and light displays are central to their event’s appeal and competitive position among similar festivals.
Nelson also rejected the organizers’ offer to cover hotel accommodations for his family during the event, calling it insulting and noting that he shouldn’t have to leave his own property for something like this.
The organizers expressed frustration with the ongoing uncertainty, indicating they are tired of repeatedly coming before the board and want a permanent resolution so they don’t have to continue fighting and addressing the issue annually.
Community Focus
Liptak emphasized the festival’s broader community benefits, stating, “I don’t care much about these festivals, I care more about the success of the community.”
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also weighed in favorably, expressing appreciation that the festival kept attendees contained on-site.
Potential Regulations
Assistant County Attorney Ed Kelly presented a draft noise ordinance for the board’s consideration. The proposal would establish daytime decibel limits and impose stricter restrictions between 10:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Kelly clarified that the draft served merely as an example and didn’t necessarily reflect his personal recommendations. He looked at other municipalities in Iowa to create this rough draft.
Liptak warned that the proposed 60-decibel nighttime limit would essentially force the festival to close, noting that other counties with noise ordinances set their restrictions to take effect around 3-4 a.m.
Supervisors emphasized that any event permit would apply equally to all events in the county, including weddings and other gatherings, not just the music festival.
Economic Impact
The festival organizers emphasized the event’s economic benefits to the community. According to a report Liptak provided, the 2025 festival generated an estimated $1.2 million in local economic impact, sold out area hotels, and filled available Airbnb properties. They argued these benefits, combined with the event’s predictable schedule—next year’s festival is planned for October 2-3, 2026—should be weighed against the temporary inconvenience to neighbors.
Moving Forward
To address the concerns, Revolinski announced plans to restructure the festival grounds before next year’s event. Proposed modifications include repositioning the main stage away from Nelson’s property and installing shipping containers as sound barriers.
Nelson expressed doubt that these changes would adequately resolve the noise issues and indicated he would continue pushing for an earlier shutdown time.
The organizers committed to conducting sound tests during the summer months, measuring decibel levels at Nelson’s driveway to determine whether their planned modifications successfully reduce the sound reaching his home. However, the organizers acknowledged that low bass sounds that travel long distances may not register as strongly on decibel meters compared to higher-pitched tones and voices.
The supervisors took no immediate action on either the event permit or the noise ordinance proposal. Instead, a meeting will be scheduled between resident Tim Nelson, festival organizers, and Assistant County Attorney Ed Kelly to work toward a comprehensive event permit covering noise, safety, medical, and emergency planning.
Supervisors clarified that their intent is not to shut down the festival but rather to ensure all parties are part of the solution. The board emphasized that the permit process would help them stay informed about what activities are taking place in the county while establishing clear guidelines for events. No public hearing will be held at this time, and no mandate has been issued.
Board members indicated the discussions represent steps in the right direction toward finding a resolution that balances the festival’s economic contributions with neighbors’ quality of life concerns. They will see how the festival has changed with the new additions being added to the stages and property to reduce the sound at neighboring properties.
