William Shatner’s Riot Fest Rider Demands Puppies and Fire Breathers

The nonagenarian actor is set to take the stage at Chicago’s Douglass Park on September 20 alongside his band, The *uckers. Organizers spent a decade courting the Star Trek icon before he finally agreed to perform. While standard artist riders focus on catering and dressing room comfort, Shatner’s list includes a four-foot-long Polish sausage, a bowl of sauerkraut, and a demand for fire breathers to accompany his set.

Riot Fest officials claim they received a personal video message from the actor detailing these requirements, though they have signaled skepticism about the document's authenticity. The stunt mirrors a similar 2025 campaign involving John Stamos, suggesting a collaborative effort to generate buzz for the event. Regardless of the rider's validity, local businesses are already participating, with one pub offering to rename a menu item in Shatner’s honor. The performance will feature tracks from his extensive musical catalog and selections from his forthcoming heavy metal project, which the actor has described as a bold, headbanging exploration.