“From Fans to Felons: The Surprising Story Behind the DOJ’s Gang Labeling of Juggalos”

Imagine showing up at a festival and declaring, “I’ll eat bugs for cash!” At most events, that might earn you some quizzical looks—or an invitation to a wellness seminar. But at the 2010 Gathering of the Juggalos in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, it was just another Tuesday among the eclectic crowd of Insane Clown Posse fans. This notorious four-day celebration, a blend of music, chaos, and unabashed hedonism, draws people from the fringes of society who embrace an identity often misunderstood by mainstream culture. With a reputation that oscillates between being a wild party filled with outrageous antics and the subject of harsh criticism, the Juggalos navigate an intriguing intersection of music, mythology, and community spirit. So, are they really just a bunch of clowns, or is there something deeper brewing beneath the painted faces and raucous revelry? If you’re curious to dig into the much-misunderstood world of Juggalos, their quirky festival antics, and the infamous FBI designation that labeled them as a gang, you might want to… [LEARN MORE](https://www.mentalfloss.com/insane-clown-posse-juggalo-fan-history?utm_source=RSS#inline-text-4).

“Will Eat Bugs for $”

At any other gathering, a written proclamation that one is willing to ingest insects for cash might seem bizarre. At the 2010 Gathering of the Juggalos at Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, it went largely unnoticed. The four-day outdoor party, which was heavy on sex, drugs, and nudity, was held in honor of the Juggalos, the proper noun affixed to fans of the horrorcore music duo Insane Clown Posse. Often maligned and vocal about being misunderstood, ICP fans tend to embrace extremes, including a hedonistic demonstration of debauchery at their annual assembly.