Remember when Dave Matthews Band poured 800lbs of human waste into the Chicago River

Twenty years ago, Chicago was the site of an unforgettable mishap that has since become a bizarre chapter in the city's history. On August 8, 2004, a tour bus belonging to the Dave Matthews Band crossed the Kinzie Street Bridge and released 800 pounds of human waste from its septic tank. Unluckily for those below, the waste didn’t just hit the Chicago River—it rained down on passengers aboard the *Little Lady*, a sightseeing boat operated by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

The incident, which has been humorously dubbed “Poopgate,” involved approximately 120 unsuspecting tourists who were doused in the foul sludge. As the incident unfolded, initial confusion quickly turned into shock, disgust, and, eventually, city-wide infamy. The band’s driver, Stefan Wohl, was later convicted of reckless conduct and water pollution, receiving probation and a substantial fine. Dave Matthews Band, who were not on the bus at the time, expressed deep regret for the mishap, with Matthews himself apologizing on multiple occasions and the band donating $100,000 to local environmental causes.

Two decades later, the incident remains a peculiar but enduring memory for Chicagoans, a symbol of one of the more bizarre moments in the city's long history. Despite the passage of time, the event has been commemorated in various ways, including a plaque on the Kinzie Street Bridge and a renewed reflection on the intersection of celebrity culture and public accountability.

This anniversary reminds us not just of the incident itself, but of the peculiar ways in which even the most unexpected events can leave a lasting mark on a city’s cultural landscape.