Illinois has dealt with more than 180,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 that resulted in more than 7,500 deaths according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, but that didn’t stop at least 500 foolish people from attending an annual party dubbed “The White Trash Bash.” Absolutely none of them wore masks nor did they practice social distancing at the party that was held on the Illinois River in East Peoria, Newsweek reports.

Even though authorities warned that coronavirus numbers in the area were rising, at least 200 boats jammed with people took to the river Saturday, station WMBD reported.

The partygoers openly defied the state’s mask mandate which requires every person over the age of two to wear a mask or face covering in a public place if they are unable to maintain a safe distance from others. The mandate exempts those who have health problems that make wearing a mask difficult.

Perhaps anticipating people’s stubbornness, the Fon du Lac Park District Police Department took to Facebook to urge people to take precautions because COVID-19 cases are on the rise.

“With the Annual White Trash Bash tomorrow, our agency wants to remind everyone that COVID-19 numbers are increasing in our area,” the department posted. “Please use caution if your [sic] going to be out on the river this weekend. This event has the potential to expose everyone to the virus. Please use common sense and social distancing.”

The department shared a photo from a previous White Trash Bash and noted “This picture … is not social distancing and can expose not only you but your family to COVID … Our agency along with other Law Enforcement Agencies will be on the river strictly enforcing boating safety such as reckless operation of watercraft, life jackets, boating capacity, and Drug/Alcohol related offenses. Please be safe so that everyone goes home…”

Officials began monitoring the event about five years ago because fights kept breaking out, said Mike Johnson, the Director of the Fon du Lac Park District. He added that as many as 1,000 people were expected to attend the event.

“It’s the perfect element for a problem,” he told WMBD. “You’ve got beautiful weather, a lot of alcohol, and anywhere from 600 to 1,000 people.”

He added that while there is much concern about the spread of coronavirus, there’s really not much law enforcement can do about it.

“We do the best we can with the manpower we have and we try to have people voluntarily social distance, but at the end of the day, the goal is to get through this event and get everyone home safe,” Johnson said.

Partygoer Daniel Murphy, who attended the celebration for the first time said he and his friends weren’t worried about catching the virus.

“I’m just ready to tear it down,” he told WMBD.

Weirdly, despite the fact that people didn’t wear masks or socially distance themselves, the police department took to Facebook once again, to thank those who attended for behaving responsibly. Even though they didn’t.

“Another WTB on the books. Thanks everyone for Being responsible and getting everyone home safe…,” the department posted, alongside several photos including one of Johnson and other officers who patrolled the event.

Commenters were quick to respond, and while many commended the department, others derided the department for not enforcing the mask policy.

“500 people without masks. Not a job well done,” one noted. Other comments included:

“Safe??? Allowing so many people to congregate knowing the amount of cases increasing in your communities is not safe,” said another.

“Where are your masks? Way to shuck your responsibilities to the community. Low lives.”

“Way to spike those Illinois case numbers. A lot of people are going to get sick, some will probably die, but hey, you had a party!”

As expected, COVID-19 cases and Governor JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that the state may take stricter measures if the cases continue to spike.