No bids for festival concert

Well it appears the annual Heritage Festival will remain silent again this summer as the deadline for proposals for a private group to run concerts commercially has closed, with no bids submitted.

“As Chair of the Community Services Committee I am disappointed; but will make the best of this,” Community Services Chair Mike Anthony tells BayToday.

“Once again I believe we will have volunteers providing a fun free weekend for families with all the great things they are saw in years past: inflatable pay areas, entertainers, games, petting zoo, local musicians, dancers, and so-on.”

Anthony says he would absolutely love to see big-name concerts return to that long weekend, however, he maintains that the concerts should not come on the backs of the taxpayers.

“We just have to find a group willing to shoulder that responsibility and that risk, and the payoff that comes with it of they do it right.”

“It can indeed be done; and could happen in the near future.”

Anthony points out that our sister city Moncton, New Brunswick has been able to secure the likes of the Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill for their event.

“Tickets were sold in advance, and no one worried about weather affecting the event; if it rained the crowds brought umbrellas and had fun anyway.” He notes.

Anthony says the city needs to attract a promoter willing to do the same in the Bay. He thinks one of the things that may have stopped possible groups from bidding this year is the historical ‘buying trends’ of the public in relation to the festivals of the past.

“People got used to ‘waiting to see’ what the weather would be like. I’ve been told that up to half of wristbands sold would be on the very weekend itself,” he states.

“We need to get a promoter who brings exciting enough acts that people pre-purchase and enjoy the show regardless of the weather. But habits are hard to break and weather has become one of the major barometers of attendance at our long weekend events.”

So what can residents expect to see this summer, well Anthony says ‘Summer in the Park’ will be back.

“Still we expect volunteers to put on a great family event with ‘Summer in the Park’ once again, complete with midway.”

“In fact, there’s nothing stopping any interested group from seeking a permit to use public parkland that weekend and stage their own local blues fest, or jazz fest or comedy fest to coincide with ‘Summer in the Park.’ We could still see that happen.”

Anthony also believes that once the construction of the underpass at the waterfront is complete, private groups will realise the ease of attracting foot traffic to the venue, and re-consider putting on concerts in the future.

Anthony says council will discuss the next steps but he doesn't believe the riskiest part of the event should be on the backs of the taxpayers. He also says the family oriented Summer in the Park will be back next year. Overall, Anthony says there's nothing stopping groups from approaching them if they're interested in putting on the concerts.