|
Council in tune with downtown music festival |
|
|
|
Written by John Saiz | Patterson Irrigator
|
|
Saturday, 04 October 2008 |
An all-day music festival set for Oct. 18 in downtown Patterson got the green light from the Patterson City Council on Tuesday.
As far as the staff from the Patterson Parks and Recreation Department can remember, this is the first time downtown streets will be closed for a festival for a for-profit business.
In order to let the Emulsified Music Festival happen, the council voted 4-0 to shut down Del Puerto Avenue between El Circulo and the alley that leads to Patterson Police Services.
The council considered the matter at a special meeting so organizer Robin Matteri would have enough time to promote the event should she get approval. With the council approval behind her, Matteri hopes her first festival is a chance to entertain locals and get people into Patterson’s downtown.
“We have (bands with) guys that are 16 to guys that are 50,” she said. “There’s one girl with a ukulele. I don’t even know how to describe it.”
Matteri had hoped some of the $1,802 in fees the city is charging would be waived, like is often done for nonprofits that host events that promote downtown Patterson. Councilman Sam Cuellar seemed open to the idea.
“We could provide this break,” Cuellar said about a $300 administrative fee.
He felt the event needed special considerations because of its potential to draw more people downtown.
However, the other council members present had different opinions.
“For us to waive the fees, that’s taking taxpayer money for a for-profit business,” Councilwoman Annette Smith said.
Councilman Dominic Farinah worried about the precedent it would set.
Originally, Matteri had planned to sell alcohol at the event. However, resistance from parks department staff and Patterson Police Services caused her to nix the idea, she said. However, there are several businesses in the area that are licensed to serve alcohol on their premises.
“I could bring (anyone from) my 12-year-old to my 3-year-old,” Matteri said.
To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
If any of the fees were waived, it would have only lifted a bit of the financial burden that's a*sociated with putting on an event like this. However, the support from local businesses has been overwhelming!!
The show will go on and I just wanted to say thanks to the local businesses who have helped to make this possible.