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Bluesfest eyes new schedule |
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Tuesday, 13 January 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — Members of the K.C. Geiger Park Committee Monday night unveiled a revamped schedule for what they hope will become an annual tradition for years to come.
Chris Botkin, Rees McKee and Dave Stilwell told city councilors the third annual Riverside Bluesfest is scheduled for Sept. 5 and 6 — a change to the Friday and Saturday format seen in 2009. The switch to a Saturday and Sunday festival was prompted by a home football game Friday night as well as an attempt to cash in on another evening of music.
“We came to the conclusion, aside from the scheduling conflict, that it wouldn’t give us time for a viable event,” Botkin said of a Friday show. “Our festival would run the same hours. We would probably open the park up at noon and start shows at 2 p.m. and run until 11 p.m.”
Last year’s Bluesfest show featured a second night for the first time. Organizers said the second night helped them generate additional revenue for their coffers.
“The equipment is here for two days and that lowers costs,” Botkin said.
“Also, it is our intention to expand into a full weekend festival and we are working into that.”
Botkin appeared before council to ask for permission to secure a liquor permit for the event as well as the use of K.C. Geiger for the festival.
While no legislation was introduced during the meeting, none of the councilors voiced opposition to the proposal.
In addition to the request, the trio showed councilors a promotional video committee members plan to show to possible marketing partners for Bluesfest.
The video presentation outlined some of the K.C. Geiger Park Committee’s accomplishments as well as its goals for Bluesfest.
“We’ve contributed more than $110,000 to K.C. Geiger Park,” Stilwell said. “It’s added up and it’s something we are proud of.”
Initially the group raised a portion of its funds via the duck race at SummerFest.
However, committee members decided to give up the venture and instead focus on growing Bluesfest.
“We always thought it would be nice to have an amphitheater out there,” Stilwell said.
Stilwell said more than 300 volunteers lend a helping hand during the event — in all phases of preparation. The budget for the 2008 show was $80,000 — of which one-third went to the booking of the bands.
“Each year we’ve tried to have a mixture of different types of blues,” Stilwell said.
“We get a lot of people from out of town who come to the show. We sell tickets online and we’ve sold tickets in Oregon and Florida.”
Following the presentation, McKee said the construction of an amphitheater at K.C. Geiger Park is in the future.
“This is a long-term goal,” McKee said of the amphitheater. “We have many years of fundraising ahead of us.”
Councilors are expected to vote on legislation during their next meeting related to the request.
Councilors also scheduled a meeting for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in the city utility office basement for property owners who are part of the 2009 street and sidewalk project. City officials and councilors will be on hand to answer any questions associated with the project.
In other business:
• Councilors approved, on emergency, an ordinance levying assessments as part of the 2008 improvements of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and drive approaches.
• Councilors entered executive session to discuss the purchase of property. When councilors reconvened in regular session, no action was taken.
The next meeting of the St. Marys City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 26 in the city building located along East Spring Street. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 January 2009 )
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