How can we let a festival slip through our fingers. it was at the commish meeting that Mr. Hudson really put the festival down, Thanks,oh well I guess we will have to go to PC next year for this event.
Replies
14
needs to get out more
can you give a little more detail? why was the event turned down? what are the concerns? was the promoter not there?
SoWal Expert
My guess is that it had to do with not being able to accommodate the large crowd, and they want everyone to shop at Pier Park. Remember when Eden State Park lost ArtsQuest to Sandestin? Need to sell more $8 Budweisers, and give people an excuse to shop at Baytowne Wharf. I'm guessing the same thing was presented to Jazz Fest. The difference in this scenario is that Walton County is losing much revenue to Bay County.
SWGB
The PCB TDC was all in a tizzy over this coupe. I'm sure they paid thru the nose for it as well.
Beach Crab
The PCB TDC was all in a tizzy over this coupe. I'm sure they paid thru the nose for it as well.
Actually, the festival organizer only asked that the PCB TDC/CVB become a $10,000 sponsor. He stated that this was the same amount that the Walton TDC provided.
Beach Fanatic
Beach Fanatic
Too bad Walton County and South Walton lost that event. Too bad article in Panama City News Herald and guess this Destin Log paper lists event in Destin!! This reporter needs some geography lessons. Hopefully, most of the Jazz festival guests will continue to stay in Walton County and the beautiful beaches of South Walton. Pier Park is within the old original boundaries of Walton County and quite close to some eastern parts of South Walton. Perhaps we can work on getting it back -- both the jazz festival and the Pier Park area.
SoWal Insider
I worked Jazz Fest around two years ago. Meaning I did everything from setting up the tents for the actual event to staying on top of security to covering the green room and taking performers back and forth for their gigs. We handled it well but it was the one that was held at the golf course and many owners complained when they weren't allowed in the green room or to be able to go and come as they please or about the noise. Crowd control was a nightmare with the addition of alcohol. I had to drag a few off the air speakers after one performer ask the crowd to rush the stage :angry:
In the end I think it is a great source of revenue but you have to have a large enough area for 5,000 people including parking for them and in a place where owners of condos and such have to follow the same rules as the rest of those attending unless they have a vip pass or something like that. I'm thinking a huge open field with no neighbors to complain from my experience.
Just my .02.
In the end I think it is a great source of revenue but you have to have a large enough area for 5,000 people including parking for them and in a place where owners of condos and such have to follow the same rules as the rest of those attending unless they have a vip pass or something like that. I'm thinking a huge open field with no neighbors to complain from my experience.
Just my .02.
SoWal Expert
I thought last year's Jazz Fest went quite well and that it was a great event that brought in many great people. What did I miss?
SoWal Staff
I can guess a bigger venue like Pier Park with no residents to complain about noise was only one reason. More ticket sales. They couldn't expand at Gulf Place. Seascape was a mess. There's no place else in South Walton for a bigger crowd. It makes sense to look elsewhere.
Pier Park isn't that far to drive. The parking will be much improved. There's already an ampitheater for concerts.
Bob Hudson's complaints alone didn't force the change. It seemed to be a coincidence that the news of the move came about the same time as the BCC meeting.
Mark and Renee win, South Walton loses.
Pier Park isn't that far to drive. The parking will be much improved. There's already an ampitheater for concerts.
Bob Hudson's complaints alone didn't force the change. It seemed to be a coincidence that the news of the move came about the same time as the BCC meeting.
Mark and Renee win, South Walton loses.
Beach Lover
You seem to be condeeming Mr. Hudson for his simple questions before the Commission.
This is the WZEP article on his request.
Jazz Festival To Move, But Walton Commissioners Want It Turned Down Late Night This Year
The Panama City News Herald reports the Jazz Festival will move from Walton County to the public amphitheater at Pier Park in 2009. After 10 years, the jazz festival has outgrown its current facility. The paper reports co-owners Mark and Renee Carter approached the Bay County Tourist Development Council Tuesday to obtain support for moving the festival to Pier Park. The report is Carter said his wife have been careful to keep the jazz festival from becoming too large and ungainly an event. Capping ticket sales to between 4,500 and 5,000 people per day has enabled them to attract a good-sized crowd but not one that overwhelms the facilities, he said.
Apparently the size of the event in its current location is a concern with some residents and commissioners. The change of location was not mentioned at the recent Walton Commissioner meeting where a resident asked about the late night noise from the event and how it falls under the county's noise ordinance. The resident and commissioners also discussed the parking and other aspects of holding what has been a growing event.
South Walton resident Bob Hudson said last year Code Enforcement was off on the weekends and the Sheriff's Office said they did not have the people certified in using the sound measuring equipment. Hudson asked what is the procedure for enforcing the county's noise ordinance. He said he enjoys the music, but last year could hear it everywhere in his house. Hudson said he would be out of town this year, but was asked by others in his neighborhood to address the issue.
Planning Director Pat Blackshear said the ordinance has a provision for festivals and concerts, but the organizers have to ask for an exception. Blackshear told commissioners, if the organizers do not make the request and code enforcement has to go out, they will have to go on the stage and ask them to shut down. She told commissioners this might not be good with 4500 people, many staying in local lodging and eating in the restaurants.
Commissioner Sara Comander suggested asking the organizers to turn down the sound after a certain time.
Hudson said he agrees with tourism, but noted he lives here all year and has a right to use his property. He also said a newspaper article said attendees are asked to park on the bike path. He said last year his wife's china rattled in the cabinet. With a laugh, commissioners asked Hudson if he could simply take a vacation while the event was going on.
Commissioner Meadows said she thought they had rules where they have to lay out their plans. Blackshear said there is a process where they should come in and work with the county. Meadows said it is a weekend of loud music and parking all over the place. Commissioners agreed the organizers should be contacted and some things addressed now and next year they should come in months earlier with plans for the event. Again, apparently the commissioners did not know the decision had already been made to move the event.
Hudson said he is concerned with safety such as fire access when the side roads are blocked with parked cares.
Commissioners asked staff to get with the organizers and asked about parking plans, noise plans and other aspects. Hudson said he is not trying to block the event and even likes it, but asked who to call if his bones are rattled into the late night hours.
It is interesting to note that the Panama City TDC had already landed the event before Hudson spoke before the BCC.
This is the WZEP article on his request.
Jazz Festival To Move, But Walton Commissioners Want It Turned Down Late Night This Year
The Panama City News Herald reports the Jazz Festival will move from Walton County to the public amphitheater at Pier Park in 2009. After 10 years, the jazz festival has outgrown its current facility. The paper reports co-owners Mark and Renee Carter approached the Bay County Tourist Development Council Tuesday to obtain support for moving the festival to Pier Park. The report is Carter said his wife have been careful to keep the jazz festival from becoming too large and ungainly an event. Capping ticket sales to between 4,500 and 5,000 people per day has enabled them to attract a good-sized crowd but not one that overwhelms the facilities, he said.
Apparently the size of the event in its current location is a concern with some residents and commissioners. The change of location was not mentioned at the recent Walton Commissioner meeting where a resident asked about the late night noise from the event and how it falls under the county's noise ordinance. The resident and commissioners also discussed the parking and other aspects of holding what has been a growing event.
South Walton resident Bob Hudson said last year Code Enforcement was off on the weekends and the Sheriff's Office said they did not have the people certified in using the sound measuring equipment. Hudson asked what is the procedure for enforcing the county's noise ordinance. He said he enjoys the music, but last year could hear it everywhere in his house. Hudson said he would be out of town this year, but was asked by others in his neighborhood to address the issue.
Planning Director Pat Blackshear said the ordinance has a provision for festivals and concerts, but the organizers have to ask for an exception. Blackshear told commissioners, if the organizers do not make the request and code enforcement has to go out, they will have to go on the stage and ask them to shut down. She told commissioners this might not be good with 4500 people, many staying in local lodging and eating in the restaurants.
Commissioner Sara Comander suggested asking the organizers to turn down the sound after a certain time.
Hudson said he agrees with tourism, but noted he lives here all year and has a right to use his property. He also said a newspaper article said attendees are asked to park on the bike path. He said last year his wife's china rattled in the cabinet. With a laugh, commissioners asked Hudson if he could simply take a vacation while the event was going on.
Commissioner Meadows said she thought they had rules where they have to lay out their plans. Blackshear said there is a process where they should come in and work with the county. Meadows said it is a weekend of loud music and parking all over the place. Commissioners agreed the organizers should be contacted and some things addressed now and next year they should come in months earlier with plans for the event. Again, apparently the commissioners did not know the decision had already been made to move the event.
Hudson said he is concerned with safety such as fire access when the side roads are blocked with parked cares.
Commissioners asked staff to get with the organizers and asked about parking plans, noise plans and other aspects. Hudson said he is not trying to block the event and even likes it, but asked who to call if his bones are rattled into the late night hours.
It is interesting to note that the Panama City TDC had already landed the event before Hudson spoke before the BCC.
Beach ComberAuthor
Northender do you feel somewhat embarassed at this time ?
The Jazz festival had already been moved and you choose to attack without even understanding the issue.
I'm still laughing !
should I be imbarassed for stating my opinion like everyone else on this board? I don't think so.
SoWal Expert
I guess Mr Carter, owner of the Seabreeze Radio Station which sponsors the event, could set it up on his five acre parcel on Bay Drive, which is all lawn with a few trees. Lots of parking and plenty of room for a stage and audience.
needs to get out more
There's no place else in South Walton for a bigger crowd. It makes sense to look elsewhere.
for now. things are in the works.
There's already an ampitheater for concerts.
sort of. more of a park with an extremely small, barely raised slab. since that park isn't raked, i'm thinking an elevated stage with roof will need to be brought in.
SWGB
It'll be back, nobody screws up a good opportunity like the PCB TDC. Anybody remember a fun little event called the Indian Summer Seafood Festival?
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