A Streator event organizer is asking the Streator City Council to allow alcohol and admission sales to put on a concert next summer at the Plumb Pavilion in City Park.
Streator’s ordinances forbid direct alcohol sales in the City Park and charging an entry fee to performances at Plumb Pavilion.
Toni Pettit, co-creator of the Jammin’ at the Clock concert series at Heritage Park, said she hears from community members often there are not enough performances at Plumb Pavilion. After hearing about the Rock ‘N’ Rail Music and Street Festival in Griffith, Ind., Pettit said she was inspired to ask two bands that performed at that festival to put on a show in Streator’s City Park.
“These bands would be out of our price range for Jammin’ at the Clock,” Pettit said.
Pettit estimated with alcohol sales and quality bands, 1,000 to 2,000 people would attend the concert she plans to schedule near Labor Day. She said organizers would charge $10 per ticket and temporary fencing would be installed to screen people who choose not to pay admission.
She said with her experience coordinating Jammin’ at the Clock and volunteering with the Streator Fourth of July Committee at Northpoint Plaza, she believes she can keep the event orderly.
Pettit said a non-profit organization could be involved in the coordination of the even, and be a beneficiary of the money raised.
The City Council took no action Tuesday, since the proposal was during its committee workshop session, but City Manager David Plyman said the council could vote on the matter Wednesday, Oct. 20. Council members would be voting on whether to allow alcohol sales and allow ticket sales. Council members don’t have to change any of the city’s ordinances, but they can vote to waive them for this specific event.
Councilwoman Tara Bedei said the city has allowed non-direct alcohol sales during beer tasting events at the park. This is where entry, or a number of tickets are purchased, and alcohol is distributed. She said Plumb Pavilion donors have requested performances at the band shelter remain free and open to the public.
Plyman said he understands the idea behind wanting more events at Plumb Pavilion, calling it a beautiful band shelter, but he said the City Council must weigh its preferences in how it sees the City Park being utilized.
City Attorney Sheryl Churney asked Pettit if alternative locations could be sought. Pettit said Northpoint Plaza may be a consideration, but she said the idea behind the proposal is to bring more activity to the Plumb Pavilion.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
Be First to Comment