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The organizers of the Rhythm & Roots Festival are thinking of moving to a new location for 2009 due to possible changes in fees and regulations at Ninigret Park.
Some of those changes include higher fees, full financial disclosure, and forfeiting a percentage of gate receipts. While we’d hate to see the Rhythm & Roots Festival leave Ninigret Park, the town has a point. The $7,500 fee seems like a small fee to pay for any of the big three Ninigret events – the Big Apple Circus, the Rhythm & Roots, and the Reggae Festival.
How much money do these events bring in? What is a typical rental fee for a setting like Ninigret? We have no idea, but we do know that $7,500 is probably a drop in the proverbial bucket. What to do?
There is only one thing to do and we are not sure the current Charlestown Council is very good at it: compromise.
That’s right, compromise.
If the town needs to hire a facilitator to facilitate an agreement between festival organizers and the town – so be it. And pay that facilitator.
Imagine losing these events. Just imagine. We can see the scenario now. The town gets on their high horse thinking they can bring in the funds of a Newport Folk Festival and raises the fees. The big three drop out seeking other venues for their events in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Massachusetts. Then the town will be left without these events and may have to take a hit for a while, at least for a few years. Don’t let this happen.
Yes, a compromise is needed. We can see no other way. The town can indeed charge more and should. Festival organizers need to pay more, and should. And if they can find a better deal elsewhere at a similar venue, they should.
But the bottom line is this: the town should do everything in its power to hold onto these events – while at the same time adjusting fees. If Rhythm & Roots or others leave, the town may regret it for a long time to come.
These events have become part of the fabric of the area – for all of Southern Rhode Island. They also bring in countless dollars for area businesses – for all of Southern Rhode Island.
Yes, a compromise is needed, especially in these trying economic times.
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