Photo by B. Shakyaver
A proposed Multicultural Music, Dance, and Singing Festival in Bayfield will not be moving forward following discussion at Bluewater Council’s meeting on Monday (June 3) – that’s after councillors cited concerns about timing and logistical challenges.
Staff recommended respectfully declining the event due to several issues, including the strain it would place on current resources and the short notice for preparation – with the festival’s proposed dates, the town would already be busy for Labour Day, as was pointed out by Councillor Bill Whetstone.
Councillor Winona Bailey highlighted that Bluewater staff would already be stretched thin, and perhaps a different time or location would better serve the needs of the festival.
Councillor Joey Groot pointed out that the timeframe would be extremely tight to ensure that the festival would be properly coordinated in time.
Deputy Mayor John Becker expressed worries about the economic and logistical burdens on the village, noting that most attendees would not be Bluewater taxpayers, yet the costs would fall on local resources. The council also recognized the significant volunteer effort required to successfully execute such an event, which seemed unattainable in the short timeframe.
In conclusion, while acknowledging the potential value of a multicultural festival, council voted against amending the current lease agreement with the Bayfield Agricultural Society to accommodate the event this summer. They suggested revisiting the idea in the future with more ample planning time.
Written by: B. Shakyaver