SOUTHWICK – Resident Diana Flynn is hoping the Board of Selectmen will approve her request to host a music festival at her Mort Vining Road farm.
Flynn is hoping to hold the event Oct. 3 with up to 250 people in attendance and said it could include about 100 guests camping on her property overnight.
Flynn said a friend previously held the event in Otis, but she offered to host it and plans to expand it and open it to the public.
All three selectmen voiced concerns about it being a public event and the number of people on site. Flynn originally said she was considering opening the event up to more people but the selectmen encouraged her to keep the numbers down.
“You need to walk before you run,” said Selectman Douglas Moglin, adding that if it goes well with that size crowd, she could expand next year since Flynn said she hopes it becomes an annual event.
Fox was also concerned.
“This could turn into a problem,” he said. “My concern is turning this from a private function to a public one.”
Flynn said the majority of people in attendance would be friends and family and she was going to advertise it through word of mouth and personal social media.
A group of town officials, including Health Inspector Thomas Fitzgerald and Police Chief David Ricardi, met with Flynn and the Board this week.
Fitzgerald asked about food vendors and portable potties. Flynn said she had arrangements for porta-potties and did not have plans for vendors at this time.
“We’re thinking about bringing your own drink and food,” said Flynn. “But I do have a kitchen license and may do pre-wrapped cookies and things like that.”
Flynn also planned to have bottled water.
The bands – which Flynn described as bluegrass Americana – would perform on a small stage with a tent overhead and would use electricity from her garage. Fire Commissioners noted that the electrical inspector would need to sign-off on using the electric on site.
Ricardi deferred most of his questions to Safety Officer Sgt. Kirk Sanders who was also concerned about crowds, security and traffic.
Flynn said she did not anticipate any problems with the crowd of mostly friends.
Deedy said by opening it to the public and inviting friends of friends, Flynn should prepare for crowd control.
Sanders told Flynn she should use volunteers to serve as security. He also said she should have medical services available on site and could also use a volunteer who is EMT certified or hire EMTs for the day.
Department of Public Works Director Randy Brown asked about access to the property and signage. Flynn said she would have cars enter the field from the road and would have volunteers assist with parking, and the band and handicap parking would be through her driveway. Brown was concerned about mud in case of rain since the music festival would be rain or shine and Flynn said they could access the field through the driveway.
Several questions were asked about neighbors and noise. Flynn said she would speak to her neighbors and did not foresee any issues.
“I listen to their dogs bark, so I think they can listen to us one time,” said Flynn.
The Board agreed to consider Flynn’s request and take it up at the Aug. 31 meeting.
