The city's annual Rib Fest left a bitter taste in the mouths of a couple who live near Tudhope Park.
“We were subjected to loud, thumping, intrusive music most of the weekend,” Ann and David Kennett wrote in a letter to council complaining about the August event.
The couple said the music was “loud enough to be an inconvenience to residents all over the town.”
Further, they question the merit of the event. They would prefer to see an event similar to the Taste of the Danforth in Toronto; albeit on a smaller scale.
“What does (the Rib Fest), which we understand is very commercial in nature, have in common with the culture and ideals of the residents of Orillia?” they ask in their letter. “If service clubs or other interested groups want to sponsor a food event, why not a celebration of local culture, food and music: A Taste Of Orillia.”
They contend such an event could feature local food vendors and restaurants or home cooks “sharing favourite dishes and recipes.”
Coun. Pat Hehn, who has attended the Tudhope Park Rib Fest each year, agreed.
"I understand a lot of people from out of town (attended) but nearly all of the vendors were from out of town as well, so the money's not staying here," said the Ward 4 councillor. With that in mind, she said she's not "seeing a lot of benefit coming to our community."
But two other councillors said they have an appetite for the event.
"It brings people here, it brings tourist dollars to our community, so I totally support the festival," said Ward 2 Coun. Ralph Cipolla, who cited half-hour-long lineups for ribs.
Rob Kloostra agreed. He said after a rocky start, the festival has become a "well-run event" that included six craft brewers from within a 50-kilometre radius, "there's lots of local vendors there, the food is always great and it's good value."
Only two events receive council permission to use Tudhope Park during the summer: The Rib Fest and the Mariposa Folk Festival. That is by design, so that the park is accessible to the public for the vast majority of time.
Rib Fest organizers pay an annual fee to use the park for the August weekend; that fee was $5,666.23 in 2015 and rose to $6,082 in 2018. The organization does not receive any grant money from the city.
According to a staff report presented Monday night, Rib Fest organizers say the park “is a very desirable location for the event. (They) have submitted their written request to continue to host their event in Orillia.”
City staff told councillors that the city's current unwritten policy is to give existing users the first right of refusal each year. But Coun. Ted Emond said such a policy makes it almost impossible for someone new to come in with new ideas.
Now that the Rib Fest's three-year agreement has expired, he would like to see one-year arrangements for the future.
And while that will likely happen, staff noted they have received just one phone call inquiring about renting the park and that was not a serious inquiry.
Coun. Emond noted that the city's policy may play a role in that. He also noted the municipality has not marketed the park in an effort to attract other events.
