Spencer Smith festivals up for discussion

Burlington may be adding some new festivals and events across the city next year including a beer fest in Spencer Smith Park. The topic will be up for debate Wednesday. So our Melissa Raftis spoke to residents who say they welcome an extra opportunity to bring the city together.

The Burlington Sound of Music Festival has grown to be the largest free music festival in the country, bringing thousands of fans down to Spencer Smith Park each June. And at the end of the summer, more than 100-thousand people descend on the park for the country’s largest ribfest.

Now, the city’s Community Services Committee will be discussing adding a third large-scale event in mid-July: A beer festival.

Scott Robinson is the COO for Burlington Beer Fest: “Not one where people sit down and drink 10 cases of beer but a festival where you have craft beer. You have food pairings to go with them.”

Robinson says Spencer Smith Park was a natural choice: “This is what is important to have that water backdrop, with the tress, nice grass great setting for the families.”

While it has yet to be approved, Committee Chair Councillor Paul Sharman says he’s open for discussion: “We welcome them and we’re excited to see that we’ve got activities that appeal to a broad cross section of people.”

Most people we spoke with who live in the area say they welcome the idea of bringing another festival to the park, although there were some concerns about large crowds repeatedly damaging the grass.

“Twice my wife and I went down in the summer and it rained the night before and it was just a mudbath. So if they’re going to do it fine but put some artificial turf down might help.”

“Oh, I think that’s a great idea. That’s one of the highlights of my summer is coming here for Ribfest. I like to see the fireworks here and get the whole city involved.”

And even those who don’t plant to participate, still say it’s a positive step for the community.

“If I was 60 years younger I’d probably be down here at the festivals.”

Even if it takes a little extra work to keep the grass green.

The Community Service Committee will be discussing all 179 events in the city at Wednesday’s meeting. As for the grass in Spencer Smith Park, Councillor Sharman says it is patched up up after the festivals.