Eastern Promenade Selected as Launch Site of Concert Series for British Musical Group; Council Gives Unanimous Approval

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Lauren Wayne, State Theatre and Ralph Carmona, Board Member MHNO.

By Carol McCracken (Post # l,013)

It was only 2 weeks ago that the State Theatre learned Portland was one of four communities in the country selected to host a British Folk-Rock Band Munford & Sons which is touring the US this summer. The date selected is Saturday, August 4 which will be the first concert of the band’s summer tour.

Lauren Wayne of the State Theatre said that a representative of the Band has since visited the Eastern Promenade and said this would be a perfect venue for the concert. The event will begin at 2:00 pm and run until 9:00 pm. In order for the festival to be held, a portion of the Eastern Promenade Park will be partitioned off for ticket holders; that includes about 2/3 of the park and the other 1/3 grassy area will still be available to the public for recreational use. The partioned off area would be accomplished via six-foot high portable chain link mesh fence, orange snow fencing and metal and wooden barricades. Some of the gated area would also be a beer garden where 21+ only will be permitted. The area will be secured and staffed by appropriate personnel. Boat traffic would be allowed down the closed section of Cutter Street, up until 2:00 pm the day of the show, opening back up again for boater traffic on Sunday, August 5, at 7:00 am. Set up for the festival would start Thursday and Friday, August 2 and 3. Breakdown would last until Monday, August 6th.

Public opposition to the event was minimal. Munjoy Hill N eighborhood Organization board member, Ralph Carmona, testified that the Organization supported the concert saying: “This is a good deal. This will provide an opportunity for us to showcase Munjoy Hill. The devil is in the details. We hope there will be sufficient parking, clean-up and that the neighborhood will not be negatively affected by it.”

The other communities selected through an RFP process in addition to Portland were: Bristow, VA; Dixon, IL; and Salinas, CA.