PORTSMOUTH — The producers of a large-scale water and light festival proposed for Glen Farm next summer have been left high and dry — at least for now.
After hearing negative reports from the police chief regarding a similar show held this summer in Newport, the Town Council Monday night unanimously denied Aqua’s application to stage a festival at the farm’s special events field on Saturday, July 2, 2016.
“I have serious public safety concerns on this event and I ask you to deny this application,” Police Chief Thomas Lee told the council.
Robert Campion, recreation director, also recommended that Aqua’s application be turned down, saying the event was not “the right fit.”
Both men cited Aqua’s July 3 festival at Fort Adams in Newport, which they said was originally billed as a family-friendly event but soon got out of control.
Chief Lee spoke with Newport police, whom he said likened the event to a “rave” party. Although only one arrest was reported, there were numerous reports of intoxicated patrons, with seven people transported to the hospital by ambulance, he said.
“They had to call in additional officers,” Chief Lee said, adding that one Newport police officer “described it as a horror show.”
According to Aqua’s application, the event would run from 2 p.m. to dusk on July 2. The application form describes the proposed event as having “America-themed activities, games, food and beer. During the day (there) will be local bands and at night is a high-energy water special effects show featuring fountains and 60×120-foot water holograms.”
Founder defends festival
Patrick Brown of Little Compton, one of the co-founders of Aqua, defended the festival, saying it raised $11,000 for the Fort Adams Trust.
“Ninety-nine percent of the people loved it,” said Mr. Brown, who blamed the bulk of the complaints in Newport to “political unease” and a failure by producers in having enough control over the event’s beer garden. They’ve since learned from their mistakes, he said.
Mr. Brown also denied that the Newport festival was billed as “family-friendly,” and that it was always intended to be an “18-plus” event.
He estimated that the event in Portsmouth would draw about 4,000 people, with an average ticket price of $30.
Responding to questions from the council, Mr. Brown said Aqua has produced alcohol-free events in the past and could do the same in Portsmouth if that’s what the town preferred. He added he was willing to work with the town on other issues such as parking and bathroom facilities.
Council Vice President James Seveney initially said he’d be willing to support the festival assuming the council received assurances that Aqua’s show wouldn’t be a repeat of what happened in Newport. He changed his tune, however, after hearing from Chief Lee, who also said he didn’t have enough officers to staff such a large festival on the Fourth of July weekend.
Council President Keith Hamilton also opposed the application, saying the festival is ill-suited for Glen Farm. He noted there would also be polo played at Glen Farm on July 2, further complicating the situation.
“I don’t see how we’d be able to block it off like you can do down at Fort Adams,” he said.
Although the council denied the application for July 2, there’s nothing stopping Aqua from coming back with a different date.
“The door isn’t closed, but it really isn’t opened that wide,” said Mr. Hamilton, who told Mr. Brown, “Work with the chief and see if any accommodations can be met.”
The post Application for water and light show in Portsmouth denied appeared first on EastBayRI.com.