New Westminster is going to have a tête-à-tête with groups that put on some of the city's festivals.
City council has asked staff to develop a process that allows the city to meet with organizers of major festivals.
Staff recently presented council with a proposed consultation process that would include presentations from the Hyack Festival Association (Uptown Live, Hyack Parade, Canada Day's evening event, Concerts on the Quay, Santa Claus Parade of Lights), the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Area (multicultural festival, Show and Shine, StrEAT food truck festival), Fraser River Discovery Centre (RiverFest), Sapperton Business Association (Sapperton Day), the West End Business Association (12th Street Music Festival), the New Westminster Pride Society (Pride Festival), and the Arts Council of New Westminster (Arts to Go and MOMENTUM Youth Arts Movement, formerly YamJam).
"Festivals contribute to the sense of community, vibrancy and celebration in the city," stated a staff report. "To support the success of festivals in New Westminster, it is helpful to understand what is working well, as well as the challenges which festival producers face. This dialogue session between the major festival producers and city councils will provide an opportunity to better understand the dynamics and critical success factors for festivals in New Westminster."
Coun. Bill Harper said the city needs to get a clear indication of where the city's money will be spent.
Staff has proposed that council receive presentations from the city's major festival presenters, who would each be given about 10 minutes to provide a brief overview of their mandate, programming and benefit to the community, a statement about what is working well and where improvements can be made, a breakdown of the costs of their events, and areas where they could find efficiencies and cost savings.
Coun. Betty McIntosh suggested organizers of Summerfest (in Grimston Park) and the Quayside Community Festival and Sale should also be included in the process, as those events attract large crowds.
Dean Gibson, the city's director of parks, culture and recreation, said staff would be happy to expand the list of groups invited to make presentations to council. He said those groups weren't included in the staff recommendation as they use "very little, if any city services" for their events.
Council also expressed a desire to see more clarity around the provision of in-kind services provided by the city for various festivals.
