06/14/2006

Festival eyes Open Space

Event would feature Christian entertainment

By Vanessa McCray

vmccray@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — A Christian music and dance festival wants exclusive use of the city's Open Space for a late August event.

Clover Festival organizers plan a three-day weekend of family entertainment on the waterfront. The city commission will consider its request for use of the bay side park at its Monday meeting.

"We want this to be a jewel," said Patrick Heintz, a local attorney working with the festival. "This is a big opportunity, and it is a big event."

But the request highlights ambiguities in the city's parks policy over exclusive use of the Open Space. City public services director Robert Cole asked the city commission to decide if it's "appropriate" to grant such groups exclusive use of the city park. The current standard discourages such use, but the rules aren't specific, he said.

The city gets few inquiries about exclusive use of the Open Space, and many drop their request when they learn it requires city commission approval, he said.

The National Cherry Festival has exclusive use of part of the Open Space for nightly concerts that require a $3 pin for admission. Another major event there, the Traverse City Film Festival, plays movies at no charge and is not considered exclusive.

The Clover Festival could lead to more groups asking for exclusive use, Cole said.

The parks commission voted 3-2 to recommend the city commission approve the Clover Festival plan. Makayla Vitous, assistant to the city manager and member of the parks board, supported the event but warned commissioners that officials are concerned about private use of the area.

The Clover Festival wants to use the Open Space from Aug. 22-29 to set up the area, hold the event and clean up. Proceeds would benefit the Grand Traverse Educational Foundation, the funding arm of the local Catholic school system.

The festival will charge a fee of $10 or more to enter. Organizers estimate it could draw up to 10,000 participants and will feature several stages, fashion shows, church services and sell food, beer and wine.