Fall music fest to include Boardwalk, local businesses

Continued from Page 9

Division Street and one on S. Division Street.

Board member Marty Pusey asked Mayor Rick Meehan how the public will be advised of the event and closures of areas to the public, and Meehan said the city will work with the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant-Association and the chamber of commerce, as well as show notices in newspapers, television and social media to spread the word.

Meehan agreed with Cropper that he and the City Council believe it is in the best interest of the city to include the Boardwalk.

Vince Gisriel, who served on the City Council for about 14 years, used to be on a Worcester County substance use task force, and was formerly a member of the Ocean City Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee, testified against the board granting a promoter’s license.

“When you have 50,000 people … available to drink alcoholic beverages from noon to 10:30, that situation is ripe for trouble,” Gisriel said.

Gisriel worried that if the weather turned “sour,” when so many people have been drinking all day, promoters could have trouble controlling the situation.

He noted that hydration for the attendees could also be a problem, and Sweetwood told the board the festival will provide free water stations and free returnable water bottles for attendees.

“I’m concerned about the liability that the town is taking on with this kind of an event,” Gisriel said. Gisriel also raised other concerns, like the inconvenience of eliminating the Boardwalk space for the public, what he saw as transparency problems in planning the event and the festival possibly diverting the city’s’ public transportation system away from regular riders and businesses outside the footprint.

“I empathize with Mr. Gisriel’s position, having a public health background myself, and understand his concerns,” Pusey said.

Sweetwood told the board that not all of the possible 50,000 attendees will show up at opening and leave at close, but they generally filter in and out for smaller periods of time.

“Look, it's a big event. I’m probably the oldest person in the room. It makes me nervous as well,” said board Chairman William Esham. “They’ve covered all their bases that they could possibly cover. They can’t afford to knowingly make a mistake… I’m not here to testify for them, but I’m a business owner in Ocean City and my people are excited.” ng

Board member Charles Nichols made a motion for approval and it passed.

Salt Life mobile h about 1 in app satisfie Community’s locatio home park outside o 5 miles away from t $169,9 lying, contact us today!

00 ICE losest cated ions, amusem a little g affordab ents, and restaurants, meaning you don et-away. Our location is not only one of le in the area.

FindYYoou hersVVaacationurDreamTToodayandLiveWhereOth oday and Live Where Others V our Dream T Find Y . hedule Y Call Us to Sc Yoour Tour! 410-213-776693