The news that the Boonstock Music Festival is a “done deal” for the B.C. Day long weekend in 2014 has me worried.
I have heard of the riot that erupted after a rock concert in July 1991 when fans looted and smashed stores in Penticton.
Are we being opened to the possibility of this happening again with this festival coming to town? I understand it is to be held on locatee-owned land of the Penticton Indian Reserve.
Listed as approving this festival are Max Picton, president of the new Barefoot Beach Resort, and Travis Kruger and Tim Lezard of the Penticton Indian Band. Chief Jonathan Kruger claims the band still has the right to reject this festival.
I hear tickets are already being sold. Gibbons, Alta. has already rejected the return of the festival to their community after nine years due to crime, garbage, and heavy traffic.
The mayor and city council of Penticton say they have only recently been informed of this festival coming to Penticton.
They rejected the Sounds of Summer coming to Penticton in 2011, but this is to take place on Penticton Indian Reserve land.
What do some of your readers think about this?
Am I worrying unnecessarily?
Norma Painter
Okanagan Falls