Calistoga plans to host a 2-day rock music festival at fairgrounds
The City of Calistoga is considering hosting a new two-day rock music festival at its fairgrounds, with the potential to attract up to 10,000 attendees per day. The City Council has given approval to staff to begin negotiations with Ripe Productions LLC, the proposed organizer of the event, for a multi-year exclusive agreement. This agreement would need final approval from the council before moving forward.
The festival idea was put forward by Gary Himelfarb, a Calistoga resident and music producer, who envisions bringing live music and tourism back to the 70-acre Calistoga Fairgrounds. Himelfarb emphasized that the goal is not to replicate the scale of BottleRock, a larger festival that draws over 100,000 visitors each Memorial Day weekend. Instead, the focus is on creating an intimate and community-centric event that will revitalize the fairgrounds.
The fairgrounds, purchased by the city from Napa County for $2 million last year, have a history of hosting major events like the Napa County Fair before falling into disuse. Mayor Donald Williams highlighted the importance of revitalizing the fairgrounds and acknowledged the community’s desire to see the space utilized effectively once again.
While many council members are excited about the festival, some have expressed concerns about committing to a long-term contract before completing a community survey to gather input on future uses of the fairgrounds. Himelfarb proposed a 10-year contract or a five-year deal with an option for a five-year renewal based on performance. He believes a longer-term commitment is necessary for the event to grow and succeed.
Council member Lisa Gift raised the issue of proceeding with a long-term contract without fully considering public feedback. She suggested exploring a one-year pilot festival instead. Council member Kevin Eisenberg shared Gift’s concerns but also expressed enthusiasm for the festival idea. He proposed a five-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance, allowing for a balance between commitment and flexibility.
The negotiation process for the festival agreement is expected to take time, providing opportunities for additional community input and feedback. Ultimately, the festival could play a significant role in bringing life back to the fairgrounds and contributing to the cultural and economic development of Calistoga.