After the Thompson-Nicola Regional District said it had serious concerns about what it called an unsanctioned music festival, organizers have moved it to the Fraser Valley.
The TNRD said the Electric Love Festival was scheduled to be held on the B.C. Day long weekend at the Allie Lake Ranch near Vidette, west of Savona.
However, the organizer announced yesterday the B.C. Day long weekend festival will be held at the Cheam Fishing Village in Agassiz.
The TNRD issued a press release on Friday morning, expressing concerns relating to the health, safety and security of those planning to attend the event, along with concerns about the protection of the environment. The TNRD noted Electric Love organizers had not obtained the required regional-district approval to host the concert.
However, Electric Love organizer Dennis Nukina told KTW the festival had not necessarily settled on Allie Lake Ranch as a venue.
Nukina said he applied to the TNRD six months ago for an event permit, noting he had also spoken to health and police officials as planning progressed.
Nukina said he was then told the regional district did not have enough time to process the necessary permits, so organizers began looking for a new venue.
Among the TNRD's concerns were:
o Lack of co-ordinated safety and response plan with RCMP and other emergency services;
o Adequacy of access for emergency vehicles to the event location;
o Risk of wildfire;
o The remote location of the event and distance from medical facilities;
o On-site sanitation and potable water;
o Risk of harm to agricultural lands and sensitive environmental and riparian ecosystems.
The Electric Love Music Festival has a website and Facebook page promoting a number of performers at what it says will be a drug- and alcohol-free event.
