Mount Forest Fireworks Festival committee’s chairman Ray Tout wants to find more ways to accommodate cars and campers to keep people in the community for this year’s events.
Tout said, “As you know, we’ve reached the top 100 festivals [in Ontario] for the second year in a row which we’re pretty proud of.”
Tout said there are a few changes in the works for the festival this year. One reason he was at council was to speak of progress, but also to get information.
Last year, 510 classic vehicles were lined up along Main Street in Mount Forest. He said organizers were overwhelmed with that response, and over 300 have already registered for this year.
As a result, instead of just shutting down the main street, the idea is to expand it east and west along Wellington Street.
Changes would need to be in place to accommodate that, he said.
Instead, of parking diagonally, cars along the side streets would be parked as normal vehicles. The intent is to keep the central portion of the road more open for emergency vehicles.
He has already spoken to the police and local fire department – who do not see it as an issue.
Tout said the number of volunteers will also be increased to deal with road barriers at the ends of King and Wellington, in case something serious happens.
“I do not want to take the car show from the main street,” he said. “I think it is key and is part of the success in the past.”
Another issue is camping.
He said the idea is to make use of the grounds of the old arena on King Street. Tout wants to utilize the paved parking lot and tarmac for RVs and trailers. That area would be fenced off.
He said the soccer field would be used for tents only.
While there would be portable washrooms and sinks, Tout stressed that it is rough camping only, with no hydro, and rough camping will be the way the service will be advertised.
The camping was a pilot concept, although there has been requests for it in the past.
Tout pointed out that with the 15 teams in the ball tournament, last year the closest some of them could stay was Orangeville.
“I firmly believe if we can retain them in the community, they will spend in the community.”
The festival is slated from July 17 to 19.
