The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen have revoked a special amusement permit for Wiscasset racetrack owner Douglas White to host a return engagement of Oxxfest, a traveling heavy metal music festival that was slated for this summer.
The unanimous decision comes on the heels of White’s decision to sell the track after a tentative lease agreement with a prospective steward fell through. According to independent music promoter Steve Smith, a business partner of White’s, the board’s decision effectively “torpedoed” any chance of Oxxfest, which featured national recording acts including Shinedown and Sevendust, from occurring.
“My understanding is that the concert was still in play,” said Smith April 25. “A comprehensive plan was submitted; we had no other information to give them.”
The selectmen had previously required a plan be submitted 90 days prior to the show to include information on security, medical services, parking, and police detail.
Smith said if the show were to happen, July 30 would be a target date, which would require the selectmen to make a decision before May 1 unless they extended a deadline for the final plan. Due to their schedule, the board was not scheduled to meet until May 3.
“Hopefully they are not making decisions based on rumors they heard about Doug,” said Smith. “The saddest part is that Oxxfest sold more tickets last year in Wiscasset than Philadelphia, Houston, or Dallas. It’s a million dollars that won’t be coming into the area.”
Opinions in town concerning the festival, which drew over 10,000 people to the Wiscasset area last July, were mixed. In prior comments, Selectman Bob Blagden said the economic impact was tremendous and had heard mostly positive reactions from residents.
In addition to Oxxfest, White was approved for two other special amusement permits for a circus and a motorcycle enthusiasts’ gathering called “Bikefest 2011.” Smith said if the track was purchased, he was certain the new owner would want to host the event.
“Unfortunately by killing it, they may be killing it forever,” said Smith. “If the town doesn’t want a million dollars to pass through then it’s their decision.”
White, who was not present at the April 19 board meeting, did not return phone calls from The Lincoln County News. As reported earlier, White is selling the track for $500,000 after investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades, including major renovations to the seating areas, for the 43-year-old facility located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset.
