A lively crowd packed a June 1 public hearing to argue the merits of Oxxfest, the July 31 concert at the Wiscasset Raceway that will feature Shinedown, Chevelle, and other popular rock bands and could attract 5,000-15,000 fans.
The Wiscasset Board of Selectman approved Doug White’s permit for the concert with the stipulation that another hearing will take place to evaluate the effect of Oxxfest before the Raceway hosts any more concerts.
White said the concert, the first of its kind at the Raceway, has been two years in the making. After plans for a concert featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Doobie Brothers last August failed to materialize, White said he hired Wiscasset resident Steve Smith to help him restart the process. Together, Smith and White approached promoter Live Nation.
White stressed Live Nation’s reputation, informing the crowd that the corporation handles stars like Madonna and Toby Keith. Before Live Nation agreed to work with White, he said, a representative inspected the Raceway and spent time in the community.
The people that will come to the concert, White said, are “not going to be aliens. There’s not going to be anyone from outer space coming down.”
Oxxfest took place last summer at the Oxford County Fairgrounds, and, according to White, “The concert was a success [with] little or no incidents.”
As a member of the community, White said he wouldn’t host an event that he thought would bring harm to Wiscasset. In an economic sense, at least, he believes Oxxfest will represent a much-needed influx of cash to local businesses.
If the Raceway holds multiple concerts in the future, as White plans to, he estimated the total economic impact at $4,000,000-$5,000,000 a year.
A small contingent of residents vociferously opposed the concert. Skip Taylor compared Oxxfest to Woodstock and warned the selectmen that, after Woodstock, “the voters tossed out the board of supervisors.”
Sherri Dunbar said she lives near the Raceway. “I have concerns about the security,” she said. “Are they going to be able to contain that many young people doing lots of drugs and drinking? I don’t think so.”
Alex Grey, a representative of New England Concerts, a subsidiary of Live Nation, deflated the comparisons to Woodstock. 500,000 fans showed up for the famous 1969 concert, he said, while the promoters had only prepared for 50,000. Internet ticket sales prevent this kind of problem from repeating itself, he said.
“We will know within 100 people who’s going to show up,” he said. He assured town officials that his company “will indemnify the town, will indemnify the police department,” limiting Wiscasset’s liability in any possible lawsuit.
Grey also praised the work of the security contractor hired for Oxxfest. The company, he said, has provided security for public appearances by President Barack Obama. “They aren’t the cheapest, but they are by far the best,” he said.
In addition to better planning, the clientele at Oxxfest will differ drastically from that at Woodstock, Grey said. “These are mainstream individuals that you would see at Wiscasset Ford,” he said.
In response to a question from Dunbar, Grey said fencing, as well as guards, and some patrolling on ATVs, will prohibit movement in or out of the concert grounds. “Once you come, you come. Once you leave, you leave.”
Dunbar expressed dissatisfaction with Grey’s reply. “It’s not fair. It’s not fair,” she repeated. She said she only found out about the public hearing on May 27. “Why are we having this shoved down our throats?” she asked.
Town Clerk Chris Wolfe replied the town has just 15 days to make a decision on any application of this variety. Notices of the public hearing appeared in local newspapers and were posted at a number of locations around town, she said.
“It’s not a secret,” said First Selectman Bob Blagdon.
“It is to me!” Dunbar retorted.
Pertinent local officials met with White and Grey before the hearing and the selectmen asked them to report their findings.
Roland Abbott, director of the Wiscasset Ambulance Service said, “What we can provide them is going to be more than adequate… I can’t see where it will impact us at all.” As New England Concerts will pay the Ambulance Service, Abbot said their participation will result in profit to the town.
Other officials, including Wiscasset Fire Chief Rob Bickford, Transfer Station Superintendent Ron Lear, Road Commissioner Greg Griffin and Local Health Officer Rick Lang, made similar statements.
Lang presented a list of concerns to the board of selectman at their May 18 meeting. “They addressed it very well,” Lang said.
Lieutenant John Allen of the Wiscasset Police Dept. registered concerns about a number of issues, including alcohol and drug use, adequate parking and noise levels, but ultimately gave his assent. “I feel reluctantly that this should go on,” he said.
Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett expressed concerns about liability issues. “I am very comfortable with the security company,” Brackett said, but he suggested that selectmen impose conditions on the permit.
Many residents spoke in favor of the concert. Heidi Wall said she lives near the Raceway. “A lot of people are looking forward to this,” she said. “It’ll give us something to do other than waiting for the next antique shop to come into town.”
Linda Hamlin said she owns a house in the Raceway’s parking lot. Visitors to the Raceway often drift over to her property to admire her Palomino, she said. “I’m not unwilling to let the little hoodlums have some fun… we had ours.”
Ashley Gagnon delivered a passionate speech in favor of the concert. She compared residents’ attitudes about the concert to the public reaction to Elvis Presley in the 1950s. “Music was making the world come to an end,” she said.
Likewise, she explained, “This is something new, something you’re not used to.”
Gagnon said the community’s attitudes discriminated against fans of Oxxfest’s music. “The opinion of this community would be completely different if this were a country concert or… a classic rock concert,” she said.
“Older generations are afraid of change,” she said, but in this case, she said, they need to get in line. “We need something to get this place back under way.”
Skip Taylor returned to the podium next to elaborate on his opposition. “What happens when the doors close and everyone is leaving in various states of confusion?” he asked. He also said that, with town services concentrated heavily at the Raceway, “This would be a great day to rob the bank.”
Harry Lewis spoke briefly in favor of the concert. “I think it’ll do wonders for the town,” he said.
Jeff French said he “lived in the shadows” of the Raceway. French said he didn’t care for the bands, but addressed Dunbar when he said, “I think we’re going to be alright.”
“We might have to take a ride to the beach for the day,” he suggested.
Selectmen voted 4-0 to grant the permit. Selectman Robert Fairfield abstained.
For more information on Oxxfest or to purchase tickets, visit http://oxxfest.net.
