Georgetown may be separating from the town of Three Rivers for its next Summer Days festival.
The issue divided town councillors during their monthly meeting on April 27, held by a video conference. Cathleen MacKinnon, Three Rivers' events co-ordinator, noted that whether any of their community festivals go ahead this summer is subject to whatever COVID-19 health measures may be in place.
However, the committee running Georgetown's festival wants to be prepared in case things move ahead. During a February meeting, the idea of merging Three Rivers' seasonal festivals into one, region-spanning festival over the same weekend was pitched, which the Georgetown committee opposed.
"Bigger isn't always better," co-chairwoman Mallory Peters said during council's March 2020 meeting. "We're trying to stay unique to our individual communities."
Following Peters' statement to council, the newly-formed festivals, arts, culture and events committee didn't feel comfortable forcing the Georgetown committee to collaborate, MacKinnon said.
She pitched the idea of Georgetown operating its festival independently, while the other towns, such as Montague and Cardigan, merge their programming. It would buy Georgetown individuality, but the cost would be it might have to secure its own funding and proof of insurance.
A final decision has yet to be made, and the Georgetown committee is wondering whether its Summer Days would receive any support from Three Rivers should this route be chosen, MacKinnon said.
"These have been working for a number of years the way they've been going, so I don't know why we as a council want to change that."
AT A GLANCE
- The Georgetown Summer days committee is arguing that having festivals co-occur in multiple towns will require people to pick and choose which activities they attend, meaning less attendance for each one, Peters said.
- As well, having them be separate ensures each community stands out. In addition, multiple festivals could still be eligible for the same funding opportunities while being spread out over multiple weekends.
Coun. Cindy MacLean felt that forcing the Georgetown committee's hand on this decision was like a "slap in the face" to its volunteers. Council should be promoting its hard work toward fostering these festivals because good volunteers are hard to come by, she said.
"These have been working for a number of years the way they've been going, so I don't know why we as a council want to change that."
Mayor Edward MacAulay, who sits on the festival committee, agreed with MacLean's point but also noted that some of Three Rivers' communities have been slow to change and the municipality must work on growing its identity as a whole.
"This is the kind of discussion that should have happened before amalgamation."
Coun. Cody Jenkins clarified that Georgetown's committee doesn't want to separate and isn't opposed to collaborating in some way, he said.
"They didn't want to go independent. It was a suggestion made to them."