Village mulls mini-street festivals
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. >> Village Board members are looking for comments on a proposal to close a section of Church Street for mini-festivals during the summer.
The issue will be discussed during an April 12 board meeting, with Mayor Tim Rogers saying there are no specific plans for activities.
“We did three or four Sundays (last year) in August and early September,” he said.
“It was kind of like a pilot to see if the concept worked,” Rogers said. “The feedback was good and what we’re looking for now is additional feedback from the community to see about expanding for a greater number of weekends.”
Under the proposal, Church Street would close from Main Street to Academy Street.
“Last year we just basically provided the closure and just allowed it to happen organically,” Rogers said.
“There were some businesses on that block that set up tables and played music,” he said. “It came out of requests from the local businesses. So we said ‘okay’ and waited to see how it would work out.”
Rogers noted the events last year did include moments of disagreement between participants and neighbors.
“There was one hiccup along the way where one of bands played and was maybe louder than some people would have liked and there was some curse words used, or at least people believed there were curse words used,” he said. “But that was easily sorted out and moving forward we definitely want to see music there, but make sure it’s as palatable for as many people as possible.”
Rogers said oversight of the event will depend on how many people attend.
“If it continues to attract visitors at some point someone will need to step up and organize it and do what is commonly done at other street-fair, flea-market-type situations,” he said. “I’ve been speaking with some folks who have an interest in farmers markets, arts and activism and step up and maybe be the organizers.”
Rogers said there is a minimal amount of involvement by the village and no cost for the event.
“Our (Department of Public Works) on Friday just makes sure that the barriers are nearby so they can be set up on Sunday afternoon and that they take them away on Monday morning,” he said.