Break the Silence festival returning
Council approves fee waivers in support of Sept. 10 event aimed at suicide prevention, awareness
An annual event aimed at combating suicide will return Sept. 10 to Glenn Miller Park, aka City Park, in downtown Fort Morgan, with some assistance through the City of Fort Morgan.
The 6th annual Break the Silence music festival will be from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 10.
“Our purpose is to lift the stigma, break the silence and offer resources for suicide prevention and mental health awareness,” the Facebook event page reads.
City Council has approved waiving $2,116 related to park fees and deposits, and trash, police and street closure costs to make the event possible.
“It has grown to be very popular through the years,” said Emily Goggins, Fort Morgan’s recreation coordinator. “This will be their third consecutive year at the same location.”
An application with the city from event organizer Kelly Paris indicates the event will provide suicide and mental health resources, and offer vendors, children’s games, entertainment, a comedian, guest speakers and a memory wall throughout the event. It draws a crowd of about 1,200.
“The city’s support for this event has always meant a lot,” said Paris, following unanimous City Council support of the fee waiver. “To have that and to see grow is very amazing.”
Funds raised during the event are applied to expenses related to offering the festival and an outreach program aimed at assisting those struggling with mental health issues, the application reads.
Break the Silence is a 501c non-profit organization founded by Paris.
Specific to the request being presented to City Council was approval of a beer garden.
“It is a beer garden on public property,” Deputy City Manager John Brennan said. “We’ve done this with Bobstock, the (Fall Harvest) Car Show and this event.”
Similar to the other mentioned events, the beer garden or the festival in general has not created concerns for police, Chief Loren Sharp said.
One unique addition to the event this year could be the addition of a petting zoo, Goggins said.
The beer garden is planned to be located south of the park on East Beaver Avenue, a map provided to the city reads. That led to one concern that appeared to be resolved.
“We believe the project in that area with HGTV will be at the end of their schedule, so we don’t think it will be a conflict,” said outgoing City Manager Steve Glammeyer, in response to a City Council inquiry.
Main Street will be closed from Beaver Avenue to Bijou Avenue. The map indicates State
Street will also be closed adjacent to the park.