OCTOBER 15, 2009 ISSUE
Art in the Park To Remain at American Legion Parking Deck
The Blowing Rock Town Council on October 13 voted 4-1 to approve a five-year lease of the American Legion parking area and upper level of the American Legion two-level parking deck to the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce for use during Art in the Park.
Art in the Park, held one Saturday a month from May to October each year, features 100 artisans from across the eastern United States and draws as many as 3,000 visitors to Blowing Rock each time it is held.
Last year, the chamber proposed moving the festival back to Memorial Park, where Art in the Park was originally held. But council members and town staff expressed concerns about moving the event to Memorial Park—including wear and tear on the grass and trees—and requested a more detailed plan from the chamber.
This year’s Art in the Park utilized the American Legion parking lot, as it has for several years, and it also used space on top level of the adjacent parking deck that was completed early this summer.
Appearing before the council on October 13, Blowing Rock Chamber President Rita Davis said the chamber ultimately decided that the American Legion location was the best fit for the festival.
“There’s never been any question about whether or not the event itself will continue,” Davis said. “The question is location.”
In addition to concerns about damage to Memorial Park’s trees and grass, some artists also expressed concerns about moisture or mud from the ground damaging their pieces, Davis said.
“At this time I really don’t believe that [Memorial Park] is the best place for the show,” she said.
David said the chamber preferred the American Legion area because it is safe, is convenient to downtown, doesn’t block traffic to the police department or neighborhoods and has enough space for the vendors.
The chamber also consider the Maple Street parking lot and Park Avenue—the latter of which residents strongly opposed.
Council Member Tommy Klutz opposed the motion to locate Art in the Park at the American Legion because he favors returning the festival to Memorial Park. Additionally, as an opponent of the town’s construction of two parking decks, it bothers him that the parking deck is not being used for parking on one of the busiest weekends of the year, Klutz said at the meeting.
But Mayor J.B. Lawrence noted that the bottom level of the parking deck is open for parking during Art in the Park, providing 52 more parking spaces the town didn’t have before.
The council also voted to increase the vendor fees, which haven’t increased in 20 years. Vendors will now pay $5 more—or $15 at each event—to sell their works at Art in the Park.
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