Boots and Hearts closes to mixed reviews from music lovers, residents

It was a day to pack up and to clean up after the Boots and Hearts Festical delivered the largest music and camping festival in Canada.

Republic Live, the organizers behind Boots and Hearts estimates 40,000 people participated in the four day event at Burl’s Creek in Oro-Medonte. They say concert-goers were very pleased with the festival.

“We had 40,000 country music fans that just had one the greatest weekends of their life here,” says Laura Kennedy. “The performers were amazing and there was so many great surprise moments throughout the weekend.”

The OPP say that from a policing standpoint the concert was a success, but not everyone is happy. Bruce Wiggins is part of a group of local residents who say they are disappointed that the concert went ahead without all the necessary land permits. He’s adamant that the fight isn't over.

“We're well financed; we have members and we're here for the long haul,” he says. “We told our members it would be a two year fight.”

The Township of Oro-Medonte says they're looking into whether or not Boots and Hearts and the WayHome Music and Arts Festival violated land use bylaws.  Officials say they gathered evidence at both concerts and are now processing it.

“They're just going to need time to review and access it and do the due diligence and from there a report will be prepared for council to review in due course,” says Samah Othman, spokesperson for the township.

Bylaw violations have already been filed against burl's creek for last month's automotive flea market.

Although some local residents would like to see an end to big concerts at Burl’s Creek, Suzanne Cameron isn't one of them. She spoke with many of the concert-goers and says there's bound to be some inconveniences when your home is hosting a major event.

“I feel confident that not only what I experienced here, but what they experienced was good and safe for them,” Cameron says.

As for future events at Burl’s Creek, The Farmer’s Market returns this Friday and Republic Live tells CTV News that planning is already well underway for Boots and Hearts 2016.