Kitchener a long-term home for Big Music Fest, promoter says

People take in the 2014 edition of Big Music Fest at McLennan Park in Kitchener. (@stacemeister / Twitter)

A scaled-down show and ensuing political fracas shouldn’t be taken as signs that Big Music Fest may move away from Kitchener, the festival’s promoter says.

“It’s a non-issue. I can hardly wait to get into 2016,” Mark Higgins told CTV News on Thursday.

After several years spent moving between various homes in southern Ontario, Big Music Fest settled in Kitchener for 2014.

That summer saw two days of concerts at McLennan Park, as well as Breaking Bands, a one-night ‘battle of the bands’-style event.

When the 2015 edition of the festival was first announced, it also included several nights of events in downtown Kitchener, leading up to the three shows at McLennan Park.

In June, the final day of the concert – which had been slated to feature Rod Stewart, Blondie and other performers – was cancelled.

That drew the ire of Michael Harris, the Progressive Conservative MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, who questioned whether the festival still deserved the $270,000 grant it had received from Celebrate Ontario.

An online petition also sprung up, calling for part of the grant money to be returned.

In an interview, Higgins called Harris’ comments “grandstanding” and “political posturing,” and said he had since sent the politician a letter outlining his position.

“I think there was a lack of knowledge on his part on how they structure the Celebrate Ontario grant,” Higgins said.

“I think there’s peace now.”

As Higgins tells it, the grant played a key role in allowing Big Music Fest to expand into the downtown, and add several nights to its schedule.

That schedule could expand even further in 2016.

Higgins says next year’s iteration of the festival will run over two or three more days and include a “sports component,” details of which will be announced at a later day.

“I think it’ll be our best year,” he said.

Beyond that, Higgins says he has a “verbal agreement” with the city to keep Big Music Fest in Kitchener for 10 years.

To qualify for Celebrate Ontario grants, events have to prove that they increase tourism, highlight their host area, and are sustainable.

Big Music Fest reported a $7-million economic benefit to Kitchener in 2014.

Numbers for 2015 are still being calculated, Higgins said.