City fines Escapade Festival organizers for early start to loud music

Some residents of Old Ottawa South and Alta Vista say the music at this weekend’s Escapade Festival was too loud as the city received dozens on noise complaints

The organizers of the Escapade Music Festival in Ottawa will face a fine for allegedly playing music earlier than permitted under a noise exemption granted by the City of Ottawa, according to Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr.

The popular electronic music festival at the grounds of the RA Centre is allowed to play music on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

According to Carr, no noise from the grounds was permitted before noon, but a sound check could be heard as soon as 8 a.m. before the exemption period began.

The violation resulted in a $490 fine from Bylaw Services, she said.

Escapade organizers did not respond to a request for comment.

• City receives 26 noise complaints on first night of Escapade Music Festival, Ottawa councillor says

In an statement to CTV News Ottawa Monday, Bylaw and Regulatory Services director Roger Chapman said the noise bylaw prohibits the use of reproduction devices that “disturb the peace” prior to noon on Sundays.

“Following public complaints yesterday, By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) issued one charge to the organizers of the Escapade Music Festival for sound checks taking place prior to noon on Sunday,” Chapman said.

Bylaw says multiple noise readings throughout the weekend conducted both proactively and in response to complaints found the sound was within the allowable noise limit of 65 dBA when measured near homes and businesses.

“There were no violations recorded, other than some minor traffic and parking issues,” Chapman said.

“Overall, the change in venue and the work of the organizers to mitigate noise issues led to a successful event. BLRS will continue to work with the organizer in the future to ensure continued compliance.”

The festival wraps up on Sunday night after a weekend featuring some of the biggest artists in EDM, including Kygo, DJ Snake and The Chainsmokers.

Overnight thunderstorms and heavy winds forced organizers to delay the start of the day by one hour to clean up the venue, according to the festival’s Instagram.

The annual festival elicited dozens of noise complaints from residents of nearby Alta Vista and Old Ottawa South over the weekend. Bylaw Services services say they received 57 calls associated with the music festival, including 26 complaints on Friday and 21 on Saturday.

“I appreciate that there are some concerns from residents, that it has been disruptive. I understand people may not have been able to undertake the daily activities in the same way, but it is allowable,” Carr said, who adds she received additional complaints through email and social media.

The festival was allowed to play music on Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Some residents say events like Escapade are important to make the nation’s capital a vibrant city.

“To me, actually, it’s a nice sound. It’s something that makes us think about the community and the city around us and people having fun,” said Alta Vista resident Brady Allin, who admits he’s more of a “rock and roll guy.”

Carr says events like Escapade are a big driver of tourism and have a positive economic impact on the city.

“Economically, they help the city, and they do provide an opportunity for people to listen to the music and have a good, enjoyable three days,” she said.

It’s the first time the festival has been held at the RA Centre since 2013 after moving to Lansdowne Park in 2017.

Bylaw Services laid charges against the festival’s organizers in 2023 after receiving over 100 complaints from residents about excessive bass noise and loud music.

That year, the city said organizers did not receive a noise bylaw exemption.

Carr says she sees the festival returning to the RA Centre grounds.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see it at the RA Centre again in future years. The only impacts that have really been reported are the traffic impacts that occur when it shuts down and that’s the same as any other event in the city,” she said.

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