Cavendish will get a 2nd music festival this July after council votes on it again

The councilfor the Resort Municipality of Stanley Bridge, Hope River, Bayview, Cavendish and NorthRusticohasoverturned a decision it made two days ago and granted a permit for a major new music festival this summer.

But there's a condition the approval is for one year only.

It will allowWhitecap Entertainment to launch theSommo Festival, a two-day rock concert and culinary festivalJuly 14-15 the weekendfollowing the 2023 Cavendish Beach Music Festival.

But infuture years, the company willhave to reapply for a permit, and may face lobbying to shift from a July weekend.Some in the community suggested a new festival would be more welcome in June, or possibly September, when children are back in school and there are fewer families booking accommodations in the area.

Councillors said 10,000to 15,000people perday are expected to attend the new festival.

Mayor Matt Jelley said a special meeting and a new vote was needed because of confusion over Monday night's vote.

In the earlier vote, councillors voted 3-2 to approve the planning committee's recommendation that Whitecap Entertainment's application to hold the festival that weekend be denied.

But at least one councillor asked for the topic to come up again because there was uncertainty about the wording of the motion.

Councillor KayHryckiwwas the swing vote whencouncillors voted 3-2 to approvethe festival's permit on Wednesday evening.

With regard to residents of the area and business owners whoobjected to the planned dates, Whitecap Entertainment CEO Ben Murphy said the July date is non-negotiable this year because of a big-name act they want to book.

He wouldn't name the act.

The festival already has a rudimentary website as well as a Facebook page.