Hot Blues and Barbecue will return to Oxford next year, but under new leadership and in a completely different venue.
On Aug. 23, the village council voted to accept the responsibility for the planning and execution of Hot Blues and BBQ 2006.
Council did this based on an Aug. 15 recommendation from the Oxford Downtown Development Authority, which organized the first annual blues festival held June 25 in the municipal parking lot behind the village and township offices on W. Burdick St.
‘The DDA didn’t feel that it benefitted the downtown because it’s the type of event that people came to listen (to music), not to browse the downtown,? said village President Renee Donovan, who also sits on the DDA board.
She noted that many people were ‘very comfortable? eating at the event, so they did not visit downtown restaurants.
Although Councilman Steve Allen said he understands the DDA’s point of view, he noted, ‘I know of several local businesses who were involved that actually did quite well.?
Great Lakes Mercantile sold a lot of Mackinac fudge during the festival, according to Allen.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever see anyone sell that much fudge in my life,? he said.
Downtown businesses aside, the DDA board also agreed ‘the event might benefit more in a park type location,? referring to Scripter Park on S. Glaspie Street.
‘I feel that the park would be a better setting, a more comfortable setting actually,? Donovan said.
Allen said that perhaps the stage could be placed down near Round Lake so that the performers would face the crowd seated on the hill overlooking the water, ‘creating a natural amphitheater.?
Because of Scripter’s ‘very limited points of access,? Allen noted it ‘would actually be a little easier to control security-wise than (the municipal parking lot).?
Holding the blues festival at Scripter Park as opposed to the parking lot would also save $2,800 in chairs, bleachers and other rental items, according to Allen.
Allen said he’s already talked with businesses along S. Glaspie Street about the possibility of using their parking lots, most of which are not used on Saturdays, for festival parking next year.
‘Not one person said it wouldn’t be possible,? he said. ‘They said something could be worked out quite easily.?
The councilman noted this would ‘eliminate? the need for a shuttle between parking and the event.
As for festival partners and sponsors, village of ficials indicated they’re lining up now.
Allen said Big City Rhythmn & Blues Magazine and Detroit Blues Society ? the two groups which originally partnered with Oxford for this year’s event ? have already pledged their support for next year and want to make it the kickoff for the 2006 Blues Challenge.
Also, an ‘area radio station? and Daimler-Chrysler have expressed interest in sponsoring the event, according to Allen.
‘My fondest hope is that we can get enough sponsors that the admission charge to this is zero,? the councilman said. This year general admission was $10 per person.
Donovan noted that the Great Oaks Civitan Club ? the service organization that ran the blue festival’s beer tent this year ? ‘would be willing to continue? working on the event and ‘become more of an integral part of the planning.?
Donovan is a charter member of the local Civitans.
Village officials are quite optimistic about the future of Hot Blues and BBQ given this year’s success.
‘The people who came to it and responded via e-mail to us were so positive,? Allen said. ‘And without fail every one of them wanted to make sure that it was going to be held again next year.?
‘I think over the course of a couple years of doing this, you’ll see more and more and more people come to it and it will become a regular event.?