The Smith County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a music festival permit for property identified as 1291 Arden Lane (tax map 53‑1‑15), authorizing the event proposed for Aug. 8–10 as applied by Sonic Bloom Productions, contingent on adherence to the applicant’s parking plan, trash‑management policies and a 50‑foot buffer from adjoining property lines. The board recorded the action after a public hearing and after county staff reported that required agency letters were on file or pending.

The permit matter drew two written objections from neighbors. Eve Holler Buchanan, the owner of the farm adjoining the proposed site, and Stanley Bridal, who leases adjoining pasture, sent letters saying past events on the property had produced trash, fence damage and drunk driving that threatened livestock and public safety. Buchanan’s letter, dated July 23, 2025, said noise, traffic and alcohol had previously stressed cattle and caused fencing failures; she warned of the potential for tens of thousands of dollars in livestock losses if animals escaped into Highway 107. Bridal urged strict controls including traffic and parking plans, fencing reinforcements, surveillance and limits on alcohol access.

County staff told the board the application included a site plan, written confirmation that the town fire and EMS were aware of the event, and a sheriff’s office letter stating the proposed parking and traffic measures were adequate. The health department approval was reported to the board in the minutes as arriving “in the last 10 minutes” before the hearing and was entered into the record by county staff.

Planning staff explained that Smith County’s music‑festival ordinance provides an administrative approval pathway when applicants submit on time and neighbors raise no objections; if an applicant misses the administrative filing deadline or neighbors object, the process moves to a public hearing so the board may weigh the concerns. The ordinance also sets enforcement options, including an enforcement provision noted by staff that violations may be charged under local code and requires event insurance. County staff told supervisors the applicant must provide a minimum one‑million‑dollar insurance policy as part of the permit application.

Board members debated a package of conditions before the vote. Recommended stipulations included: all parking must follow the site plan and be located on the applicant’s property (no parking on Arden Lane); adherence to the site’s trash and sanitation plan; relocation of a campsite shown immediately adjacent to the Buchanan property to increase separation; a 50‑foot setback between camp/restroom areas and the adjacent property line; and a recommendation that the applicant and adjacent landowners meet before the event to document fence conditions and agree on post‑event cleanup and restoration. The board’s motion to approve included those conditions as requirements and explicitly recommended a pre‑ and post‑event inspection and photo documentation, though the board recorded that the inspection plan was recommended rather than a condition that would automatically void the permit if not completed.

Supervisors said they would ask the sheriff’s office and the health department to report any incidents tied to this year’s event so the board would be better informed should a future permit application arrive. The board approved the permit at the meeting after the public hearing; the minutes record the vote as unanimous and the permit was entered on the record with the conditions described above.

The board’s action does not alter civil liability for third‑party conduct (for example, impaired driving by attendees) and supervisors said enforcement of any violations would follow the county ordinance and applicable state law.

The applicant’s site address and the full permit file will remain on record with county planning staff; neighbors asked staff to include contact information for complaint reporting during the event and to ensure required insurance and security plans are on file prior to the permit being exercised.