Council directs staff to negotiate with local promoter for two-day music festival at fairgrounds

The Calistoga City Council on June 17 directed staff to enter direct negotiations with a local promoter, Wright Productions, for a proposed two‑day music festival at the Calistoga Fairgrounds. Staff presented three options; the council generally favored option 3 (direct negotiation) and asked that a negotiated contract return to council for formal approval.

Fairgrounds Director Shelley Wright described the festival opportunity as a low‑cost public-asset activation that could generate rental revenue, transient-occupancy tax receipts and provide marketing opportunities for local vendors. Wright and promoter Gary Himmelfarb said a professionally produced festival would require promoter investment, and the promoter requested an exclusive multi‑year agreement so it could recoup upfront costs and invest in marketing and production.

Promoter Gary Himmelfarb said production investments for a festival could exceed $1 million and that lead artists can command fees around $250,000; he proposed an initial multi‑year term (he discussed a 10‑year preference, noting some advisors suggested up to 15 years) but said contract length and review terms could be negotiated and include performance milestones and exit clauses. Himmelfarb provided proposed October 17–18, 2026 as potential festival dates, saying artist negotiations require a year of lead time.

Public commenters, including business owners and chamber representatives, broadly supported pursuing the festival and highlighted potential economic benefits for hotels, restaurants and retailers. Some council members and residents raised concerns about honoring prior commitments to other community partners (including the advisory committee and an outstanding community survey), neighborhood impacts (noise, parking, traffic) and the need for clear safety, traffic and noise-mitigation plans.

Council members emphasized the following directions to staff: negotiate contract terms that include performance milestones, review and exit clauses; ensure public-safety plans are approved by fire and police; return the negotiated contract to council for public review and approval; and include community‑notification and mitigation measures for neighbors. Several council members proposed a 5‑year contract as a reasonable compromise; others expressed openness to longer terms with review periods. The council did not vote to approve a specific contract or exclusivity period that night; staff received direction to proceed with negotiations under option 3.