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Chester council tables $20,000 artist contract for Peace, Love and Unity Festival amid budget questions
Summary
Council delayed approval of a proposed $20,000 artist contract for the Peace, Love and Unity Festival pending clearer detail on total event costs, sponsorships and use of city special events funds.
Chester City Council on March 12 voted to table a resolution authorizing a contract with Dre Shaw Entertainment Group to provide a national recording artist at the Peace, Love and Unity Festival for up to $20,000, saying more information about the event budget, sponsorships and logistics was needed before the city commits funds.
Council members and residents asked when the festival will occur, how much the total event will cost the city beyond the artist fee, and whether the city’s special events fund or other municipal dollars would cover expenses. The proponent for the festival said the event is planned for Sept. 13 outside City Hall, said the artist is a national recording artist who is touring, and said sponsors and donors had been lined up to raise additional funds beyond the city allocation. The sponsor also said the city had already budgeted $25,000 for this festival in the current fiscal year and that the artist fee of $20,000 would be covered within that allocation and additional sponsor funds.
Councilwoman Gibson asked for the item to be tabled until the recreation committee could review details; another council member argued the artist needed to be secured and urged not to table. After the meeting’s procedural sequence was clarified by the solicitor, council voted 3–2 to table the resolution and asked that the recreation committee receive more detailed information — including a full budget, sponsorship commitments, timing and vendor plans — before returning to the full council.
The resolution was expressly made subject to the city solicitor’s approval; council noted the contract language prohibits naming or promoting the artist until the agreement is executed and a deposit is paid. The council requested the recreation committee meet quickly to review materials so the city can decide whether to finalize the artist contract.
No contract was executed at the March 12 meeting. Council asked staff to bring a more detailed plan to committee and to clarify how the festival would fit with other events such as July 4 or Juneteenth.
