Calistoga council approves five-year license with music promoter for multi-day fairgrounds festival

The Calistoga City Council voted to authorize execution of a consultant services agreement with Rite Music Production for a multi‑day music festival at the Napa County Fairgrounds.

Supporters, including business owners and the applicants, urged the council to approve a multi‑year agreement so the promoter could make the upfront investments necessary to stage a festival. Opponents and one council member cautioned that a five‑year exclusivity for multi‑day rock festivals could limit future event options and suggested either a two‑year trial or a time window that would allow other promoters limited opportunities.

Council member remarks and public comments focused on the promoter’s need for multi‑year planning to recover large up‑front costs, the risk of pigeonholing the fairgrounds to one genre, and protections for community events. The agreement as presented included exclusivity for multi‑day rock festivals while preserving the city’s ability to hold city‑sponsored events; council discussion noted that single‑day rock concerts would not necessarily be barred under the contract’s language.

The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Mayor Williams and seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega. After reopening public comment on the item, council took a roll call vote recorded as unanimous. Staff will return executed documents and manage contract implementation details.

Quotes in this report are from the council meeting transcript and public speakers.