Coastfest gets Select Board approval despite neighbors’ noise complaints

The Select Board approved a one-day entertainment license for Rise and Shine Productions’ Coastfest on Aug. 1, 2026 and later approved the festival’s associated one-day alcohol permit, despite vocal objections from some neighbors about noise levels.

Applicant Luke Vos told the board the production relies on dark-hour lighting and video production and that cutting the event an hour short would reduce revenues and the artistic elements that draw attendees. He said the final hour generates much of the concession and ticket revenue his nonprofit relies on to fund the event.

Neighbors described repeated disruptions during previous events. Rick Maple, who lives near the band shell, said noise levels exceeded 80 dB at his home 150 feet from the stage and that the eight-hour event era has caused family disruptions. He presented recordings and asked the board to deny the license.

Other neighbors, the manager of the adjacent Admiral T Apartments, and event attendees described positive community benefits: multi-generational attendance, strong site cleanup and crowd control, and modest police incident reports. Police said the department recorded only a few noise complaints and two isolated intoxication incidents during the last festival and praised event coordination.

After hearing both sides, the board voted to approve the Coastfest entertainment license (3–? vote recorded as unanimous in meeting transcript) and the related alcohol permit. Select Board members asked the organizer to continue efforts to reduce off-site noise and to coordinate with police on complaint-handling.