Village Fest Board issues warning to Shriners after April 23 noise, physical push reported

The Village Fest Board voted June 23 to issue a formal warning to the Shriners organization after a vendor-reported incident at Village Fest on April 23 that involved loud entertainers, a refusal to lower volume and at least one reported physical push.

Don Cook, who identified himself as representing the Shriners, told the board the dispute began when entertainers' speakers were directed toward vendor booths and he twice asked for the volume to be reduced. "The third time I asked him, he said he wasn't going to turn it down," Cook said, and he described a moment when a larger individual was pushed amid the confrontation. Cook said he called police and that officers did not require the entertainers to reduce volume.

Board members and staff discussed the festival's noise expectations, the municipal noise ordinance and the Village Fest code of conduct. Staff noted entertainers should keep speakers oriented toward the crowd so booths are not overpowered and recommended vendors contact staff if a volume issue arises rather than engaging directly.

Chair Roberts moved that the board issue a warning letter to the Shriners organization stating that future incidents must involve staff intervention and that repeated violations could result in dismissal from Village Fest. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Staff said the warning will be issued by the city and that officers and event staff will continue to coordinate on-site; the board asked that staff also remind entertainers to point speakers away from vendor booths. The board stressed that vendor safety and the ability to conduct business without disruptive noise are priorities for the event.

No arrests were confirmed in the packet material presented to the board; board members said staff should be the primary point of contact to de-escalate future disputes.