Student organizers pitch downtown 4|41 Music Festival to Milledgeville council

Student organizers presented a plan July 14 to hold a downtown 4|41 Music Festival in the spring and use proceeds to support Briar Days Ministry.

Jake Stein, president of Alpha Tau Omega at Georgia College, said the festival would be a one-day, ticketed event designed to “create a safe, well organized event that brings the Milledgeville community together, supports local businesses, and generates meaningful philanthropic impact.” He said the organizers plan to form a 501(c)(3) to manage proceeds and accountability.

The presenters gave preliminary logistics: a downtown stage on Hancock Street, vendor space along Wayne Street, a controlled-entry wristband system, a proposed crowd cap of 5,000 and three designated entrances. Stein said they would use private security and “several police officers,” and include emergency plans and insurance.

Tyler Orzel, who said he has lived in Milledgeville for nine years, described local business and vendor outreach and said the group has experience booking vendors and sponsors from earlier festivals. He added that the group sees a path to financial sustainability: band bookings were estimated at $15,000–$40,000 depending on headliner choice, and the presenters said a low-budget scenario would break even with roughly 2,000 attendees at $20 tickets. The organizers set a first-year philanthropic target of at least $10,000.

Judd Stewart said the organizers are pursuing a 501(c)(3) and expect assistance from contacts in state government to expedite filings, though he acknowledged the nonprofit status might not be finalized before the inaugural event.

Council members and city staff focused questions on permitting and coordination. The city advised the group to work with Main Street and the city manager, and to return with specific dates so staff can process festival designation, requests for street closures and any open-container permits. A staff speaker noted that because Hancock Street is a state route, Georgia Department of Transportation approval will be required for closures.

Council members also pressed on public-safety staffing and post-event cleanup; one council member said private security alone would not suffice for a large crowd and recommended coordinating police staffing and street-cleaning plans through the city manager’s office.

Organizers said they were not requesting city funding and would handle bookings and insurance themselves, noting past experience with a related festival and a plan to make downtown events economically beneficial to local businesses.

The council did not take action on the proposal at the meeting; staff directed the organizers to return with finalized dates and any street-closure or permitting requests so the city can advise on required approvals.

The presentation was followed by additional council advice about coordinating with existing local events and providing clear public information about which charity would receive proceeds.