Voices of Elk Grove - Longtime resident bemoans cancellation of Elk Grove's 2024 Western Festival
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| Longtime Elk Grove resident Brian Coulson told Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen the Cosumnes Community Services District was "doing the community wrong" by canceling the 2024 Western Festival. | |
During the Wednesday, April 24, 2024, Elk Grove City Council meeting, one resident pleaded for the mayor and city council to intervene in the cancellation of one of Elk Grove's oldest annual events, the Western Festival. Speaking to Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city council, longtime resident Brian Coulson bemoaned the cancellation.
The Cosumnes Community Services District sponsored the event with city grant funding, and the cancellation was announced earlier this week.
"We do have a problem, and none of us knows where it comes from," Coulson told the mayor and city council. "Some wording, some action, something."
According to several reports, the CCSD canceled the events after organizers did not submit the required paperwork, even after being given two extensions. On Monday, the CCSD sent a cancellation letter to the volunteer organization running the event.
The event has been a mainstay of Elk Grove for over 60 years. However, it was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic and was marred several years ago by street fights in 2011 and 2017.
In his commentary, Mr. Coulson said it was his understanding the wording was incorrect. He nonetheless implored the mayor and city council to help save the event.
"I don't know if the wording is wrong because its called a western festival, or if the wording is wrong because they can't get insurance," Coulson said. "Somebody doesn't have enough money and don't know how to spell it. I just don't understand."
Colson also said the CCSD "was doing the community wrong, and I don't like it."
Mayor Singh-Allen reminded Coulson that the CCSD organized the event but said she would speak with him after the Wednesday meeting ended. Coulson's entire commentary can be viewed in the video.
The Western Festival posted a letter on their website responding to the cancellation and asking the CCSD for more assistance.
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