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Friday, July 25, 2014
Questionable Decisions in a Possible Plan to Move a Famous Festival Out of Town
August Update: It has been decided that Tennis Committee's tennis court project in Centennial Park is on a hiatus for now and maybe several more years.
April 2017 Update: The current courts are being renovated and will not affect festivities for the county's upcoming 51st Annual festival.
Previous Post: The Marshall County Blueberry Festival of Plymouth, Indiana has been in Centennial Park for almost half a century; this year's festival will be the 48th Annual Blueberry Festival. There is an idea among at least one festival board member that the Blueberry Festival's location might have to be moved several years from now, and the reason is astounding to many residents: the festival might be transferred to another city to accommodate more tennis courts in Centennial Park. According to The Pilot News, the City of Plymouth "committed $750,000 towards the project, and private and business donations have reached the $150,000 mark. Early estimates of the cost of the project are $1.7 million." If the tennis complex will be built, popular attractions like the hot air balloon glow, car show, some headlining concerts, kid carnival rides, and fireworks would have to be moved — hence why the festival board might decide to alter the festival's location/events or move the festival out of Plymouth entirely.
Quite frankly, two things bother me about the decision to fund a tennis complex to replace tennis courts that, in my experience, are in relatively good shape. First, there would be a disadvantageous economic effect if the festival board decides to move the festival. Even downtown businesses would benefit from this festival because some visitors would go downtown to dine and shop. Second, the $750,000 the city is willing to fund - and the $1.7 million cost to build the tennis court complex - could be put to much better use. Many Americans are still looking for jobs. Struggling Americans may be hungry and living paycheck-to-paycheck. The amount of money required for this project can feed many residents, plant many community gardens, and fund programs to help them get better quality jobs and rise up into the middle class.
This situation so far is not over yet; the board may end up deciding to keep the festival as-is if they realize the festival's many economic benefits. From a geographer's perspective, the Marshall County Blueberry Festival figuratively puts Marshall County and Plymouth on the map; Americans across the country spend time with family in the area and partake in the festival's many festivities.
Do you live in the Plymouth, IN area or visit the Blueberry Festival, and want to share your thoughts about this story or the festival? Feel free to post a comment below, thanks!
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2 comments:
I do not understand the problem. The park is there to promote fitness and recreation thorughout the year. It is not to be simply a fairground. The fact some within the Blueberry Committee feel that they have the option to move shows a lot of hubris on their part. The event is Plymouth and Plymouth is the event. If they want to move it...so be it. Plymouth will just start another festival that works with the community instead of against it. To throw the tennis courts into this is unfair especially since it is simply keeping the space green space the same. I think this is more about a contract that is expiring and some folks want to play hard ball with the park board and city to get what they want.
Hello, thanks for commenting! Of course we both do not share the same opinion, but I respect your viewpoint. I do believe the Blueberry Committee can keep the festival right where it is, even with new tennis courts. Of course there may be some adjustments, but the tradition can continue. I realize that the project will simply flip flop the green space (hopefully reverting the old courts back to grass), but it still presents an inconvenience (at least short-term). There are other ideal places for tennis courts, including an unused facility that already exists, albeit it's not in Centennial Park. Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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