No concerts at Geneva riverside preserve, committee decides
A Kane County Forest Preserve Commission committee has squelched plans to have a three-day concert series at a preserve in Geneva.
The planning and utilization committee voted unanimously Thursday to turn down a request from Onesti Entertainment to use Gunnar Anderson Preserve, along the Fox River, for the shows in July, committee chairwoman Rebecca Gillam said.
“There were several considerations,” Gillam said. “The panel was especially worried about damage to the turf in the park.”
Onesti Entertainment would have had to put up a performance bond to pay for repairs. But commissioners wondered if the land would be ready to host previously scheduled events the following two weekends. Onesti estimated 8,000 people would attend the event over the three days.
The committee also discussed concerns about allowing alcohol in the preserve; allowing the preserve to be used after dark (preserves normally close at dusk); and noise. And they didn't want to reduce about $8,400 in fees to $500, as Onesti asked.
“This was an unprecedented request,” Gillam said. She said that maybe some of the matters could have been worked out if the commissioners had more notice. Onesti applied for permits in April.
“It really surprised me it (the vote) was unanimous,” Ron Onesti, the event promoter, said.
But, “I completely and totally respect where the forest preserve board was with this,” as far as protecting their property, Onesti said.
He said he will announce another venue for the three-day series early next week. The event was to have featured the band Whitesnake on Friday night, the Commodores, and Kool and the Gang on Saturday, and country acts on Sunday.
May 18, Geneva aldermen refused to waive a large portion of fees the city would have charged to provide police, fire and utility service to the event.