No campfire songs at Orillia City Council this evening. Althought they will be debating camping during the Mariposa Folk Festival, a lot of local residents are not singing the praises of the idea.
Council has to decide whether to give the Mariposa Folk Festival permission to have onsite camping at Tudhope park for people attending next years event.
A public meeting last week resulted in dozens of people speaking out against the whole idea of camping at the park at any time, not just during the folk festival weekend.
Since then, Council has received 15 letters from concerned citizens dealing with the proposed camping idea with 12 of the 15 residents living near Tudhope Park opposed to the Folk Festival camping initiative.
The previous council did allow the Ride for Sight to camp overnight at the park this past summer, and that, as some people have pointed out, has set a precedent that this council must deal with.
Neighbours of Tudhope Park have complained of loud noise and alcohol use during both events as two reasons not to allow overnight camping.
The Folk Festival officials counter by saying they have allowed volunteers and artisans to camp overnight for many years and there have be no complaints or issues.
