Rincon City Council members cleared the way for a country music festival at Freedom Park this August, but they still have to finalize fees and policies for the venue.

Council members tabled action on proposed fees and policies at their last meeting, before agreeing to David Redwine’s request to hold an all-day country music festival Aug. 23.

Tickets will be $20 per person, and Redwine said he will have between 3,000 and 5,000 tickets printed. Gaffney’s restaurant is helping to bring in the headliner, One Night Rodeo, Redwine added.

He also said there will not be alcohol for sale at the event.

“I want it to be more family-oriented,” he told council members.

There will be food and beverage vendors on site, and the event is scheduled to run from noon-10 p.m. Redwine also wants to bring in a second stage for acts. That stage will have to be checked and certified by the city’s building and zoning department.

City public works director Tim Bowles said there is power at the main stage, and Redwine would need an electrician to make sure it could handle the load he needs for the bands and performers.

Redwine is being charged $1,350 to use Freedom Park for the day, and he also will need to work out particulars with the city staff and attorney, especially for security. Council members discussed how many on- and off-duty police officers would be required for the expected crowd and what their responsibilities would be.

“One advantage you have is the pre-sale of tickets and we could adjust (by adding another officer),” council member Paul Wendelken said.

The city council will revisit the proposed fees and policies for the facility, including the amount of liability insurance renters need to carry.

City Manager Wesley Corbitt said the city wants to encourage use of Freedom Park.

“The more business we can bring in, the more sales tax we can bring in,” he said. “That’s how we recoup our investment.”

The city also could offer a lower rate to non-profits, Corbitt continued.

Council member Scott Morgan also questioned if a large crowd was going to be at the facility, then who and how should restroom facilities be provided.

Rincon Fire Chief Corey Rahn added there needs to be a process to address the need and use of first responders.

The policies also need to cover more than people, city planner Lameisha Kelly said.

“Some places don’t allow dogs,” she explained, “and we’ve had some large dogs out there for the Fourth of July.”

Council member Reese Browher said he would like to see the policies and fees in writing and have city attorney Raymond Dickey go over them.

“It’s a good starting point,” he said. “But we’ve got a lot to add to it.”

Country music festival
• When: Aug. 23, noon-10 p.m.
• Where: Freedom Park, Rincon