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Jazz & Ribfest may move to Canal Winchester
(by Linda Dillman, staff writer - January 05, 2010)
Pickerington's popular summer Jazz & Blues Ribfest could relocate to Canal Winchester following a "no" vote by the Pickerington Council Safety Committee to allow the event to be held in one of the city's parks.
Previously held on Pickerington's Columbus Street for 11 years, the early August festival outgrew electric and water utility access for vendors and the sound stage, and was in danger of cancellation until an event organizer contacted Canal Winchester Mayor Mike Ebert and other village officials about the situation.
Ebert said news about the potential move traveled fast.
"Pickerington has put on the Jazz & Blues Ribfest for 11 years," said Ebert, "but Pickerington is not going to allow that to happen anymore. The organizer came to us and asked if we could help them out. We're meeting with the (Canal Winchester) Labor Day Committee to make sure there isn't a problem. We're going to meet with the businesses to see if they're on board. Right now, it's all preliminary."
Ebert and a festival organizer, along with Canal Winchester Development Director Chris Strayer, members of Main Street Canal Winchester, business and community representatives, and volunteers are studying the proposal. Ebert said a decision must be made by the middle of January.
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