![Bands on the Blackwater draws a crowd to Milton, but does it take away potential visitors for other Milton events? That is the question. [ci.milton.fl.us]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-4bcd493d-b76d-380c-e053-0100007f81e5-8ec167ad.jpeg)
MILTON — Dates have been set and flyers have been printed confirming the Bands on the Blackwater Spring Series will kick off April 14.
However, discussion at Milton’s last Committee of the Whole meeting has everyone questioning if the council will, at some point, reschedule the event.
It started last week with an item to approve the event application for Big Screen on the Blackwater, a downtown event held the first three Friday nights in December. The issue passed a unanimous vote to go onto the city’s executive committee.
Before the council could move forward, Kyle Verner, president of RE Development Inc., the company that manages the Imogene Theatre for the Santa Rosa Historical Society, voiced a concern.
“I would like to state that the Imogene Theatre and Historical Society are 100 percent supportive of [events downtown, such as] Bands on the Blackwater,” Verner said. “But I think it’s important that we analyze the most effective time period for which to have that event based upon the usage and the amount of business that is normally held at the downtown businesses on a Friday night.”
Verner named a few downtown merchants that bring in Friday night crowds, including the Imogene, stating that having Friday night events “would not necessarily be the most effective use of those dollars.”
“I think it would be more effective to have (Bands on the Blackwater) on another night — Tuesday night, Thursday night,” Verner said.
He then urged the council to not pass any additional Friday night events until a determination of their impact was finalized.
The benefits of changing these events’ days?
Councilwoman Peggi Smith supports the change because it would allow for a longer weekend, and lessen downtown traffic on Friday nights.
“I think it would be an enhancement,” Smith said. “Most people go out to dinner on Friday and Saturday, so if the concerts were on Thursday, that gives people a three-day weekend and something to do on weeknights that doesn’t last [late].
“Maybe they’ll stick around afterwards and have a late-night bite or a drink.”
There are drawbacks, however.
Councilman Casey Powell stated that not as many people will attend weeknight events.
“We just won’t have that audience,” Powell said. “Kids won’t come during the week.”
City manager Brian Watkins said the Press Gazette should survey residents on which day they would prefer.
Business owners particularly should be surveyed, Cassandra Sharp, owner of the Old Milton Post Office, said.
“I think Thursday night is now a better night for Bands on the Blackwater,” Sharp said. “It has served its purpose for attracting people downtown on Fridays, but now it is actually competing [and hurting] businesses.
“That was not the intention of the original effort. It is a positive thing that it is popular, and this type of action to change the days is quite common for successful events.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Council considers changing event dates