![Bands on the Blackwater is a free concert series held on Friday nights in summer in downtown Milton. Some attendees have complained about the presence of smoking and dogs at the event. [ALICIA ADAMS | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-4d4b77d6-4353-2e35-e053-0100007fe439-d9e01922-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON— Bands on the Blackwater is a source of entertainment for Milton residents on Friday nights. However, some people say the event could use improvements.
The concert series kicked off April 14 at its new venue on South Willing Street, adjacent to its original location. Attendees enjoyed the new area, right on the Blackwater River, but many disliked the presence of dogs and cigarette smoke during the event.
“Smokers need to sit in a specific area and not in the midst of the crowd,” Janet Raines of Milton said. “They also need to be told to pick up their cigarette butts and don’t leave them on the ground.”
Raines also said she thinks dogs shouldn’t be allowed at the event.
“On Friday (April 21), two large dogs got into a fight and owners had to pull them apart,” she said. “These two changes would greatly enhance our enjoyment of Bands on the Blackwater.”
Raines is not the only resident who feels this way.
“There needs to be a smoking section away from everyone else … It’s unsafe to have dogs in crowds and no one wants to step in dog poo,” Pamulia Nelson said. “Kids are playing in the grass and people are dancing without shoes. Keep the dogs at home.”
Ray Slingerland said he agreed with the dog and smoking concerns.
“Some child will be bitten by a dog before the season is over,” he said. “Maybe a designated smoking area is in order.”
What does the city plan to do about these concerns?
City officials are aware of the smoking issue and are researching measures for all concert attendees to be comfortable within the crowd, according to Milton public information officer Pamela Holt.
“It is our intent for all who attend Bands on the Blackwater to be comfortable,” City Manager Brian Watkins said. “We will be surveying participants to hear their opinions on the matter.”
As for the dogs, city officials said that they have only received one formal complaint within all seven years of hosting Bands on the Blackwater; that complaint was received two weeks ago.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Dogs, smoking at Bands on the Blackwater spark concern