A draft policy that looks to establish quotas on the number of festivals and special events on public and private lands in Banff, including farmers markets and sporting and recreation events, has been postponed in order to solicit more feedback.
At a meeting Tuesday (May 24), council postponed debate on the new festival and special events policy after Banff Lake Louise Tourism requested an extension of time to more fully review the document and its implications.
Mayor Karen Sorensen also asked administration to set up meetings with Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Banff Lake Louise Hospitality Association to present the draft policy, and she invited members of the public to also provide feedback.
“I want to be clear, though, that if the Town is going to approve any special events on private land, council needs a policy in order to provide direction,” said the mayor, noting the existing policy deals with events on public lands.
“We’ve had numerous requests in the last couple of years that we were dealing with on an on-off basis, but it’s coming so fast at us now that we need to have a policy in place in order to treat everybody fairly.”
Banff has several long-standing special events like Melissa’s Road Race, Canada Day and Winterstart, but in recent years there as been growing interest in more events, including Christmas markets, yoga festivals, sporting events, and wine and food shows.
The proposed festival and special events policy suggests capping the number of days for special events, including farmers markets, seasonal markets and craft fairs, sporting and recreation events, food and beverage events and cultural exhibits.
There would also be restrictions on the time of year certain events could be held.
Farmers markets and community fairs must meet a “make it, bake it, grow it” criteria, which means only locally produced products made, baked or grown by the seller or immediate family of the seller, or by a member of a producer-owned cooperative. can be sold
Under the draft policy, products and services originating from outside a 500-kilometre radius, as well as franchises or distributorships, would not be permitted at farmers markets in Banff.
As part of the proposed new policy, all special events will require a business licence. Market organizers will require a market business licence, but individual vendors will not.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Jolene Brewster, co-founder and manager of the Banff Christmas Market which runs out of Warner Stables, said it’s an important policy to put in place.
She pointed to European Christmas markets and the success they bring to various areas, as either a prime motivator to visiting the area or one of the major activities visitors do once there.
“The goal of the Banff Christmas Market is to increase visitor activity during the November shoulder season,” said Brewster.
“Our values and vision behind the event are 100 per cent focused on building a Christmas market authentic to our destination here in Banff.”
Brewster said the make it, bake it or grow it rule does make sense, but the Christmas market would like to draw on Canadian creativity not just within a 500-km radius. She supports that 25 per cent of the market’s vendors come from across the country.
“Artists from Winnipeg, Thunder Bay or Victoria bring unique inspiration,” said Brewster. “We believe it is important to always bring the newest and freshest designs and products to ensure long-term success and renewal of the event, both for our destination and our visitors.”
Jennifer Laforest, development planner for the Town of Banff, said there have been varying opinions on the proposed policy so far, with some tourism and business operators suggesting capping the number of events is arbitrary.
“Generally, special event organizers expressed concern with the opportunity to secure a market licence, as well as the requirement for all vendors to meet the 100 per cent make it, bake it, grow it,” she said.
“The retail sector demonstrated general concern with the increasing number of vending opportunities offered in conjunction with special events,” she said, noting several retailers supported the requirement for 100 per cent make it, bake it, grow it criteria.
