Lind Town Council approves Adams County Harvest Festival-with conditions

The Lind Town Council has approved plans for the Adams County Harvest Festival, but some conditions have been attached.

Diane Kennedy, the organizer of the event, joined the June 11 council meeting to request formal approval for the festival. Kennedy told the council she had made progress in addressing some of their concerns from the June 11 meeting. However, she said some steps could not take place until after the council approved the event.

For instance, the council wanted all insurance purchased and a license from the Washington State Department of Transportation obtained. Kennedy said she didn’t want to pay for insurance if the event isn’t going to be approved, and that the licenses were pending on the insurance and approval of the council. She read an email from WSDOT assuring the permit would go through.

The council also expressed concern about Kennedy hiring her brother to run security. Kennedy explained hiring a security company would cost more than she expects the event to bring in. Kennedy said she would have her brother provide a full resume and references.

Part of the festival includes a car and bike parade downtown, requiring some road closures. Councilwoman Rose Elkington worried that would inconvenience wheat farmers trucking their product to the scales. After considerable discussion and attempts to find an alternate route for the trucks, Kennedy offered to allow trucks to interrupt the parade and get through. This satisfied the council.

Councilman Jim Dworshak asked who would be directing traffic. Kennedy said she hadn’t figured that out yet.

Dworshak then motioned to approve the festival with the following conditions: Kennedy must show proof of insurance, show the WSDOT permit and have people in place to direct traffic and detours. Mayor Paula Bell suggested the insurance and permits be required to be shown in a July meeting. The council unanimously passed the motion.