By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
The city of Salisbury has granted permits necessary for a three-day barbecue festival that’s coming to town.
On Thursday, the city granted the permits to organizers of the first Salisbury Barbecue and Cultural Arts Festival.
It’s scheduled for May 1-3.
According to an authorization for the festival, the 300 block of East Council Street will be closed for the festival. The authorization comes per the direction of the Salisbury City Council after representatives met with the Salisbury-Rowan Cultural Arts Foundation.
According to an authorization form signed by Mayor Susan Kluttz, George Busby, the festival organizer, provided:
– A certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $1 million for the duration of the event.
– A release and hold harmless agreement executed by the organization.
– A completed Public Street Festival and Special Event application.
– Coordination with public services and police department personnel to address issues related to site sanitation and security throughout the duration of the event.
– A speciality market business license issued by the City of Salisbury’s business office.
Permission to issue the festival permit and close the street was granted by a unanimous vote of city council members on April 7.
The permit apparently puts to rest concerns that city leaders had involving the statewide event.
City Manager David Treme had earlier complained that the arts community, Downtown Salisbury Inc. and tourism officials had little knowledge of the festival.