For some residents a return to the three days of peace and music wouldn’t be much of a blast from the past, but a local group is hoping to bring a taste of rock history to Nelson.
At Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, the Transition Nelson Society presented a proposal to council for a Heroes of Woodstock concert.
“I thought it would be a natural fit for Nelson,” said Bill McNally, who made the pitch on the society’s behalf. “I wrote to say please urgently consider this.”
In the proposal from the society they said they have a tentative booking with Michael Gaiman, agent for the performers involved in the Heroes of Woodstock show for August 13, 2012, which is the 42nd anniversary to the day of the original Woodstock performance in Bethel, New York.
Performers include Jefferson Starship (formerly Jefferson Airplane), Country Joe, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Melanie, and Edgar Winter.
“There is the possibility of doing it in Lakeside Park, if some of the performers are still alive next year,” said McNally with a laugh.
The show would also be good timing, according to McNally, because it’s the weekend following the Shambhala Music Festival at the Salmo River Ranch.
“I don’t think there is any real reason why it wouldn’t work,” he said. “The weekend after Shambhala, there’s lots of people milling about. It would be easy to get 3,000 to 5,000 people. It would give Nelson a summer music festival. There is no reason why we couldn’t use Lakeside Park for an event like this.”
The only major roadblocks to the Heroes of Woodstock making a stop in Nelson would be security and a venue.
McNally said he’s been speaking with Nelson Police Department Sgt. Howie Grant and will continue to work with them if the show moves forward.
As a venue Lakeside Park was suggested by the society, but Mayor John Dooley suggested the society look at using the airport.
Acting mayor Margaret Stacey joked that Lakeside Park would be filled with 5,000 music lovers over the age of 65.
Dooley said, “I hope that you have a lot of toilets.”
The proposal was referred to City of Nelson staff and council.