A new idea for local promotion – Why the stoney silence?

What if the Town of Front Royal designed a smart-growth opportunity and gained some income while doing it? What about developing another type of signature event, similar but different to the ones now staged annually?

Thinking of the Village Green with its Gazebo? Not me. That would start small without room to grow the event. Surely some of our civic groups and businesses or business organizations have noticed this. Granted there are many types of events held there and some would be better placed out of the historic East Main Street area, too. Consider the parking problems when the events are held at the Gazebo area.

Think about the town owning the site or maybe cooperating with the county who might share some of their space, preferably along Commerce Avenue where the visibility is high and where some areas have more parking space available. Income to Town and County. Why not?

The space that may be utilized on weekends would be available during the weekdays. Family reunions? Community events of other kinds? Church events? Demonstration type events for youth sports, various offerings in town – health and wellness with all the options such as yoga and Tai Chi thrown in. What about dance events or showcasing dances in historical periods? Some want gospel music, others want bluegrass, some for the blues, and others for classical. I’d even line up to watch mud wrestling. It is a dream scheme to showcase human talent and creativity day after day. Farmers Market anyone? Get healthy and come to the other events, too.

Stone cold faces have greeted this suggestion, which is not new for me to say. I persist to the next question with hope at heart. Where and how could there be a site larger which would permit expansion? What if we asked about Town-County cooperation because the visibility of event and the parking are better in a county park on Commerce Avenue or close into that area? What about private property being purchased along Commerce if possible?

Yes, it would or could be quite an investment. With a plan and a sense of commitment, possible.  Wonder if anyone from Tourism is reading this? A new position for an Event Coordinator? Oh wait, current elected and appointed town officials in their infinite interim LLC and ideological wisdom are downsizing and/or outsourcing Tourism.

But in the best of all possible worlds: cost of using the site? Reasonable. Site specs: wired for performance possibilities.

Local experts to help design because music has its needs and drama does, too. All these little details are within control.

Are there really stone cold faces about this?

How could you not have fun and draw people to our community week after week for an economic recovery aid; to learn more and appreciate the human talent here is never boring, and always alluring. Why people might even say this is one clever, smart town and wander downtown and around the county to visit stores and opportunities for fun enough to spend the weekend for which we have good hotel space and lovely Bed and Breakfast places.

Linda Allen
Front Royal, Virginia