CITY OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The final vote is in and when Canal Fest takes place this summer the City of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda will be a part of it.
On Monday, 7 News spoke with North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec who shared his excitement for Canal Fest and we also spoke with City of Tonawanda Mayor John L. White who was still undecided.
WATCH RELATED: ‘It is a safety concern’: North Tonawanda ready for Canal Fest, but City of Tonawanda still undecided
Mayor White explained that the city council worried the eight-day festival could stretch the local police force too thin.
“I’d like to see [Canal Fest] happen, but it is a safety concern,” Mayor White said on Monday.
On Tuesday night the City of Tonawanda made its final decision during a special meeting in Council Chambers that was called to discuss tabled resolutions regarding the 2024 allocation of funding to volunteer fire companies and Canal Fest by Council President Jenna Koch.
Safety, liability and police enforcement were concerns that were brought up in the council meeting.
Mayor White supports the votes and said he looks forward to thousands of people flocking to the Tonawandas every year for this event.
Mayor White said, "What came out of it is yes we can. Our police can handle the overtime. We don't need additional enforcement to come into our City. I thought that was important to get that message across tonight. It was unified. We had three votes that we needed to make it happen. I'm a supporter."
Members of the community were given time to share their thoughts.
City of Tonawanda native Ronald Walker told Pheben Kassahun he loves what Canal Fest has to offer the community but said he would only support it if it gets cut down to four days. He is also worried first responders will be spread too thin to continue working after the eight day festival ends.
"Eight days is too long," Walker explained. "Looking at the fact that it's a strain on EMS services, the police and fire services that they're already strained, needing more people. Their numbers are down just like the fire departments are."
He added that the long-running festival is not worth the price that is invested in it.
"Money isn't everything. Don't get me wrong. I like a party just as much as the next person but you got to be a little bit more prudent when it comes to that," Walker shared.
City of Tonawanda resident Ray Schultz also weighed in.
"It's important to all of the organizations. They don't just go to the bank and sit on it. They share it with others. They help other not-for-profits and people who are in need," Schultz said.
He fully supports Canal Fest continuing in the City of Tonawanda.
Residents stressed Canal Fest is a very important part of Tonawanda history.
Tonawanda Erie County Gateway Lions Club president Bob Starr said, "I really want it to happen here in Tonawanda. North Tonawanda has jumped ahead of them and signed a 3-year deal with the Canal Fest organization. Tonawanda needs to do something like that in order for this event to continue to flow."
Bob Starr told Kassahun the money it brings to nonprofits is very helpful
"They (Canal Fest) permit us to be on their campus selling our hotdogs and our hamburgers and cheeseburgers and our Italian sausages, and we do beer, wine and wine slushes. This is how we raise money for our organizations and for others," Starr said.
On Monday, Mayor Tylec told 7 News that the festival would happen regardless of the City of Tonawanda’s decision, even if it was entirely in North Tonawanda.
