Ottawa’s Folk Festival organizers have been slapped with a fine of more than $300 after violating noise bylaws on the festival’s opening night.
The fine came after the city received multiple complaints about noise coming from Hog’s Back Park on Wednesday night, where the festival is taking place.
“It was very loud, both inside and outside,” said John Smart, who lives in the Glebe, about 5 kilometres from the festival sight. “I found you really couldn’t think, or read, or watch TV, it was distracting.”
Smart called 311 to complain. After waiting around half an hour to get through, he was told by an operator that the city had received multiple festival noise complaints, which is why he was made to wait on hold.
Folk Fest’s executive director Mark Monahan says the complaints were unexpected.
“We’re trying to be a good, responsible festival partner in the city…we hope the residents will understand that.
“We’re trying to mitigate any complaints we have,” he said. “We are actually working with bylaw (officers) tonight to make sure we’re not exceeding any decibel levels.”
On Thursday night, Smart said he could not hear any festival noise.
Lorde, Serena Ryder, Lucky Ron and COIG were among the acts that performed on night two of the late summer festival.
Folk Fest continues until Sunday night.
