Dozens of residents voice their concerns about Grizzly Fest moving to Woodward Park

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Inside of Liberty Elementary School in northeast Fresno, residents gathered to address their concerns about Grizzly Fest possibly taking over Woodward Park in May.

For the past three years, the one day concert featuring live music has been held at Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno.

This year the promoters are making it a two-day event bringing more than 20,000 people to see big headliners like Snoop Dogg and Nas.

Mike Andritchs lives about a block from the park. He is opposed to having the event there because of the music that will be blasted near residential neighborhoods.

"Last year I walked out in the front of my house and there was a rap concert going on across at the Rotary Amphitheater and I specifically heard the F word and my grandson says grandpa that is bad words. We had to take him inside our house. So yeah if there is foul language being broadcasted all over the neighborhood, I got a problem with that," said Andritchs.

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld says he has been fighting to keep Grizzly Fest out of his district. He feels it violates the city of Fresno's 10 p.m. noise curfew ordinance.

"For $100,000 we are going to wipe away our ordinance to play music until midnight. In this case, when they shut down the music it is a terrible precedent. What's next? Half a million dollars so we can land at Woodward Park," said Bredefeld.

Over the last two weeks, Bredefeld negotiated penalties with the promoters.

They reached in agreement that if the music does not stop at 11:30 a $1,000 fine will be given for every minute until 11:40 p.m.

Then if it goes past that time a $10,000 fine will be handed out for every minute until midnight.

After midnight, a $100,000 fine will be issued for each minute.

"I might go see him," said Heath Garris.

Garris believes the fine is a bit much. He hopes people in the community will latch on to the idea of Grizzly Fest being held at Woodward Park.

"I can understand Snoop Dog but I've seen a lot of concerts here and it's just fun and it's just people coming together and having fun and chilling," said Garris.