Ian France of Ian France Entertainment speaks with media at Amherstburg Town Hall, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Ian France of Ian France Entertainment speaks with media at Amherstburg Town Hall, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

Fusion Fest Sparking Amherstburg Debate

A newly proposed food and beverage festival in Amherstburg isn't getting much support.

Art By The River Chair Lou Roth opposes the Fusion Festival because it falls on the same weekend as his not-for-profit event, which has been running for 48 years.  "All of the sudden, we find out that someone is trying to get into our (weekend).  We spend a lot of money on advertising; three billboards to bring people down, all kinds of advertising, tv, radio, and now they're just going to piggy-back on us."

Ian France, who is proposing Fusion Festival in Navy Yard Park, believes the two can co-exist on the same weekend.  "I get that it started tugging at the heart-strings of the people in town and it is what it is.  I'm not disappointed.  I'm not deflated in any way.  The event will take place, it's just a matter of the venue."

France says he's going to look at potentially changing the venue, but is confident that Fusion can still take place on the last weekend of August.  He hopes to get final approval for the festival at Amherstburg's next council meeting.

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