The show did go as planned this weekend at Wildflowers Farm on Fruit Ridge Line in Central Elgin. But not without controversy. Was it a festival to celebrate the honey harvest or was it a concert to celebrate The Tragically Hip? Owner and operator Jane Magri says it was definitely the former.
However, Central Elgin Mayor Sally Martyn says the festival wasn’t quite the sweet deal it was made out to be.
One hundred tickets were sold for the event on Saturday and again Sunday, and Martyn says although the property is not zoned for such an event no complaints were received under a municipal bylaw.
Martyn advises the issue is whether the farm is a legitimate agri-tourism business and whether an approved COVID-19 safety plan was in place.
Magri insists a plan was approved by Southwestern Public Health.
Magri adds the site was rezoned as agri-tourism in 2017 so they wouldn’t have to apply for a special permit each time an event is held.
