Competing Candy Dance permits go to commissioners

The possibility that two competing festival permits may be approved in Genoa for the weekend of Candy Dance has organizers of the annual fundraisers looking for ways to adapt.

Douglas County commissioners are scheduled to discuss festival permits for Phillip Stoll and Martha Williams for Sept. 26, 27 and 28.

Stoll owns the Autumn Boutique at the White House and has filed a map containing more than 40 booths. Antiques Plus owner Williams has filed a map for her annual Peddlers Fair with 58 booths.

Both festivals have arranged for security, medical, firefighting, parking, trash and insurance.

What they don't have is approval of Genoa's town board members, who voted to ask county commissioners to deny competing festival permits to Candy Dance at a Nov. 6 meeting.

Williams said the county held her to the book when she was applying for the Peddler's Fair.

"I jumped through every hoop they threw in my way," she said. "They even threw the kitchen sink, but I dodged that. Barbara Griffin was really hard on us. She told us we had to comply with everything in black and white."

Williams and Stoll are splitting the cost of law enforcement for their event.

She said she and Stoll have tried to compromise with Candy Dance organizers.

"We've tried repeatedly to make nice with Genoa and it has not come to anything," she said. "We still would like to come to an agreement for 2009, so we don't have to go through all this again and Genoa doesn't have to goo through it again."

The Genoa Town Board met Tuesday night to discuss the applications.

That discussion is agendized to include changes to the event site, addition of new partnerships and changing the date of the dinner dance that gives the event its name.

Town Board chairwoman Kitty DeSocio said several proposals to work with the other festivals are being examined by the town.

"We are trying to step forward and realize what is there and get along with our neighbors and our community," she said. "I don't understand why both parties can't compromise and come up with a solution that works not just for Genoa, but for all of Douglas County to benefit the health and welfare of everyone."

The town is still seeking booth vendors for the Candy Dance, and will accept applications until spaces are filled.

Applications are available from the Genoa Town Office, (775) 782-8696, or online: www.CandyDanceArtsandCraftsFaire.org.