OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) -
The International Bluegrass Museum Board of Trustees has decided to keep the ROMP Festival in June despite bluegrass fans voting in a recent survey they would like to see it moved to the end of May.
Last year was the hottest ROMP on record with temperatures hitting 107 degrees, but even with those temps, ROMP officials think the fest should stay the end of June.
There's no doubt about it, the River Of Music Party is a money maker for Owensboro.
"Bluegrass in general is huge for our area and ROMP is the biggest bluegrass event of the year, so the impact locally is huge. Folks come in town to eat. They come to restaurants, shopping all that kind of stuff," said Sean Dysinger with the CVB.
ROMP took place in late June this year right in the middle of 100 degree plus heat wave.
"Anytime you have an outdoor festival, weather is an issue, and now, ROMP has had its fair share of weather issues. We had storms last year and then record breaking heat this year," Dysinger said.
"It was awful hot. It was 107 degrees. I was out there a couple nights," said ROMP supporter, Ken Bosley.
But despite the heat, people came out in record numbers. Earlier this month, ROMP officials asked fans to fill out an online survey asking if they'd like to see ROMP moved to May to avoid some of the heat. A majority said they would prefer to have it in May, but at Monday's meeting however, officials voted to have ROMP in June again in the next year. Tourism officials don't think it will matter much.
"I have yet to see it has too much of an impact on the growth of the festival. It gets bigger every single year," Dysinger said.
"People come anyways and that's all you can say," Bosley said.
ROMP is set for June 27th, 28th, and 29th. On Thursday, museum officials will find out if ROMP, one of three festivals nominated, will get Bluegrass Event of the Year.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
There's no doubt about it, the River Of Music Party is a money maker for Owensboro.
