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Missouri man hopes to rekindle the "magic of Comstock" |
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
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By Ellen Mortensen
Chief Managing Editor
COMSTOCK - - For the past eight years music fans have flocked to pasture in the middle of nowhere to see and hear some of the best talent country, rock and Christian music have to offer. This year the future of the entire festival was in doubt, when concert promoter and property owner Henry Nuxoll became entangled in a legal battle over finances that is yet unresolved.
One of the outcomes of these legal battles involves the property, and the festivals themselves, changing hands - a move new owner Jim Proskocil says was never his intention. Now, Proskocil has one goal - to make the concerts survive.
"Our plan this year is to survive. If we can break even this year we will increase our budget next year by four times," Proskocil said.
The timeline has been the biggest challenge Proskocil has had to face so far. The license and permit process did not begin until March, and Proskocil says by that point many promoters were no longer willing to work with the organization.
He says because of past experiences with the festivals, the state required $45,000 cash bond down before they would issue a business operator's license. The Custer County Board of Supervisors approved a liquor license for Proskocil at the June 24th meeting.
While the country and rock festivals will take place this year, there will be several changes other than the change of hands. The country festival has traditionally been held in June, but this year was moved to July - just one week prior to the rock festival. The country festival will now be held the same weekend as the annual Blues Festival in Arnold - a conflict that in the past has been avoided.
The set up on the grounds will be a little different this year, as the Dempster House was not part of Proskocil's acquisition. That means a different location needed to be found to park the musician's buses and serve as the "headquarters" during the festival.
"Viaero was generous enough to allow us the use of their building across the road to the south of the concert site for the performers," said Proskocil. The buses will also be allowed to park there.
Fans of the concerts seem less optimistic about this year's event, and the future of the festival in general. Many had purchased tickets and camp sites in advance for this year's concerts, which Proskocil says he has been advised to not honor.
"I am not being allowed to honor the previous tickets because that would interfere with litigation," explained Proskocil. "If I honored those tickets, I would have had to pay the past sales tax on them and other debtors would have then had an avenue to pursue collections through me."
The change in ownership of the festivals affects more than just the fans attending the concerts. Comstock Postmaster Janet Cox says she is concerned about the loss in revenue the post office is facing.
"When Henry (Nuxoll) had his bulk permit, he made sure all mail for the festivals went in and out of this office," said Cox. "Now we're not seeing that."
"This has been a big economic boost to our area in the past," Cox continued. "A lot of people might not realize just how big a boost until it's gone."
Many residents of Comstock, who prefer to remain anonymous, say they feel abandoned and left in the dark by the new owners. Along with the financial benefits involved with the festivals being held locally, many of the locals were happy to volunteer their time to help in whatever capacity they were needed. As of yet, none of the previous volunteers have been contacted to help this year.
With the country festival scheduled for July 10-13, and rock festival July 17-20, the next few weeks will determine the future of the Comstock events. Proskocil says the most important thing in this business is accountability; time will tell if he lives up to the task. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 11 July 2008 )
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