Council denies noise exemption for Paris Drinks Fest, forcing venue change
- Casandra Turnbull
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
County of Brant council has voted against granting a noise bylaw exemption for Paris Drinks Fest at the Syl Apps Community Centre, a decision that prevents the popular summer festival from returning to its current location in 2026.
Council defeated the exemption request in a 6–3 vote during its Dec. 16 meeting, with Mayor David Bailey and councillors Steve Howes, John Bell, John Peirce, David Miller and Brian Coleman voting against the exemption. Councillors Jennifer Kyle, John MacAlpine and Lukas Oakley supported the request, while Coun. Robert Chambers was absent.
Without the exemption, amplified music would not be permitted at Two Rivers Stadium, effectively requiring organizers to find an alternative venue for the event.
Paris Drinks Fest has been held at Syl Apps for the past two years after relocating from Lions Park due to flooding linked to nearby development. Council had previously designated the 2026 festival as a municipally significant event during a November meeting - a step required for a Special Occasion Permit - but stopped short of offering long-term support for the location.
A staff report presented to council noted that the 2025 event drew approximately 4,200 attendees and generated an estimated $487,000 in economic impact for the region. Staff also acknowledged that complaints related to the event were “nominal compared to the number of attendees and residents who have not filed complaints,” but referred the exemption decision to council due to ongoing concerns about the site’s proximity to residential neighbourhoods.
Public feedback submitted during the exemption process raised concerns about noise levels, vibrations, public intoxication and late-night disturbances in surrounding neighbourhoods.
Several residents living near Syl Apps described music that rattled windows, disrupted sleep and forced families indoors or away from their homes during the festival weekend, always held in mid August. Others cited loitering, litter, marijuana smoke and people congregating on private property after the event ended.
Coun. John Bell said complaints received during and after the 2025 festival influenced his decision.
“Council has a duty to consider the well-being of the impacted minority,” Bell said in an emailed statement. “I give more weight to a complaint from a local resident than a fest attendee from out of town who disapproves of our decision.”
Bell emphasized that his objection was to the location, not the event itself, and said he would support the festival at a site that minimizes impacts on nearby residents.
Coun. Steve Howes echoed that view, saying allowing amplified music at Syl Apps could set a precedent for future events.
“If it’s good for Drinks Fest, it has to be good for any other events,” Howes said. “Syl Apps is not the right location for big, loud events in today’s community.”
Coun. David Miller, who also voted against the exemption, said additional opposition emerged in the days leading up to the council meeting.
“There were a number of letters from nearby residents that came in just prior to the meeting in which they voiced their strong opposition to the event,” Miller said. “Many did not know that they could even voice an objection, which leads me to believe that there is more than likely even more neighbours of Syl Apps that would be opposed.”
Coun. John Peirce stated publicly that his vote was not a reflection of opposition to the festival, but rather concern over venue suitability. He said staff have been directed to continue working with organizers to explore alternative locations.
Mayor David Bailey said he supports the festival and hopes discussions will lead to a solution.
“I believe it brings economic and social benefits to our community,” Bailey said. “I remain hopeful that through discussions we can work with the event organizers to find a suitable solution.”
Councillors who supported the exemption pointed to the festival’s cultural and economic value.
Coun. Lukas Oakley said the event aligns with the County’s Arts, Culture and Heritage strategy and highlighted that nearly five per cent of the County of Brant’s population attended the festival in 2025.
“I was confident in what I had seen from the organizers,” Oakley said, adding that efforts were made to minimize disruptions.
Festival organizers also expressed disappointment with council’s decision, noting that the noise exemption had been approved administratively in previous years.
In a statement released after the vote, Paris Drinks Fest organizers said council’s decision was based on six noise complaints and confirmed the event would not return to Syl Apps in 2026.
Organizers said the festival has generated an estimated $2.5 million in economic impact since 2018 and emphasized its focus on local food and beverage producers. They confirmed they are now seeking a new venue and asked council for a list of public spaces that would be supported for future events.
The Paris Fairgrounds, frequently suggested by residents, is not an option, organizers said, as it is private property and unavailable for events of that nature.
News of the decision sparked strong reaction online, with residents calling for council to overturn their vote.
An online petition calling for reconsideration gathered more than 1,300 signatures within 48 hours of the decision. Supporters questioned whether denying the exemption undermines the purpose of designating the event as municipally significant, particularly given its downtown economic impact during ongoing construction.
Other residents, including some living adjacent to the site, said they experienced minimal disruption and praised organizers for being responsive and organized.
Council has directed staff to continue working with organizers to explore alternative venues for future editions of Paris Drinks Fest.