Arena Heat A Problem For Festival

The heat could be on between the Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce and the city over whether the Richard G. Lockwood Civic Center will ever host another North Country Wine, Beer and Food Festival.

The second annual chamber-sponsored event was a popular and financial success when it was held Aug. 14-15 at the city-owned building on West River Street. But hot and humid weather outside during that weekend turned the facility with its apparently spare ventilation into a sweat chamber that prompted complaints from the chamber, the public and some of the festival's vendors.

Chamber Executive Director Sandra M. Porter said Wednesday the organization wants the festival to stay where it is.

But the heat issue has given rise to second thoughts and other sites.

"We are rethinking the arena," she said.

Paying $5 a head last month, more than 1,000 people generated enough revenue to guarantee the chamber a small profit on its $7,000 investment in marketing and publicity. Twenty-one local and other New York wine, beer, meat and produce vendors set up at the arena.

There was also strong attendance for the accompanying show by 12 artisans at the city-owned Dobisky Center on Riverside Avenue in the Greenbelt.

But the weekend's high temperatures and thick humidity took its toll inside the Lockwood building, which has no central air conditioning and got by with a dehumidifier and one of two working fans.

Mrs. Porter said many of the vendors came back on Sunday with portable fans to keep things cool at their tables. Several also complained about the heat in the chamber's festival exit questionnaire.

City Manager Arthur J. Sciorra said Wednesday that the weather created "unusual circumstances" and "the hottest and most humid weather that people can remember."

A solution is unclear. Mrs. Porter said the New York State Armory on Ford Street and the Edgar A. Newell II Dome at Ogdensburg Free Academy have been mentioned as alternative sites.

But neither guarantees cooler conditions on a hot day and the armory requires an $1,800 fee.

The city charges the chamber nothing for use of the two buildings although that may change if the festival becomes increasingly profitable. The city also allocates budget funds to the chamber, this year setting aside $11,250.

It had also been suggested by the artists that the vendors join them in the Greenbelt, setting up in tents. But Mrs. Porter said that setup would pose overnight security problems.

Nevertheless, both parties realize they are bound to promote the city by promoting the arena.

"We really want to stay in the arena," Mrs. Porter said.