AUBURN — The question of beer sales could determine whether an outdoor country music festival planned for July lands in Auburn, Lewiston or somewhere else.

Concert promoter Mike Shea said he’s waiting for the word that Auburn is willing to allow beer sales if the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport hosts the show.

“We have eight months to work out the details of the beer ordinance,” Shea said. “If they can book me in now, I can start booking acts.”

Shea is looking at multiple locations to host his late-July or early August concert, but he said he and sponsors L/A Harley and radio station 99.9 The Wolf would prefer Lewiston-Auburn.

He has two Twin Cities sites in mind — a Lewiston High School practice field on the northern edge of Franklin Pasture and a field in the northeastern portion of the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport in Auburn.

Shea said the festival, set for either July 25 and 26 or Aug. 1 and 2, would feature a “Class A” country performer. That would mean someone such as Lady Antebellum or Kenny Chesney. It would be expected to draw between 7,500 and 14,000 people, according to Shea.

Airport Director Rick Lanman confirmed that the concert could use a lot on airport property east of the runways and south of Constellation Drive. It’s a wide-open space that would not interfere with airport operations, he said.

“If the city permits it, we will be glad to host it,” Lanman said. “I think the city permit is going to be the most arduous part. But if they do, we have the space and wherewithal to support a concert.”

Parking and staging would be in a second lot north of Constellation Drive, he said.

“The whole area is already designed for noise, so it should not be a problem or a burden on the community,” he said. “At the same time, it would allow the community to have a great venue and a great time.”

He said it would take a city-wide effort, “especially if we expect a draw of 14,000 people.”

Shea filed an application for a mass-gathering permit with the city of Auburn on Tuesday and it is being reviewed by city departments.

City ordinances do not allow alcohol sales at any outdoor event expected to draw more than 1,000 people. Auburn police Lt. Tim Cougle said it would take City Council action to change those rules.

Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte said he expects to have the permit before city councilors at the Feb. 3 meeting.

“There needs to be clarity to have this kind of event,” LaBonte said. “As you’ve heard, having an adult beverage sponsor and sales are part of how you make the numbers work so these events can be affordable. They need to have that answer sooner rather than later, so we want to make sure they have that answer.”

Shea presented his request to use Lewiston’s Franklin Pasture to city councilors Tuesday night. Councilors said they were concerned about having beer sales on school property and about the impact of 14,000 spectators in the residential area around the school.

Lewiston School Superintendent Bill Webster said he had not received an application or details about the event. It would require School Committee approval, he said.

“This would be a very big endeavor for the city and the schools, given the use of our facilities,” Webster said. “It’s a long way from a done deal.”

staylor@sunjournal.com

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