The city of Solana Beach has settled a lawsuit it filed against the Del Mar Fairgrounds over concerns about the environmental effects of the KAABOO music festival, which is expected to return to the fairgrounds later this year.
The city filed a lawsuit about a month ago in San Diego County Superior Court alleging that KAABOO would not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. In court documents, the city’s lawyers said the festival “would result in a variety of significant negative environmental impacts on the surrounding area, including, but not limited to, increased air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, traffic, off-site parking, demand.” for public services and threats to public safety.
The 22nd District Agricultural Association, which owns the fairgrounds, and the Festival Licensing and Acquisition Corporation (FLAAC), which owns the rights to host KAABOO-branded events, were named as defendants.
The city and fairgrounds announced in a joint statement April 16 that the settlement ensures appropriate levels of public safety and noise management, as well as traffic control, parking and waste reduction.
“We are excited that KAABOO is considering returning to the Fairgrounds to provide another high-quality entertainment option for our community, while managing the impacts associated with a music festival of this caliber,” said Solana Beach Mayor, Lesa Heebner, in a press release. “What we all want is a KAABOO that is both fun and safe! We can’t wait to enjoy the event!
KAABOO debuted at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in 2015 and returned every year until 2019. Then, festival organizers at the time announced they would move the multi-day event to Petco Park in partnership with the Padres. Partly due to the pandemic, KAABOO never took place in the park, leading to a legal battle. Festival-goers are also still waiting for answers on how they will be compensated for tickets they purchased in 2020 for KAABOO dates that never happened.
In 2021, FLAAC acquired the rights to continue KAABOO and, more recently, embarked on a return to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The board of directors that manages the public venue was concerned about the litany of problems the festival encountered over the course of in recent years, and whether they invited legal liability if KAABOO did not proceed as advertised. FLAAC addressed these concerns sufficiently for the board to vote in favor of a contract.
The agreement provides $250,000, or 3 percent of net revenue from ticket sales for the Del Mar Fairgrounds, whichever is greater, as well as 40 percent of parking revenue and $5 per ticket. dealership sold. It also offers four one-year renewal options for the fairgrounds.
Dates, musical acts and other information for this year’s KAABOO are to be announced.
“We always strive to be good neighbors to our surrounding communities as we host and produce events for San Diego County residents and visitors each year,” said Carlene Moore, CEO of Del Mar Fairgrounds, in a communicated. “We are pleased to have reached a speedy resolution and look forward to continuing to work closely with FLAAC and the City to do our part to ensure KAABOO’s return is a fun, memorable and exciting experience.”
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