Security Will Be Tight at Plains Park This Year for Family Festival Fireworks

Security will be greatly increased at this year's Danvers Family Festival in light of heightened awareness of possible threats in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Selectman Gardner Trask, who is a board member for the festival, released a statement at Tuesday's selectmen meeting that outlines the changes festival-goers should expect July 3 when they head to Plains Park for the fireworks display.

"There are realities we need to deal with today and we’ve taken reasonable steps to make sure those...are addressed," he said and confirmed to reporters later that the heightened measures were a result of the Boston bombing.

He said that, really, there has been a heightened awareness and sensitivity to the possibility of terrorist attacks in public venues ever since 9/11.

Festival-goers July 3 will be faced with a fence erected around the perimeter of the park and no public access will be allowed before 4 p.m. that day.

That means no blankets, chairs or bags can be left to reserve a spot before the crowds arrive. Similarly, no one else will be allowed into the park once the lights are turned off at 9:30 p.m. for the fireworks.

Beginning at 4 p.m., there will be controlled access points to the park and everyone who comes in will be screened by law enforcement agents. No backpacks, bags, baskets or coolers will be allowed inside, except for diaper bags and purses.

Bicycles, skateboards and pets are also not allowed, except for service dogs. Any food or drinks people bring with them must be placed in clear plastic bags.

Trask said all other personal items carried in will be screened and tagged, similar to the procedure at Fenway Park, and no items will be held at the gate.

The officers providing security will direct anyone carrying items that are not allowed to return them back to their cars. Parking will also be regulated in the immediate area of the park.

Trask said the festival has decided to forgo one of its main fundraising sources the day of -- toll boths -- for the sake of increased safety and security. The stage show will also have a delayed start of 6 p.m.

Other than that, the festival will go ahead as planned. None of the 29 events, which occur between June 15 and July 5, have been canceled.

Trask said festival organizers, town officials and the police and fire departments worked together to draft the new plan, in step with security guidelines now recommended by the Homeland Security Department for large events in public venues.

He said that all security will be provided by police, the sheriff's department and other law enforcement agencies, as opposed to hiring a private firm. There will just be more officers than in years past.

He said the festival has some surplus funds from last year to absorb that cost and will likewise absorb the cost of installing the security fence.

"I’m really glad to see we’re on top of that. I’m sure the people of Danvers will be happy too," said Selectman Dianne Langlais. "I don’t know why they’re even letting anything in, even a purse. Whatever they decide, we should support."

Selectman Dan Bennett was not quite as enthusiastic at the restrictions, of which he noted there were a lot and might discourage some families from attending July 3.

Selectman William Clark noted he and his wife would be two of those bicyclists heading down to see the fireworks. He said they'd often be stuck in traffic for an hour-and-a-half trying to go home by car, so they decided to bike the three miles to the park and were able to cross town much quicker.

"Bill, you can park in my yard and we can walk over together," quipped Selectman David Mills, who lives across from Town Hall.

As for the plan, Mills said: "This seems extremely well thought out. It sounds very reassuring."

Trask explained that bicycles can be parked at the middle school or other adjacent spots, just not in the park itself.

He said the festival staff will use various means to notify residents of the impending changes, which are still under review and subject to change further.

"This was a very thoughtful decision by the Family Festival committee," he said.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis acknowledged there was obvious concern in light of the Marathon bombing and a desire to put additional measures in place as a precaution.

"We don’t expect anything [to happen], of course, but we want to take precautions," he said.

Any questions the public might have on the changes should directed to Trask at 978-821-6624 and specific safety-related questions should be directed to Police Sgt. Robert Bettencourt at 978-774-1213 ext. 134.