BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- OG Riverfest will move forward in 2020, now that the event is no longer limited by the city’s sound ordinance.

Joe Howe, a partner in Everything 4 Entertainment, said the charter change was the last major hurdle in the way of holding a music festival that would bring a national act to the city.

On Monday the city effectively overturned an earlier disapproval of Everything 4 Entertainment’s permit to use amplifying sound equipment.

When it was denied in May the noise ordinance allowed no sound emanating from sound amplifying equipment that exceeds 15 dBa above the ambient as measured at any property line.

The council then modified the code to elevate the allowable noise level to 105 dBa at any given property line. Council also created a means to override that limit for events such as concerts, parades and the Seaway Festival.

With that law in place, the council Monday gave permission to the city manager to overturn Howe’s permit denial.

Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley offered appreciation to Howe for his diligence in working with the city to make things happen.

Howe said he was pleased the concert could proceed.

In an earlier interview, he said he would begin looking at acts for the concert, which will take place in 2020.

Bands and artists considered for the festival included Bob Seger, Duran Duran, Alanis Morissette or the Doobie Brothers. It’s unclear if that will change now that the concert has been pushed back a year.