Local leaders hope to bring back Superfest

Bayou Country Superfest director/producer Quint Davis insists such events can’t make it solely on proceeds from concessions and sales of tickets and T-shirts, and says public funds and/or corporate backers will have to be involved if the show is to return to Baton Rouge next year. Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain and Baton Rouge Area Chamber CEO Adam Knapp met with Davis earlier this year at the request of New Orleans developer and civic leader Roger Ogden. “To the extent that we can help him and open doors and introduce him to people and give him counsel, I think both the chamber and we would be happy to do that,” Spain says. The Metro Council in December removed a $300,000 subsidy for the country music festival from Mayor Kip Holden’s budget proposal. Critics object to subsidizing a for-profit festival, and some council members say they at least want some accountability as to how public money would be used. Holden says he hopes to convince the council to reinstate the money for next year’s event, but says he intends to find corporate support if they refuse. “I am really committed to never letting this event leave Baton Rouge,” Holden says. Davis also produces the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and produced the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans from 1995 through 2007. The former relies on corporate sponsors, while the state and local CVB and hotel association underwrite the latter, Davis says. —David Jacobs