The Wythogan Park Performance Stage will soon be available for rent. The Knox City Council approved a resolution Tuesday setting rental fees, along with some rules.
Mayor Dennis Estok says rental will cost $50 an hour for up to four hours, or $350 for an entire day. “We’re not going to break it down in categories, whether you have a wedding ceremony on there, well that’s $20 or this is $50,” he said. “You know, just do it by the hour.”
While the resolution does not explicitly offer a discount for nonprofit groups, it does give the mayor the option to waive some or all of the fee, on a case-by-case basis. Estok feels the rental fee is a good value for residents. “To tell you the truth, if I was going to get married, I think for $350, I’d go right down there. I’d rent that performance stage,” he said. “I’d have my reception down there. I’d get married. I’d have my DJ then. I think you can have a pretty good time.”
Additionally, the resolution prohibits some items from the performance stage, including grills, fireworks, smokers, and fire pits. Tables are only allowed with the park board’s permission.
Estok says he’s already gotten some requests to rent the stage. Meanwhile, it continues to be used for city-sponsored events. Fort Wayne country music band Mason-Dixon Line will perform there this Saturday night from 6 until 10. “Ghostbusters” will be shown there Wednesday, July 19 at 8:30 p.m., as part of the Movies in the Park series. It was rescheduled from Wednesday, July 12 due to weather.
