CRIME, POLICE + COURTS
Tooele Co. Health Department orders country concert closed, hearing set for Friday
May 28, 2020, 11:49 AM | Updated: Dec 30, 2022, 11:25 am
The Amphitheater at Studio Ranch near Grantsville. Utah Business Revival is planning a controversial outdoor concert to be moved there from Kaysville. (PHOTO: Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
(PHOTO: Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
GRANTSVILLE, Utah — The latest chapter in a strange country concert controversy is still unfolding. With just days before a proposed outdoor show, with the capabilities of bringing 100,000 people into one space, so much remains up in the air.
The concert must go on
At this time, “Utah Business Revival” is still planning for a Collin Raye outdoor concert to take place. They’re planning to move it from Kaysville to the Amphitheater at Studio Ranch near Grantsville.
The move to Tooele County is only necessary because of the back-and-forth in Kaysville. Initially, Mayor Katie Witt green-lighted the show, until residents and the city council pushed back. Many claimed the community’s best interests were not being considered.
Now, the Tooele County Health Department, among other local agencies, are also pushing back. On Wednesday, the health department issued an official notice of closure to the amphitheater owner. The department says the planned concert violates the yellow guidelines issued by Goveror Gary Herbert.
If the owner, Jason Manning, decides to hold the concert anyway he could face criminal charges under Utah law, according to a press release.
“(The order) was expected,” explains Manning. “I guess they don’t respect the Constitution.”
Freedom ‘on the line’
Eric Moutsos, founder of the Utah Business Revival and concert orgnizer, took to Facebook Wednesday evening to share his thoughts. In short… they aren’t blinking.
“We are still a go for May 30th from 5-10 p.m. at Amphitheater at Studio Ranch,” he says. “See you there.”
For him, and others organizing the show, this is much more than just a country music concert. It’s an expression of personal rights.
“We’re really excited about it,” he explains. “We believe this is kind of a tipping point in America right now and that our freedoms really are on the line.”
A 3rd district judge will hold a hearing tomorrow on the health department’s order.
Both Eric Moutsos and Tooele County Commissioner Shawm Milne joined KSL NewsRadio’s Dave and Dujanovic. You can hear their full conversation below.
