SeaFair Is Here to Stay

SeaFair, , received approval from the city council Wednesday evening to operate until September 5. The vessel was originally approved for a two-week trial period that expired on Wednesday. Hours of operation were extended from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the art gallery and 8:30 p.m. for the bars and restaurants.  

David Lester, owner and chief executive of SeaFair, said the venue brings approximately 300 people into Newport per day.  He said 200,000 printed inserts and 400,000 emails were sent out to advertise the venue.

Although Lester was granted a license that expired on Wednesday, he told the council he has already pre-sold thousands of tickets for the rest of the summer, and it would be a poor reflection of the city and of SeaFair to have to reach out and cancel if the council did not grant the approval.  

Newport does not have an existing ordinance in place that would regulate a summer-long venue such as the SeaFair, and therefore it must operate under the special event license. Many expressed concern that this presents an unfair competitive advantage, since it does not pay property taxes or fees to the city.

“I don’t mind competition, I’ll take it from any source.  But it’s not a level playing field,” said Burt Dunbar, President of Company.  Dunbar said SeaFair is a direct competitor of Bowen's Wharf. It rents out retail space to dealers, has restaurants and bars,  but does not pay taxes or contribute to city services. Last year Bowen’s Wharf paid $150,000 in taxes and contributed to local charities, Dunbar said.

Mayor Stephen Waluk said he went on-board on the fourth of July at 6:30 p.m.  He counted two and half dozen people on the sky deck, which Lester said was one of the busiest evenings.  On Wednesday evening, Patch went aboard and counted 15 customers at the bar and less than 25 people in the galleries.  

“What is good business for one person is good business for everyone,” said Molly Kelly, of Connecticut, who was aboard SeaFair. Her friend Ray Lynch, a Newport native, agreed.

“It’s a fabulous venue. There is plenty of business to go around. The more the merrier," Lynch said.

Counciler Jeanne-Marie Napolitano urged the council to vote against the approval. She said she does not want to be responsible for “even one local business to go out of business.”

The council passed two approvals for two-week special events license until September 5. Councilors Napolitano and Duncan voted against the motion.