The city of Solana Beach and the 22nd District Agricultural Association have reached a settlement agreement marking a significant step forward in the return of KAABOO music festival to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, according to a joint announcement Tuesday.
The agreement reflects a commitment to address the community’s concerns regarding public safety, noise levels and logistical challenges such as traffic, parking and litter management during the upcoming event, fair officials said.
KAABOO’s return is orchestrated by an independent promoter who has secured the fairgrounds for a multi-day run in September. The district, owner and operator of the venue, has negotiated with the promoter to address the city’s concerns, embedding terms in the contract to mitigate potential issues.
Having previously rocked the Del Mar Fairgrounds from 2015 to 2019, KAABOO’s potential return has elicited anticipation among residents and officials alike. Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner expressed enthusiasm for the event’s comeback, emphasizing the importance of balancing enjoyment with safety measures.
“We are excited that KAABOO is exploring coming back to the fairgrounds to provide another high-quality entertainment option for our community, while managing impacts that are associated with a musical festival of this caliber,” Heebner said.
“We always strive to be good neighbors to our surrounding communities as we host and produce events for San Diego County residents and visitors every year,” the district’s CEO Carlene Moore said. “We are thrilled to have reached a swift resolution and we look forward to continuing to work closely with FLAAC and with the city to do our part to ensure that KAABOO’s homecoming is a fun, memorable and exciting experience.”
Following the lawsuit’s settlement, KAABOO will be able to proceed as scheduled in September. While specifics regarding the lineup remain undisclosed, the public can register on the festival’s website to receive email notifications about the event.