San Francisco Officials Deny Permit For Summer Of Love 50th Anniversary Concert

Late last month, a press release went out trumpeting a free concert to be held on June 4 at the Polo Fields on Golden Gate Park in San Francisco celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer Of Love. It appears the announcement went out too soon as the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department has denied a organizers a permit.

SFGate reports event promoter Boots Hughston received a rejection letter earlier this week. Diane Rea, who manages permits and reservations for San Francisco’s Rec and Park, said in the letter that Boots didn’t provide enough information about just how the crowds would be handled. SFGate mentions Rea was concerned that the promoter told her department the audience for the free show would number between 30 and 40K, while Hughston mentioned a number of 80K to 175K online. “You have made numerous representations about your preparedness for this event which have turned out to be untrue, and if left unchecked, could put the public at risk,” Rea wrote.

Hughston talked to SFGate via phone yesterday and said he had answers for all of the department’s concerns and had told Rec & Parks officials as much, but they ignored his responses. “This is character assassination on me all the way down the line,” Boots told SFGate. “I’ve been doing shows for 40 years, and they’re acting like I’ve never done anything.” The promoter plans to appeal Rec & Parks decision to deny the permit. Head to SFGate for more on the situation.