New Civic Events Manager, Sidney Walker, Wants More Events In City

“I’m very excited to be the Civic Events Manager for the City of San Angelo,” said Sid Walker Thursday afternoon after a Civic Events Advisory Board (CEAB) meeting. “I’m hoping we will be able to bring more events into the city. I think in the past few years we haven’t been using our facilities as much as we should,” he said referring to the Foster Communications Coliseum, The Riverstage, and the McNease Convention Center. “I would like to see that change, and that’s something that’s really number one on my agenda.”

During the meeting on Thursday, Walker told the CEAB that there are promoters that are interested in having their annual events in San Angelo. But, because of the lack of adequate sound and lighting equipment at the venues, promoters are detoured by the extra expenses of bringing in their own equipment. If the city were to purchase their own upgraded equipment, the venues would in theory attract more events. Hosting events on an annual basis creates a positive impact on not only the local economy, but create more activities for the community to enjoy.

Walker has received calls from the public asking about the return of Blaine’s Picnic, and while nothing is in the works for it yet, Walker said he would like to see music festivals like Blaine’s Picnic taking place in San Angelo throughout the year.

“There was a gentleman that was interested in doing a Texas Country Music Festival as well,” Walker said. “This is a brand new promoter that would like to do the event. It’s actually still in the works right now we don’t know when he’s going to be able to put that together [at the moment].”

Not only does Walker have past experience as a promoter, outside of his new job as Civic Events Manager he owns The Beauregard, a venue for special occassions located at 1421 W. Beauregard.