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Airport to be used as site for annual Spring Scream fest

Hengchun Airport has been chosen as one of the sites for next month's Spring Scream music festival, the Pingtung County Government has announced.

The festival has been held in Kenting (墾丁) since 1995. While the Kenting National Park Administration will still allow some concerts to be held in the parking lots of Maobitou (貓鼻頭) Park, Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻) Park and the Jialeshuei (佳樂水) Scenic Area, this year some of the concerts will also be held at the airport, a 10-minute to 15-minute drive from Kenting.

The festival begins on March 28 and will last for nine days, spanning two weekends. Three concerts will be held at the airport each weekend.

To help host the event, the Pingtung County Government has signed a nine-year contract with the Civil Aeronautics Administration that allows the organizers to use a 10-hectare piece of land owned by the airport, which is not part of the aviation control zone.

The move marks the first time a domestic airport has been used as a venue for an outdoor music event.

Syu Fen-chun (徐芬春), director of the county's Cultural Affairs Bureau, told the Taipei Times that the festival used to be held on a piece of property that was registered as "farm land," but using such land to stage a music event contravened the registered land use.

"We have been seeking a proper venue since last year but we could not find a better place than Hengchun Airport," Syu said

Syu said that holding a music event at the airport has several advantages. The airport is located on Provincial Highway 26 and is easily accessible. It is also far from residential areas so the music will not disturb people, she said.

The county government will review applications today from those interested in hosting concerts during the festival. Those who are chosen -- and do not violate any government regulations -- will have priority use of the land for the next six months.

Organizers must pay rent to the county government for using the land. They must also pay for other expenses, such as preparing the land for the festival, she said.

Syu estimated that some 150,000 revelers will visit the area on each weekend of the festival.

Wen Ching (文錦), director of the CAA's airport operation and management unit, said that the festival will not affect flight safety.
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