When it comes to Monday night music series, I would like to make some suggestions. 

First, stop actively promoting and advertising free shows. Allow it to be an “in the know” event. It’s one thing to list information on the town’s website. It’s another to run ads in this newspaper. 

I feel this could help regulate demand to the community members the series is primarily intended for. Certainly visitors are welcome to attend, but there is no need to actively encourage them. With the projected increase in paid shows, it seems Dillon could safely forgo any potential drop in visitor spending on one evening a week. “Turning off the faucet” alone could go a long way toward mitigating the problem.

Second, provide a drop off and pick up zone there at the amphitheater. Combine that with an electric scooter program so that drivers who go park off site can get back to the amphitheater easily. Perhaps money saved on advertising could be redirected to a scooter program?

Third, increase parking supply. This could be as simple as allowing parking on town playing fields or other soft surface areas on Monday nights only. Perhaps work together with the U.S. Postal Service to designate a portion of that lot for amphitheater parking. Problems arose when the loading dock was blocked and access to the front door was inhibited. 

No need cross off the whole lot based on these two problems. I believe a cooperative approach here is easily within reach.

How about facilitating local businesses to sponsor some parking spaces in their “after hours” lots? Offer free promotional signage at the amphitheater as compensation. Again, allow the awareness of these parking opportunities to spread organically. There is no need for advertising, or an app, or other technological tool.