Anger over proposed move When negotiations failed, the board signed a letter of agreement to move the festival south to new proposed facilities in San Clemente. The debate over whether to move the festival became so acrimonious that artists last month led a recall of the board, ousting four of its five members. The fifth member's term expired this month. An election to replace the board is scheduled later this month. Former board president Sherri Butterfield was forced to resign after being recalled.
Artists are usually more accepting of change.
But she and ousted board treasurer Vern Spitaleri say they would have still made the same decision to move the festival. At its current location, it will never be able to grow. There's no room. The festival and the pageant have become so popular that tickets go on sale six months before the show and performances are typically sold out before the show opens. Artists and city officials say the festival was never meant to expand.