Downtown Modesto's annual summer music festival X Fest is bringing hip hop, rock and funk to 20 stages with 150 bands to the area. It is expected to draw 20,000 fans this year.
But first, it must get approval from the city council; however, some downtown merchants are saying it's bad for business and want it moved elsewhere.
Galletto Ristorante's Executive Chef Michael Goularte says he shut down last year after losing at least $7,000 with customers staying away.
"Parking is just crazy because there is 20,000 people downtown so it's not feasible for them to get inside the restaurant," Goularte says.
X Fest promoter Chris Ricci says the event is celebrating its 17th year and moving out of downtown is not an option.
"Well downtown is an integral part of X Fest, so it would be like separating the soul from the body and you can't just move it," Ricci says.
Both sides are gathering petition signatures hoping to bolster their arguments.
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