Advertisement After 16 years, X-Fest Modesto moves to Stockton Security concerns force concert's move Share Shares Copy Link Copy

After 16 years, the Exclamation Fest in Modesto will move to Stockton."I’m really disappointed. I wanted to keep it in Modesto -- that was the goal that I had,” concert promoter Chris Ricci said. “Modesto is my hometown. I really wanted it to stay in Modesto.”Each year, X-Fest transformed downtown Modesto into an outdoor music festival with thousands flocking from across Northern California to attend. That created safety concerns as well as complaints from several businesses that were forced to close their doors because street closures cut off their customers.“Our primary goal is to ensure a safe environment for any event held in Modesto,” the city said in a statement.This year, instead of relying on local law enforcement, the city asked the concert to pay for private security.“City staff met with the event promoter multiple times, working to create a safety and security plan that would account for a reduction in the number of officers, sheriff’s deputies and other public safety personnel available to work the event,” the statement continued. “The city asked the promoter to be accountable for the security of this private, for-profit event without putting additional stress on thin city resources.”Ricci said the added security measures would add $20,000 to $40,000 in costs, making it impossible to keep ticket prices at the traditional $20 since X-fest began in 2000."We are a Valley company and we understand the people that live here in the Valley,” Ricci said. “We were not going to increase our ticket prices in 2016, so people could not go to our event.”As negotiations continued to hit a dead-end and the Aug. 22 concert inched closer, the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds opened its doors."For now, we are really excited to move to the Brick City," Ricci said.The fairgrounds are riding a resurgence in revenue after being financially strained the past couple years."We were in the red and we operate independently," San Joaquin County Fairgrounds Director Sam Fant said.After putting the county fair on hold for 2014 and 2015 and the Asparagus Festival’s future in jeopardy, Fant said this year has seen an economic upswing."For those that are into the stock market and that kind of stuff, they should buy their stock in the San Joaquin County Fair -- because it truly is on the rise," Fant said.At 255 acres, Fant said the fairgrounds can hold upwards of 50,000 attendees. Ricci said going from downtown streets to the fairgrounds creates the possibility to add a carnival and food trucks.As far as security, the fairgrounds believes the enclosed arena, secured parking, and support from the Stockton Police Department makes it a more suitable choice.However, Ricci is open to one day moving X-Fest back to Modesto.