Festival organizer apologizes for Hells Angels merch booth mistake, problem, music, 2011

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Festival organizer apologizes for Hells Angels merch booth
Jesse Johnston Aug 08, 2011 17:53:19 PM
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NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) - It had ponies, music... and the Hells Angels.

Now the organizer for the 12th Street Festival in New Westminster is apologizing for letting the bikers set up a booth at the event.

John Ashdown says it was a mistake.

"I saw no problem with that at one point, then I realized that this is New Westminster not Coquitlam, and that I accepted their application and lived to regret it, simple as that."

Ashdown, who is President of the city's West End Business Association, issued an apology in a local newspaper on Monday.

"The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) applied for a spot to display their swag, which seemed popular at this show," it reads. "Accepting this application was an error in judgment on my part. I apologize to the many sponsors, participants, residents and the setup volunteers who worked so hard the day of the event."

The 12th Street Festival was held on Aug. 1, and consisted of "food, music, heritage and the cultural diversity of 12th Street."