One of Langley’s biggest festivals might be moving to a new location.

Pending approval by South Whidbey Park and Recreation District commissioners, the 41st annual Choochokam Music and Arts Festival this summer will be held at Community Park on Maxwelton Road. An official action to determine whether the location change is finalized will be made at the district’s regular monthly meeting April 20. The potential relocation was prompted by event organizers Gwen Jones and Celia Black, Parks Director Doug Coutts said.

“This is something that could continue to be a good asset to the community wherever it is,” Coutts said.

Langley Mayor Tim Callison broke the news during the city council’s regular monthly meeting April 4. Councilman Bruce Allen sounded off in approval at the meeting, while Parks Commissioner Mark Helpenstell later expressed optimism about the change.

“From a parks perspective, I’m not opposed at all,” Helpenstell said during a phone interview with The Record Tuesday morning. “The park sits here for the community to use and if this is an active use, I’m all for it.”

Allen, who was previously opposed to moving the festival out of the city, said among the positives are room for the festival to grow in size, reduction in costs for renting equipment and increased parking space. While the city has size constraints, Community Park has ample room to accommodate a large array of attendees.

“That’s why I’m for it,” Allen said. “I want to give it a shot.”

It also includes electricity, restrooms and other amenities that will make the event more feasible.

Allen noted that less traffic through Langley’s downtown may come as a result. To combat that, Allen said a shuttle may be utilized to ferry attendees back and forth between the city and park. But while the relocation may appear to be a hit for city businesses, Allen spoke to the contrary. Over the past few years, Allen learned that merchants haven’t seen a big increase in sales because of the festival. They also told him that noise from the event had become an issue.

“There’s been an increasing number of people that have really not liked to have it there,” Allen said.

Noise would not be an issue at Community Park, as the district often holds concerts during the summer. Coutts said that the details of how the park would accommodate the festival, such as where music would be played and where vendors would set up shop, are still being worked out and that they will have a plan by the district’s April 20 meeting. They are also trying ensure other activities in the park are not displaced as a result of the relocation.

Callison is aware that the change may be received with mixed emotions. He said he would be sorry to see an event that was held traditionally in Langley move, but added that if the organizers have a grander vision for the festival and its growth, it may have outgrown Langley.

Celia Black, president of the board of directors of the Choochokam Arts Foundation, released a statement on the potential move that echoed Callison’s sentiments.

“In an effort to grow the Choochokam Arts Festival beyond the scope of what is possible in downtown Langley, we are looking at alternative locations for the event that will allow for growth while still benefitting the community. As of today we are in talks with a potential location and will be happy to let you know when and if a move to another Langley location is confirmed.”