What reason do the powers-that-be give for this move? Aren't the local merchants up in arms? If not, why? Is the festival in financial trouble? Are the attendees trashing the town or just politely dropping money into the economy? Is there a Security problem? Are the festival producers going through burn-out and can't find replacements or help? Is the town being over-run each year?
To every problem a festival faces, there's an answer or a compromise solution. The thing is, it may take more committment than raising your voices in protest. There's a lot of muck work to putting on a festival. A lot. Some may need to step forward and actually do some of it.
'Course, it's a lot of fun to succeed, too...
Sarah