The sounds of bluegrass will be livening up the town in March since most of the Pahrump Town Board approved funding up to $2,500 of the first annual Blue Grass Festival using state room tax funds.

The festival, put on by local magazine publisher Dan Schinhofen, enjoyed the full support of the tourism advisory board.

Town board Vice Chairman John McDonald, however, voted against the grant, citing concerns about the town funding private, for-profit events.

"We normally don't fund private events," Paula Glidden, chairman of the tourism board explained. "But this is an event that can really bring a hard economic dollar into the town; this is an event that can be expanded over the years. Technically its seed money."

She pointed out that if the event was as successful as the board thought it would be, it might be able to fund itself next year.

In addition, Glidden added that originally $5,000 was requested, but the advisory board opted for taking a more conservative -- but still supportive -- approach.

It wasn't, however, conservative enough for the vice chairman.

"I have a problem with that because I'm afraid it's setting a precedent where people who have a little business that they want to get going will start coming to the town board for financial support, and I have a problem with that," McDonald said.

Glidden responded by explaining that not all the projects or events that come before the tourism advisory board are approved to go on to the town board.

"Being the tourism board, we felt that it was time to be pro-active," Glidden said. "Pahrump's on the cusp of a lot of new things here and we felt this event was one of those that have a big following ... People travel all over the country for these things. This is an event that could double, triple, quadruple in size very quickly."

"If it's going to be so well-attended, why do you need to advertise?" McDonald asked.

"We're trying to look at a broader picture," Glidden answered.

"The purpose of the tourism advisory board is to sponsor events that will bring tourists into the town," Chairman Laurayne Murray pointed out. "Your objective is to spend money outside of community promoting and advertising these events with the intent that the dollar will bring back multiple dollars of people filling beds and spending money in the community."

Finance Director Michael Sullivan pointed out that Schinhofen was also adding an in-kind exchange of advertising space in his magazine for the tourism board's use.

Nonetheless, McDonald maintained approving the move would set "a galloping precedent," adding he wouldn't have a problem with it if it was for a non-profit event.

Board member Dan Sprouse echoed McDonald's concerns but conceded events could be looked at in the future and decisions made on a rate-of-return basis.

Don Rust didn't see any reason for all the discussion.

"This board and other boards in the past have in fact supported for-profit events," Rust said. "This is simply a new event. This is not a precedent, and we have to review everything that's requested, period. And we do."

Bob Irving, of the Fall Festival Committee, told the board bluegrass festivals "grow every year" and it would be a cultural experience for the town's youth.

Rodney Comacho voiced the event's support on behalf of the Pahrump Arts Council.

Patricia Cox, former county commissioner, told the board about a personal bluegrass event hosted by a neighbor that draws nearly 100 people -- "and that's just in her house," Cox said.

Ultimately, the funding was approved with McDonald opposed.