There will be extra picnic tables but no bleachers at this year’s Italian-American Festival in Market Square. Organizers requested three bleachers for bocce spectators, and the Canton Park Commission took no action at a May 30 meeting — effectively denying the request. Park board member Sam Sliman made a motion to approve the bleachers, but neither member Michael Hanke or Andrew Black seconded the motion.

It’s not the first time board members debated the merits of providing park bleachers for events. The commission has requested a change in arrangements for next year’s Grand Parade and created a picnic table and bleacher policy earlier this year in response to more requests. “We’re trying to keep them more stationary because they’re just not as easy to move, and they’re not really intended to be mobile,” said Derek Gordon, parks and recreation director. “There are mobile bleachers, but that’s not what ours are for.”