During a recent government meeting, Mike Rocbach, chairman of the Parks Board, voiced strong opposition to a proposal to merge the Bayou Fest, traditionally held in October, with another event scheduled for March. Rocbach, who has been involved with the Bayou Fest since its inception, expressed his concerns about the potential impact on the event's integrity and organization.

Rocbach highlighted that the Bayou Fest is a significant community event, and he believes that moving it would diminish its unique character. He urged the council to reconsider the decision and suggested that the organization of the event be returned to the Parks Board, which originally created it. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that with only 90 days until the event, critical planning steps, such as booking bands, have not yet been completed.

Additionally, Rocbach raised concerns about the logistical challenges that would arise from merging the two events, particularly regarding traffic congestion. He pointed out that the existing traffic issues during crawfish events would be exacerbated by the increased size of a combined festival, regardless of shuttle services that might be implemented.

The discussion underscores the importance of community events and the need for timely planning to ensure their success. The council is now faced with the challenge of balancing organizational capabilities with community expectations as they move forward with event planning.