Board retroactively approves Garfield block party, conditionally OKs Christmas Eve march

The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety on Sept. 10 retroactively approved a Garfield Street block party held Sept. 7 and granted conditional approval for a yearly Christmas Eve road march.

The board approved a retroactive permit for the Garfield Street block party, which ran Sept. 7 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and closed Garfield Avenue between Grove and Shippee streets. The event included music, food and up to 15 attendees; the permit holder had been instructed to keep barricades clear for emergency access.

The board also gave conditional approval for the “sergeant first class” Christmas Eve road march, scheduled for Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon and starting and ending at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The law enforcement organizer requested no road closures and the board stated approval was conditional because the group’s certificate of insurance (COI) had not yet been received, though the board noted the event had been approved in prior years.

Both items passed on voice votes. Board members provided no further conditions beyond the standard instruction that barricades remain accessible for emergency services.

Ending: The approvals were made by the board during its regular meeting; staff will record the retroactive permit for the Garfield event and follow up on the Christmas Eve march’s outstanding documentation before finalizing details.