Lafayette board approves Star City Nights street closure, backyard barbecue and other event permits

The Lafayette Board of Works on Sept. 9 approved multiple special-event requests, including a street closure for Star City Nights on Friday, Sept. 26, organizers said. Nolan Wilhite, president of the Downtown Lafayette Business Owners Association, asked the board to close a portion of Main Street for Star City Nights, which he said will bring “5 to 8,000 people downtown to enjoy local businesses, food vendors, artists, and a lot of amazing music, including a national touring artist.” He said organizers are coordinating with Lafayette Police Department and Lafayette Fire Department to ensure safety. Natalie McKinney of Family Resources requested closure of Fountain Street for the Bowers Backyard Barbecue from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; the board approved that request as well. Separately, the board approved a Big 4 Depot Community Room rental for a private birthday party on Nov. 15 (8 a.m.–10 p.m.) and a banner request for Wolf Park from Nov. 11–25. All motions were approved on voice votes at the meeting. The approvals carry standard conditions of coordination with city public-safety departments; applicants were instructed to continue working with LPD and LFD on final traffic and safety plans.