Mount Vernon council presses organizers on traffic, police coverage for Wakanda celebration; Grace Baptist 5K permit pending

The Mount Vernon City Council left two special-event permits on the agenda after members raised concerns about traffic control and police coverage.

Council members discussed an ordinance to authorize the Wakanda Celebration 2025, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30, and a separate ordinance authorizing a special-event permit for Grace Baptist Church’s annual 5K Walk/Run for Education, scheduled for July 19 with a rain date of July 26. Both items were listed as "agenda pending."

Councilwoman Thompson said the Wakanda celebration has in recent years been held on Mount Vernon School District property rather than city streets and expressed concern about traffic control if the event again occurs on city property. Thompson asked whether organizers had confirmed auxiliary (aux) or other police assistance for traffic control; the City Clerk reported no confirmation had been received. The clerk also said police had raised concerns about the stage (the stage was removed) and recommended closing the street during the event in past years.

Council members said organizers reported losing customary sponsors this year and that cost was a reason they had not contracted police coverage. Thompson suggested relocating the celebration to a city park — naming Rush Park (also referenced as Brush Park in the discussion) as a possible alternative because it has multiple baseball fields, parking and on-site restrooms. Thompson said she would contact the event sponsors and organizers and attempt to secure a park location.

Councilman Gleason and others asked staff to obtain the cost for police traffic control. Council President asked that staff reach out to the organizers promptly because July and August have only one scheduled council meeting each and the Aug. 30 date is weeks away. Thompson said she would call organizers the following day and report back to the council.

The Grace Baptist Church permit was also left "agenda pending" while staff checks were completed; the clerk said she would look into outstanding items for that application.

Discussion points remained at the work-session level; no final votes or permit approvals were recorded in the transcript.

Votes and formal motions: none recorded. The two event items remain on the council agenda for future action.

Why it matters: The council flagged public-safety and traffic-management issues for large neighborhood events and asked staff to confirm police coverage or consider relocating an event to an easier-to-manage municipal site.

What’s next: Council members directed staff and Councilwoman Thompson to contact event organizers and sponsors and to report back with confirmed police coverage, cost estimates for traffic control, or an agreed alternate park site prior to the next meeting.