Montcalm County public comments focus on Flat River Pride at McCarthy Park; commissioners take no immediate action

Montcalm County commissioners heard more than an hour of public comment on June 9 about an upcoming Flat River Pride event at McCarthy Park and took no formal action to cancel the park rental.

Organizers and supporters described logistics, safety planning and public-health benefits; opponents raised concerns about crowd size, parking, restrooms and an older county park ordinance that several speakers said has not been enforced consistently.

"This is not a private event. It's open to the public, welcoming everyone to celebrate inclusion," said Nathaniel Powell, a lifelong Montcalm County resident and speaker for event organizers. Organizers described a one-day festival with vendors, music and performances and said they had paid required fees and completed safety planning.

Voices of Flat River Pride officials told commissioners they had rented all three pavilions at McCarthy Park, rented six portable restrooms and arranged on-site medical support and volunteers. "Our estimate shows that up to a 170 cars can park along the main drive and into the designated parking areas," said Keegan Davis, who is…