La Marque approves BTR contract for BayFest 2026 after clarifications on safety, vendors and park naming

The La Marque City Council approved a contract with event promoter BTR for BayFest/BayouFest 2026 after extended public comment and negotiations to tighten public-safety and administrative provisions.

Key changes agreed in council chambers: (1) the event contract will include the full legal park name (Max McGaffey Highland Battle Park) in the contract text; (2) BTR will provide the primary vendor list at least 48 hours before the event and deliver a full vendor reconciliation within five days afterward; (3) BTR will contract and directly pay on-site law-enforcement and EMS personnel used at the event and provide additional-insured coverage for contracted staff; (4) city staff retained authority to terminate the contract for public-safety reasons after consultation with the police chief and fire chief (section 21b in the contract as discussed).

Public-safety issues had been the dominant concerns in public comment: multiple residents asked that the mass-gathering safety plan be explicit about law-enforcement staffing levels, ingress/egress, lighting and an on-site triage center. BTR representatives said that they will meet with police and fire to confirm staffing and that they carry event liability coverage (BTR said its policy includes a $2.5 million umbrella for the event and liquor liability) and that all vendors must secure required health and tax permits (SEG 2922SEG 3006; SEG 3469SEG 3471).

Council asked for specific contract language additions: spell out fees for city equipment (ambulance, fire apparatus), explicitly allow city commissions and staff to have a presence without unexpected fundraising obligations, clarify sign-posting windows and sponsorship recognition, and require a city-approved mass-gathering plan. BTR agreed to many of those clarifications and said it would accept an event end date aligned to the event (rather than an extended contract term) if council preferred; council accepted amended language and moved to approve.

Outcome: Council approved the BTR/BayFest contract on a motion after amendments and a brief second; the motion passed on a voice vote. Staff will finalize contract language and make the specified edits before executing.