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McCall officials back perimeter fencing, paid security and sponsorships for Lakeside Liberty Fest
Summary
City staff proposed perimeter fencing, a paid security team and renewed targeted marketing to reduce disorder at the Lakeside Liberty Fest; council members signaled general support and asked that any security contract and sponsorship funding be brought back for public review.
Chief Dels Palmer of the McCall Police Department presented a plan to manage the 2026 Lakeside Liberty Fest that centers on perimeter fencing, a professional security team and targeted marketing funded by sponsors.
Palmer told the council the city and its county and state partners adopted several measures after 2016 — including alcohol restrictions and focused marketing — that reduced disorder for several years, but said incidents have increased since 2023, particularly among minors. "This is more of an approach that we know we have this beautiful setting right here in McCall," Palmer said, "and whether we plan accordingly or not, these people are gonna arrive in our town." He described recent fights that blocked roadways and delayed ambulance access as unacceptable and said the proposed measures aim to prevent similar outcomes.
Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the measures as efforts to preserve a family-friendly event while protecting public safety and emergency access. Officials said the city cannot…
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