City outlines Seafood Festival plans, sets limited golf‑cart crossing windows and parking strategy

Council and staff reviewed final plans for the Hooked on the Bayou Seafood Festival, including vendor staging, music scheduling, golf‑cart crossings on US‑19 and parking logistics.

Event committee staff said nearly 80 vendors will be located on the waterfront hill and the event will feature multiple bands under a large tent. To reduce conflict and improve safety, police and staff proposed specific staffed windows when golf carts may cross US‑19: initial crossing window proposed to start earlier at 3:30 p.m. to allow a one‑hour staging period, an evening crossing at 6:00–6:30 p.m., and a final 9:00–9:30 p.m. window to clear attendees. Police emphasized that crossing outside approved intersections remains constrained by DOT/state statute and that crossings outside staffed windows would be at motorists' risk.

"We are working with our police in the event that we are going to allow crossings from 4 to 4:30, from 6 to 6:30, from 9 to 9:30 — it'll be staffed there with police," staff said. Council members asked staff to confirm whether an expanded front window (3:30–4:30 p.m.) was possible; staff agreed to ask the event lead to confirm and to post final crossing times publicly.

On parking, staff identified several overflow and partner lots (Cancun Beach lot, the Burke property used last year, Castro’s lot and parking next to the Pirate Bar) and recommended clear signage and remote attendants to direct cars. Staff will produce a public parking map once private lots confirm availability. Officials also discussed handicapped vendor parking, vehicle/truck staging and ensuring emergency access lanes remained clear.

Staff said they will publish crossing times and the parking map on the city website and social channels ahead of the event; police will staff the crossings during the approved windows and analyze whether additional enforcement is needed during late‑night hours.