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City staff outlines parades, new race routes and a proposal to standardize parade routes
Summary
City events staff told council the Martin Luther King and Mardi Gras parades and several races are planned for January–March; the Mardi Gras parade will use a new route on Stewart Street and staff proposed standardizing parade routes into templates for future seasons.
Jay (staff) briefed the council on a set of upcoming special events and road‑closure needs, emphasizing the need to coordinate with the police chief for public safety and logistics.
He said two parades — a Martin Luther King parade (with after‑party) and a Mardi Gras parade — are scheduled in January, noting the Mardi Gras route will mirror the Christmas parade and stick to Stewart Street. Jay said race organizers are proposing multiple events along the Blackwater Heritage Trail, including 5K and 10K runs and new half‑ and full‑marathon options that would run toward NAS Whiting Field and back.
Council discussed operational issues including restroom access, potential City Hall rental fees for event toilet trailers, and increased staffing or security needs if events use city facilities. A council member said staff will return in March with a proposal to standardize parade routes into A/B/C templates to reduce repeated conflicts in the historic district and across Highway 90.
Jay said staff would work with the city manager and police to finalize road‑closure permits and logistics and will coordinate cost and staffing impacts with council prior to final approvals.
What’s next: Council consented to move routine special‑event permits to the consent agenda for future meetings unless specific issues require separate review.
