Council clears Danish Festival plans: street closures, park use, noise waiver and ATVs authorized

Summary

Greenville council unanimously approved the Danish Festival's requests for multiple street closures (Aug. 20–23, a range of block-level closures), use of Veterans Park and other lots, dumpster and portable-toilet placements, 30 picnic tables, a waiver of the noise ordinance for Tivoli Gardens on Aug. 21–22, and limited ATV/ORV use by festival personnel.

The Greenville City Council unanimously approved an extensive package of permissions for the 2026 Danish Festival at its April 7 meeting, authorizing street closures, public-space use, temporary infrastructure and a waiver of the city's noise ordinance for portions of the festival.

Councilperson Mangus moved to approve the Danish Festival, Inc.'s request to close specified streets, use public spaces including Veterans Park, place dumpsters and portable toilets in city lots, reserve vendor parking spaces, and designate picnic-table locations downtown and at Veterans Park. The motion, as presented, also authorized temporary closure of the skate park on August 16–17 and the placement of specific handicap parking spaces in Lot #2. Councilperson Johnson seconded, and the motion was adopted unanimously.

The council also approved ordinance relief to waive the noise ordinance on Aug. 21–22 for Tivoli Gardens and authorized ATVs/ORVs to be used by Danish Festival personnel only. The approved street-closure schedule includes multiple dates and specific block ranges (Aug. 20–23 and granular segments on Aug. 21–22) detailed in the meeting record. The motion did not specify permit fees, staffing or enforcement logistics in the minutes.