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Council approves Decoy Festival street closure, Star Party and Hymn Sing permits
Summary
Havre de Grace City Council approved three special-event permits March 2: a Star Party April 18, the Havre de Grace Decoy Festival & Marine Exhibition May 2–3 (Congress Avenue closure requested), and a Second Sunday Hymn Sing June–September; the Decoy Festival organizers said they will leave an emergency lane during the closure.
The Havre de Grace City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday evening to approve three special events, including a temporary closure of Congress Avenue for the Havre de Grace Decoy Festival and Marine Exhibition May 2–3, 2026.
Dr. Richie read the event applications into the record: a Star Party for International Dark Sky Week at Conquered Point Park and the Promenade on April 18 (8:30–11:30 p.m.); the Decoy Festival and Marine Exhibition May 2–3 requesting Congress Avenue closure from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and a Second Sunday Hymn Sing on four Sundays (June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, 2026) at Tidings Memorial Park with gazebo use.
Mike Tarquini, president of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, told the council the museum requested closing Congress Avenue to stage a boat show on the street "and put them on Congress Avenue at an angle, leaving emergency services an opportunity to still traverse Congress Avenue in case of an emergency." Tarquini said the festival, in its 44th year, has moved locations in recent years and the organizers hope the street display will increase walk-up attendance.
Council members discussed logistics and public-safety coordination; Tarquini said he had worked with the police chief on suggested measures. Audience members asked whether kayaks would be included and about plant vendors; Tarquini said display space and vendor arrangements will be managed by organizers and that one board member (owner of Holly Hill Farms) typically supplies plants for sale.
All three events were approved on a single consent motion. Council indicated they would rely on the event application conditions (traffic control plans, vendor permits, and police coordination) to manage public safety and emergency access during the street closure.
The approvals carry standard conditions and applicants must follow any permit instructions from city departments. The City Clerk will publish the permits and any required conditions in the record.
