Port Richey events committee finalizes parking, vendor layout and safety plans for "Boom on the Bayou"

The Port Richey Events Committee on Monday finalized logistics for the June 28 "Boom on the Bayou" fireworks and community event, approving parking maps, a vendor layout and safety measures including roping off a trail as the event boundary.

Committee members discussed multiple parking locations—city-owned lots, a nearby private concrete lot by Bayview Street, Whiskey Joe’s and other private lots—and agreed to mark certain private lots "park at your own risk" pending property-owner approval. The committee also decided to remove planned shuttle parking and instead focus on consolidated on-site parking and golf-cart staging away from the fireworks blast area.

Vice Chairwoman Caroline Gonzalez introduced Scarlet Ferrer, a Nature Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce intern, who will assist with vendor coordination and on-site volunteer support. Pastor Leonard Lord offered volunteer help from his congregation for cleanup and parking tasks, saying, "I just want to thank you. It's a honor to serve the city." The committee also confirmed that Pastor Jerry's men's maintenance crew will perform a targeted cleanup on the Thursday before the event.

Organizers agreed a printed site layout will place food trucks at the south end with at least 10-foot separations to meet fire-code requirements, and that non-food vendors will form a "tunnel" layout to maximize foot traffic. Jennifer Montgomery, a vendor signing up to provide face painting and children’s activities, will be located near the playground where several family-focused vendors will cluster.

Public-safety measures discussed included using the park trail as a hard border (no public access past the trail during fireworks), staging police and fire command centers near the top of the hill, roping and yellow-tape perimeter marking, and placing signage to direct pedestrians and to warn private-lot users that the property owners and city are not responsible for damages. The committee confirmed two large lighting units provided via the sheriff’s office would be used for evening operations.

Volunteer staffing was set: committee members should arrive at 3:30 p.m., parking volunteers at 5:00 p.m., and vendors will be admitted beginning at 3:30 p.m. Members estimated roughly 10 parking attendants across critical lots with designated relief staff because of heat and long shifts. The committee agreed to provide high-visibility vests and basic equipment for volunteers; shirts were not available.

The organizer reported 45 vendor spots with confirmations in progress and backups available. Porta-potties, banners and other last-minute purchases remain to be paid from the event budget. The committee planned final site staking and layout marking during the days leading up to the event.

The committee adjourned after confirming volunteer assignments and final logistics.