Commission approves PrideFest closure on Harrison Avenue amid business coordination concerns

The City Commission approved a special event permit for the Northwest Florida PrideFest Art Market and Block Party scheduled for June 6 after staff outlined the proposed street closures, site plan, special event fees ($745), and police service costs (estimated $1,914.66). The permit will close portions of Harrison Avenue and 4th Street; staff recommended shifting the farmers market footprint so both events can operate simultaneously.

Commissioners raised concerns about the effects of repeated Harrison Avenue closures on downtown merchants and asked for clearer policies about which events should close the street and how frequently. One commissioner recommended a risk assessment given last year’s unlisted activities at a permit for the same organizer; the chief of police, Mark Smith, said the department had estimated required officers and would call in additional officers or mutual aid if actual attendance exceeded expectations. "If any of the events become too large, then we would have to call in more officers," Smith said.

Commissioner Granger recorded the sole no vote; the permit passed 4–1. The commission asked staff to finalize coordination steps, to shift the festival footprint to avoid the farmers market’s core area, and to continue work on a special events handbook to standardize permit requirements and risk assessments before future events.

The permit requires organizers to pay the listed fees and security deposit and to meet police staffing levels recommended by the chief.