Applicant seeks Main Street closure for Aug. 2 back‑to‑school giveaway; council approves contingent on porta‑potty pricing

Annette Radford told the Lithonia City Council she is organizing a back-to-school block party and giveaway and requested a street closure on Main Street for Sunday, Aug. 2, a city donation of three porta‑potties and permission for event signage.

"My name is Annette Radford. I am here to, request to be able to do a back to school, block party, with the closure of being on Main Street on August 2," Radford said. She said she is partnering with Innovation Solutions Management (a nonprofit) and local groups including the Chosen Few Motorcycle Club. Radford said the event would include vendors, a bounce house, haircuts and distribution of backpacks and school supplies.

Radford told the council she had about 200 backpacks ready and would use a registration and ticketing process to manage haircuts and giveaways. Council members asked whether vendors would pay city vendor fees and whether security would be provided; Radford said licensed stylists and local volunteers would staff activities and that she would coordinate with the vendor who typically provides haircuts.

Councilwoman Diane Howard moved to approve the back-to-school backpack and supplies giveaway for Aug. 2 "contingent upon us find out more about the cost of the porta potties and how many we may need," and the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote. Council members asked staff to finalize porta‑potty pricing and return with the confirmed number of units before final logistical approvals.

The council’s approval authorized the street closure and event planning to continue subject to the contingency; the city will confirm the porta‑potty cost threshold and method of vendor permitting before the event.