Council approves three large-event permits: church fundraisers and an annual pilgrimage

The council approved three large-gathering permits for church fundraisers and a long-distance pilgrimage.

Sheila, representing the planning and building department, presented permit details for Saint Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral's fundraiser (expected 300'500 attendees per day, portable water, toilets and security by Strong Protection LLC) and for Saint Savas Fest (approximately 1,000 attendees per day, 900 parking spaces, off-duty Maryville Police security and waste collection by Homewood Waste Disposal). "A total of 575 parking spaces will be available for attendees," the planner said for one event and for the larger festival staff noted arrangements for sanitation and licensed vendors.

The planning staff also described a pilgrimage scheduled for Aug. 9 that begins in Chicago and concludes with a mass; staff estimated a maximum of about 4,000 participants, described a plan for 90 portable toilets and additional route sanitation, and said town-provided security will be on site. Directional signs in Polish will be posted along affected blocks.

Councilors asked routine operational questions about police coordination and past incident history; staff confirmed permits, liquor and catering licenses where required and that security arrangements addressed public-safety concerns. Each permit was approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: Approving these permits clears the way for multiple large community events; staff assurances about parking, sanitation and off-duty police presence were central to unanimous approval.