The SPAR special permit application to conduct a mini festival clearly is marked "NO ADMISSION FEES ARE ALLOWED IN CITY PARKS."
Guess what?
This line was marked out on the approved application for the CRAWFEST 2023.
This application estimates attendance to be 10,000 with a maximum peak attendance of 2500.
The attendance fee is $7 in advance, $10 on the day of the event or $15 for a three day pass.
The SPAR event coordinator signed off on the permit along with the SPAR Event Task Force chair.
This is a MAJOR change in policy.
Was this change approved by any higher ups?
Adrian Perkins is no longer mayor. And of his best buds event coordinator Matt Snyder should not get any special favors from the new mayor and his administration.
This application has set a bad precedent for future use of Shreveport parks.
Is this what Shreveport citizens expected when they voted for the new council members and the new mayor?
Is the Arceneaux administration going to address this issue, like in soon?
When did the City of Shreveport begin to subsidize private FOR PROFIT groups by allowing FREE use of a public park for 3 days?
Can other FOR PROFIT groups now request the use of Riverview Hall, Riverview Theatre, Municipal Auditorium and/or the Convention Center for FREE?
How about Expo Hall once the renovation into a sports venue in completed this summer?
Unlike many other pressing issues that Mayor Arceneaux inherited, this event was approved under his watch in Jan.
Maybe Mayor Tom and interim Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark should send the word to department heads that there IS a new sheriff in town and that major policy changes should be coordinated with the new team on the second floor of Government Plaza.
Many citizens upset about the entrance fee are talking about crashing the party by entering the CRAWFEST area and refusing to pay.
Since this is a public park, is it a crime to enter ANY part of the park without paying an admission fee?
Is Snyder going to ask the off duty law enforcement officers to arrest any so-called event trespassers?
CRAWFEST 2023 is quickly becoming a CRAW MESS for the city and Snyder, and rightfully so.
