It’s almost here--two weeks from this Thursday the Humor & Harmony Festival kicks off.
After a presentation by SPAR Director Shelley Ragle at the Shreveport City Council work session yesterday, many questions are being asked by concerned citizens.
The festival will be conducted at many locations:
1. Municipal Auditorium --Comedy Show—Thursday, August 8 (one show)
2. Municipal Auditorium --Concerts –Saturday, August 10 (two concerts)
3. Stage Works/Expo Hall--Celebrity Basketball game—Friday, August 9
4. Red River District--Pop Up Restaurants—Thursday, August 8 through Sunday, August 11
5. Shreveport Convention Center--Car Show—Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11
6. Festival Plaza--50 Fit—Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11
Additionally, there will be events at The Dome to be installed at the city block owned by G-Unit. Ragle announced that Commerce Street will be a gun-free zone, with metal detectors installed.
Additionally, shuttles will be operating from The Boardwalk and Mall St. Vincent.
Here are some questions that should be answered at the City Council meeting today:
1. Can Commerce Street be closed WITHOUT council approval?
2. Can a gun-free zone be implemented on Commerce Street WITHOUT council approval?
3. Is a gun-free zone legal on a public street under current Louisiana law?
4. Is G-Unit paying "market" rental rates for the structures owned by the City--Municipal Auditorium, Convention Center, Stage Works/Expo all, and Festival Plaza?
5. Is G-Unit paying for the shuttle bus service?
6. Is G-Unit paying for the SPAR cleanup of the Red River District?
7. Is G-Unit paying for all the security services provided by SPD officers during the festival?
8. Who will ensure that all pop-up restaurants and their staff are properly permitted for food and alcohol, and will G-Unit pay these costs?
9. Who will ensure that sales tax are paid by pop-up restaurants during the festival?
10. Will G-Unit pay for all cleanup--Commerce Street, Red River District, Festival Plaza?
Everyone wants the Humor & Harmony Festival to be successful. The only question being whether the City of Shreveport will subsidize the planned events.