The proposed ordinance by councilwoman Tabatha Taylor for the Humor & Harmony Festival is to allow open alcohol consumption in a four block area for four days--drinking on the streets, sidewalks, parking lots and the Red River District. Additionally, the restrictions in the noise ordinance on sound volumes will be waived during these four days.
The Humor & Harmony website only shows one event in that four block area during those days--a three on three basketball event on Friday August 9 in Expo Hall.
Reportedly an inflatable dome will host one/two events on Saturday August 10 on the block recently purchased by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.
Alcohol will be available at the basketball game and any dome events.
Notably, Taylor did NOT say that Jackson had requested the open alcohol zone.
Taylor made a totally false analogy comparing her resolution to ArtWalk. Several years ago, DDA did sponsor a downtown pub crawl that required identity bracelets after proof of age was provided.
Taylor did not provide any other justifications for her proposal.
Valid concerns have been raised concerning the impact of Louisiana's new open carry law in the proposed four block area as well as surrounding areas in the downtown area with large crowds consuming alcohol openly.
Additionally, waiving the noise ordinance restrictions will probably draw many to the area that will bring their own alcohol and just party in the public areas without going to any festival events or visiting the bars/restaurants in the four block area.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.