Festival organizers seem to always be looking for more ways to make events fun and family-friendly.
But recently in Lake County, groups that plan and organize festivals have also increased their emphasis on preventing violence and unruly behavior at these community gatherings.
New safety and security rules have been established for Fairport Mardi Gras 2024, in an effort to curb the rowdy and violent behavior that has plagued some other recent area festivals.
The Fairport Mardi Gras Committee issued a news release on June 25 announcing the additional regulations. The rules were developed by Mardi Gras leaders in collaboration with local law enforcement and government officials.
This year’s Mardi Gras is scheduled for July 3-6 at Fairport Harbor Village. Daily hours are 1 to 11 pm
The celebration includes amusement park rides, fireworks, live music, fun activities for people of all ages, and a variety of food concession stands and trailers.
“Our goal is to provide a family-friendly festival for the local community, while using the proceeds to provide scholarships, donations to local food banks, school groups, and other charitable endeavors throughout the year,” said the President of the Fairport Mardi Gras Committee. Shannon Barnhill.
Festival leaders recently decided to implement stricter safety and security measures at the 2024 event, after two area church festivals were marred by outbreaks of fighting, disorderly conduct and restless crowds.
Here are the new 2024 Fairport Mardi Gras rules aimed at keeping the event orderly and peaceful:
• Entrance and exit at the festival must be done at the designated access point. The location, as well as a map of the festival grounds, can be viewed on the Fairport Mardi Gras Facebook page.
All those arriving during the day should use the festival’s main entrance near the Fairport Harbor Maritime Museum and Lighthouse on Second and High streets.
“Entrance to the north side of the beach will be available in the evening or after 7 p.m.,” said the Mardi Gras news release.
Barnhill said the entire festival grounds will be roped off this year, except for two entrances.
“It gives us a good amount of room to enforce the rules,” he said.
• Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter Mardi Gras after 7 p.m
• No fighting or disorderly behavior.
• No hoods or face masks are permitted unless medically necessary.
• Book bags or large bags are subject to inspection upon entry.
• Alcohol must be purchased from, and remain in, designated Amusement Parks.
• Additional items may be prohibited at the discretion of law enforcement or event officials.
• By requesting entry to this event, all festivalgoers and attendees will be subject to search.
A similar set of rules was established by the Kirtland Police Department and put into place at the 2024 Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival on June 13-15.
The strawberry extravaganza was one of the first major festivals in Lake County to take place after chaos erupted at the St. Gabriel on June 8th.
Barnhill said he and fellow leaders from the Fairport Mardi Gras Committee are talking to the Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival organizers about how the new rules will be implemented at the event.
In addition, he said that Mardi Gras officials have been in discussions with St. Gabriel Parish Festival organizers, regarding the chaotic situation that occurred at the meeting.
He considered the representatives of St. Gabriel provided very helpful feedback.
“They really helped us make plans for our festival, because we were able to get some insight from them,” Barnhill said.
The News-Herald commends Fairport Mardi Gras and Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival organizers for taking proactive steps to ensure the festival remains fun and safe.
We wouldn’t be surprised if more area festivals in the future follow the lead of the Fairport Mardi Gras and Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival in implementing additional measures to prevent violence and disorderly behavior at community events.
It is hoped that these efforts will deter those who cause trouble from attending regional festivals or lead to their ejection from the event if they cause trouble.
