McComb was established partly because it wouldn’t have the alcohol that its railroad president founder worried would cause a bad influence on his workers in New Orleans.
But there will be plenty of it during this year’s Iron Horse Music & Heritage Festival, which coincides with the city’s 150th birthday.
Selectmen Ted Tullos, Michael Cameron, Devante Johnson, Shawn Williams and Ronnie Brock voted in favor Monday of allowing both beer and a professional fireworks display. Selectman Donovan Hill was absent.
The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 14.
Festival spokesperson Vickie Webb recently asked the board’s permission for the two things last week as she discussed plans for the festival.
“We need to have streets blocked,” she said. “It looks like we’re growing and we’re going to take Railroad and the first block of Canal and the first block of Main. We go up Railroad close to the Pike School of Arts building, which used to be the police station juvenile detention center.”
Webb said a 5K race would begin on Canal Street.
Webb said there will be additional security officers.
“We’re going to hire some more people,” she said.
Webb also asked for security help from the city police. She said the festival is insured and the city would be included on the policy.
Brock asked about the reason for an increase in security.
“Are the crowds getting larger?” he said. “There are no incidents?”
“We have not had any incidents,” Webb replied. “We don’t want to have any. We just feel like if there’s a strong presence there, that will make it more secure.”
Mayor Quordiniah Lockley asked Webb for a detailed map on where streets would be blocked off.
“Our public works department, our police department, our fire department, they all need to be aware where things need to be blocked off and all that, in order to make sure that we do our part to make sure that the festival is safe,” he said.
Webb said she is looking forward to the festival.
“We think it’s going to be really good,” she said. “Already, we’re full with food vendors.”
Webb said moving the festival from June in 2021 to May for 2022 has made a difference.
“We’re having more interest from vendors early on,” she said. “Normally, they wait until the very last minute to see what the weather is going to be.
“We think it’s going to be a success and looking forward to it.”
