Open containers banned outside of Humor and Harmony Festival grounds

Shreveport, Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. – Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s Humor and Harmony Festival in August will invite thousands to a small area of downtown Shreveport. Similar to events like Mudbug Madness and the Red River Revel, a special use permit is required to sell alcohol at the festival. The permit does not extend to areas outside of the event grounds.

Council Votes Against Extension

Shreveport City Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor authored a resolution to extend an area outside of the grounds to allow for open containers. The council voted 5-2 against the resolution. Taylor acknowledged the council has passed over 200 similar resolutions since 2010.

“This isn’t anything we have not done before. We have done this with previous events,” said Taylor.

“I’m looking at apples to apples, if we have done this before, what makes this festival so bad? This is four blocks compared to miles during Mardi Gras,” said Councilman James Green.

Concerns Raised by Council Members

Councilman Gary Brooks says allowing open containers outside the grounds invites attendees to bring their own alcohol instead of purchasing it from local businesses and vendors.

“I don’t see any sales tax benefit from people drinking outside. If they’re drinking outside and not going into a business, they’re not spending any money,” said Brooks.

Shreveport activist Craig Lee says the council’s decision is hypocritical when the Red River District blocks away from where the festival will be held is a permanent open container district. He says the open container extension would have helped protect festival goers from being harassed or arrested.

Councilman Clarifies Regulations

Councilman Alan Jackson clarifies what will and won’t be allowed during the festival.

“50 Cent has applied for what’s called a special use permit. Within the festival area, open containers are allowed. What the council voted on was not to extend permission for open containers to other areas where the special use permit is not covered. At bars, the festival grounds, the inflatable dome and even Independence Stadium, alcohol will be sold in all of those areas and people will be allowed to drink,” said Jackson.

Future Planning for the Festival

Jackson hopes this is the first of many festivals in collaboration with G-Unit, and says things could be different next year.

“We’re going to take notes at the event and then we’re going to make the proper adjustments to make it bigger and better each year. We can revisit this decision, but right now we do feel like this is the best decision,” said Jackson.

Event Details

Jackson says he is against drinking outside of the event since there is no outdoor entertainment at the festival. He claims this is the major difference between this event and Mardi Gras where the festivities are designed to be outside and patrons are encouraged to be outside.

The Humor and Harmony Festival will be held from Thursday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 11.