BEAUMONT, Texas — As the pandemic continues, questions are rising about which events are and aren't happening in Beaumont.
The Martin Luther King Jr. parade was canceled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Mardi Gras Southeast Texas is still planning to move forward this year and that has upset some people online.
The city took to Facebook to clarify its role in these events.
The City of Beaumont released a statement Wednesday saying the city isn’t the host of either celebration and that the city doesn't have control over organizers who cancel events.
The city wrote in part, "If the event organizer chooses to go forward with their plans, the city will work with the host to ensure both the success of the event and the safety of the participants and spectators."
The city also said it'll provide masks and hand sanitizing stations during Mardi Gras weekend.
Full news release from the City of Beaumont...
As we all adjust to the new normal, we've gotten a lot of questions regarding why some events are allowed to take place while others are canceled. It's a common misconception that the City puts on all the major events, festivals, and parades. In reality, there are about 400 events a year utilizing our facilities, and the City hosts just a handful of them. Neither Mardi Gras or the MLK Day parade is hosted by the City, and the decision to hold or cancel a parade, festival or event is ultimately up to the individual event organizer.
That said, we're not insensitive to what's going on in the world and if the event organizer chooses to go forward with their plans, the City will work with the host to ensure both the success of the event and the safety of the participants and spectators.
Specifically, in regards to Mardi Gras, the entire festival is outdoors and open air in order to allow plenty of room to socially distance. That said, everyone has a different level of risk and tolerance, and certain times will be more crowded than others (i.e. during headline performances), so make a decision that's best for you and your family. There will be complimentary masks (the non-Mardi Gras kind) and hand sanitizer stations available.
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