Bossier City Faces Backlash Over Festival Transportation Decision
Bossier City recently found itself at the center of controversy after a last-minute decision to cancel a planned park and ride at the Louisiana Boardwalk for the upcoming Humor & Harmony festival. The move has drawn significant attention, especially from hip-hop artist 50 Cent, who expressed his discontent over social media.
Changes to Transportation Plans
The festival, which aims to bring together music lovers and community members, initially had the support of SporTran, the local transit authority. They had planned dedicated shuttle routes, including stops at the Mall St. Vincent and the Louisiana Boardwalk, to help attendees navigate the festival. However, just two days before the event, Bossier City officials announced that the Boardwalk would no longer serve as a park and ride location.
Reasons Behind the Decision
According to Leslie Peck, the marketing director for SporTran, the Louisiana Boardwalk was officially on board to participate in the shuttle service. The decision came as a shock when Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler reportedly communicated his disapproval of the park and ride arrangement, leading to the abrupt withdrawal of the Boardwalk as a designated stop.
Peck stated, “We thought it would be better to have a Shreveport one and a Bossier one because of the construction going on on I-20.” The unexpected change was particularly frustrating as SporTran was already preparing marketing materials for the routes.
Local Business Impact
The general manager of the Louisiana Boardwalk, Ashley Warner, noted that the city owned the parking facilities, which meant their approval was necessary for the park and ride system to operate. Initially, all parties involved appeared enthusiastic about the arrangement, but miscommunication led to the decision being made without proper coordination.
“It wasn’t anything we were opposed to, nothing that the city was opposed to, but it just was poor planning,” Warner explained, emphasizing that no one received the necessary permissions for the shuttle service.
50 Cent Weighs In
The tension surrounding the cancellation reached a social media frenzy when 50 Cent posted about it on Instagram, humorously stating, “Bossier, didn’t want us over there … ok we not coming! LOL.” His comments resonated with fans and followers, further fueling the dialogue around the festival’s transportation issues.
City’s Response
A spokesperson for Bossier City, Louis Johnson, stated that while the city supported the Humor & Harmony festival, they did not receive the logistics information in a timely manner. He acknowledged the situation as a miscommunication issue rather than a lack of support.
The fallout from this transportation decision prompts questions about the organization’s planning efforts for the festival and the impact this may have on festival attendance from Bossier City residents. As the event unfolds, many are keen to see how the community will respond and adapt to the changes.
