Members of the Willie Arthur Smith Cobras marching band perform during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Revelers during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Krewe members throw beads to the crowd during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Children round up beads tossed from floats during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Krewe members throw beads to the crowd that lined the streets despite heavy rains during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Cheerleaders during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Revelers try to catch beads during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
People stop to pick up beads from the ground during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
A marching band performs during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
A woman takes cover under a Mardi Gras umbrella as rain pours before the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
A motorcyclist rides through pouring rains during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
A vendor pushes a cart full of lighted toys through pouring rain during the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
A vendor sells lighted toys at the Majestic Krewe of Aurora parade at Mardis Gras Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Saturday evening. Photo taken Saturday 2/10/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
The lights of the Himalaya ride glow on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Lilyian Hallmark and grandfather Steve Phillips make their way through a lighted maze on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Lights reflect off of mirrors in a maze attraction on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
The colorful lights of a ride are reflected in a puddle on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Men dance and sing along to zydeco music at Walt J's BBQ stand on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Julian Ceja, 4, shoots a basketball playing a carnival game on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise Photo: Ryan Pelham / ©2017 The Beaumont Enterprise/Ryan Pelham
Iris Castillo dons newly caught strands of beads as she joins the crowd lining Procter Street for the parade on the opening night of the annual Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas Thursday in downtown Port Arthur. The opening parade was among the highlights to kick off the weekend-long festivities. The children's carnival and musical entertainment, as well as food and other vendors, were also among the night's activities. On Friday, the gates open at 6 p.m. The Krewe of Krewes Parade is at 7 p.m. Casey Donahew performs at 10:30 p.m. Friday admission is $15. Gates open at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Numerous parades will be held throughout the day into night on Saturday, with the Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade beginning at 6 p.m. Granger Smith performs at 10:30 p.m. Saturday admission is $15. Gates open on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Munchkin Parade is at 3 p.m. Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday admission is $10. See a complete schedule at mardigras.portarthur.com. Photo taken Thursday, February 23, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Kim Brent
Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Kim Brent
Ricky Hollier tosses a medallion to the crowd as he and fellow Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Kim Brent
Krewe royalty, including Marianne Petry, march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Arms begging for beads stretch beyond the barriers as Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Kim Brent
Families line the barriers along Procter Street as they await eh start of the Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Carnival rides light the sunset sky on the opening night of the annual Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas Thursday in downtown Port Arthur. The opening parade was among the highlights to kick off the weekend-long festivities. The children's carnival and musical entertainment, as well as food and other vendors, were also among the night's activities. On Friday, the gates open at 6 p.m. The Krewe of Krewes Parade is at 7 p.m. Casey Donahew performs at 10:30 p.m. Friday admission is $15. Gates open at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Numerous parades will be held throughout the day into night on Saturday, with the Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade beginning at 6 p.m. Granger Smith performs at 10:30 p.m. Saturday admission is $15. Gates open on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Munchkin Parade is at 3 p.m. Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday admission is $10. See a complete schedule at mardigras.portarthur.com. Photo taken Thursday, February 23, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Kim Brent
Spectators clamor for beads as Krewe royalty, including Karla Lozano, march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Young girls box as the crowd records and watches during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Krewe royalty, including Justin Swain and Cathy Cooper, march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Crowds gather beads and trinkets as Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Young boxers and fans take in the afternoon bouts during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Mackenzie Louvier and Ethan Bellot share a moment together as they hang out with friends during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Arms begging for beads stretch beyond the barriers as Krewe royalty march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Suzanne Boren sprays a friend with silly string as they enjoy the festivities at the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Spectators clamor for beads as Krewe royalty, including Cathy Cooper, march down Procter Street, passing out beads and trinkets to the crowd, during the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas festivities Saturday afternoon in Port Arthur. Photo taken Saturday, February 25, 2017 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise
Port Arthur considers restrictions on Mardi Gras vendors
The hawkers who line Procter Street selling pistolettes and gumbo to Mardi Gras parade-goers could be banned next year under an ordinance requested by festival organizers who want to protect authorized vendors who pay to participate.
Tim Romero, board chairman of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, on Tuesday asked Port Arthur City Council to enact a rule to stop people from selling food or drinks within a buffer zone around the gates of the festival.
He said the issue "is severely impacting our sustainability." The vendors and booths inside get fewer customers when people have paid for food outside, cutting into the revenue that they expect will cover the cost of the fee to participate. "Several have decided not to return," Romero said.
Currently, vendors pay $950 to set up and sell food and drinks inside the gates, which includes electricity and water, Mardi Gras president Laura Childress said at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
According to a Food Concession Agreement posted on the organization's website, the vendors must have their menus and food prices approved by the organization. They must have liability insurance and must collect and report sales tax. They can only offer four "main items," not including beverages or nachos and are subject to the city's Rules and Regulations for Temporary Food Service Establishments.
Vendors who sell food on the streets outside the festival, typically along the parade route, pay $10 each for a Temporary Food Establishment permit from the city, though some likely don't get permission at all and have gone unchecked. Food purchased outside the gates cannot be brought inside.
Romero said that outside the gates there's no assurance of the same "safety and security" as inside the festival, where the vendors are regulated.
Childress said the organization doesn't want to stop private parties and that the rule shouldn't target property owners from selling parking spots near the festival.
She and Romero said they'd like to discuss the size of the "event zone" with the council, but proposed an area six to 10 blocks from the festival's boundaries in which vendors couldn't sell food unless they also paid the $950 fee.
Council member Thomas Kinlaw asked about the legality of an ordinance, which would likely entail stopping people from selling food from their own property. "Can we limit people on private property?" he asked. "We need to do everything legally."
Mayor Derrick Freeman said property owners who would be affected by the ordinance "have to understand if Mardi Gras goes away, there's no opportunity to sell."
"I can understand a vendor not wanting to come to Mardi Gras if they can go outside," said council member Harold Doucet. "I think the answer is this zone. We need to look at health and safety of the vendors, and be sure that the food being served to citizens is good and passes inspection."
"Inside the gate, revelers can celebrate in complete safety," Romero said. "Outside the gate, revelers are not offered these protections from non-regulated sales of alcohol to food safety to fraud protection to overall security."
While Mardi Gras organizers said the "buyer beware" atmosphere outside the gates is "not fair to the citizens of Port Arthur," others say the price of entry to the gated celebration is the problem. Critics also have said that the high vendor fees hurt people who can't pay to run their booths.
Amos Ambrose, who has brought his food truck, Meaux's Gumbo, to Mardi Gras the past two years, said competition with outside vendors "does make it a little harder," but he doesn't "see too much wrong with it."
Cutting down the number of outside vendors might help his own business, but he said it would be bad for people who can't afford the high fee to serve inside the gates, especially many who were selling food this year in an effort to make money to help replace what they lost in Harvey.
"Everybody outside is just trying to make money, too," Ambrose said.
George Davis, who comes to Mardi Gras with his wife and daughter each year, said buying food from their friends and family who set up outside the gates is one of their favorite traditions.
General admission this spring was $15 on Friday and Saturday, and $20 on Sunday. For his family of three, that's nearly $50 before buying any food or drinks, he said. "How feasible is that for people?"
Instead, they park at their family's house nearby and line up to watch the parade, where they buy turkey legs and links from friends who sell them every year.
"We have friends and family that set up outside, we patronize them," Davis said. "It helps them out, and it's better food."
Many of the outside vendors line the street year after year, and people seek them out for their favorites, which range from tamales and tacos to Cajun specialties and homemade sweet potato pies.
Some of those are people who used to sell inside the fair but decided to move outside over the past few years, Childress said.
City staff are expected to discuss the possible ordinance and its legal implications before the council takes it up at a workshop at a future meeting.