Regarding Parking 2009
From SandFest Board of Directors

 

Many of you have asked about the changes in parking procedures, so let me explain.  SandFest, like all other public events, must obtain a permit and approval from the City.  We must provide certain things such as adequate porta-potties, and assurances that we will conduct a safe public event, etc.  SandFest and the City of Port Aransas are very careful about public safety.  As SandFest has grown larger, each year, some traffic issues have threatened the public welfare.  We have been warned many times, in the past, to prevent the double-parking as it narrows the roadway, creates bottle-necks, traffic jams and does not allow space for an emergency vehicle if one were needed.  We have posted signs and had extra volunteers try to stop people from parking illegally, behind our legally parked cars but we have not been able to stop the dozen cars which quickly turns into 50 then a hundred.  In the past we have had people park behind Doctors who were on-call at the hospital, behind handicapped people who needed to get out of the sun, behind our vendors who couldn't leave to replenish supplies...and worst of all, the traffic jam hampers any emergency vehicle from getting in, if needed.  The police department, talked to SandFest about needing to make sure this did not happen again.  We have a committee working with the police department now trying to iron out all of the details so we won't have the same thing again as in the past.. 

We need the parking within our event grounds for vendors, volunteers to run the event, first aid staff, sculptors, and handicapped.  These are all necessary or there can be no SandFest.  The public needs to park outside our event grounds.  We have not enough volunteers to help with the traffic.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CONTACT US.  With long lines, the volunteers have little time to spend with each person.  Thankfully, most drivers understand and go where they were directed.  This change was needed if SandFest was to continue.

 

We appreciate the Texas Treasure for operating a free shuttle from Sharkey's parking lot.  The Parks & Rec bus was  available to help with shuttling people to the beach from Roberts Point Park.  You may park at Roberts Point Park and catch the Parks & Rec bus or perhaps even the trolley which may take a bit longer route to get to Sandfest.

 

We are already making plans for 2009 and hopefully all the parking issues will be addressed and we can have a  safe event for everyone.  Allowing the public to drive their cars into the event grounds when there is no legal parking left doesn't make sense since the few spaces there are needed by the event, so don't be surprised if that is again the decision. 

 

We want to thank everyone who understood and a few who even thanked our parking volunteers.  SandFest is a great festival and we do everything we can to make it a safe event for all of us.  This is a difficult challenge for us and we do the best we can with a shortage of volunteers.  Hopefully, after reading this, most people will understand.  For those of you who still don't and decide not to attend in the future, that is OK too. 

We are very proud of the crowds that come to SandFest.  Typically, they are friendly, careful of the sculptures, help us keep the beach clean and support SandFest and any necessary rules needed to make it run smoothly and safely.  Remember you do need to purchase the $12 Beach Parking Sticker if you decide to park on the beach.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Texas Sandfest Board of Directors