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Martindale gearing up for expected crowds next weekend

Float Fest
Sunday, July 15, 2018

Martindale Police Chief Harry Juergens hopes that the crowds from Float Fest don’t affect his city, but just in case, he will be prepared.

“Everybody that I have is going to be here,” Juergens told the Martindale City Council at its meeting last week.

Council member Mike McClabb asked if Martindale police could somehow note if, when they give a citation to someone the weekend of the festival, the person receiving the citation is coming from Float Fest. Juergens said it is possible, but he does not expect to handle much more than loud music calls.

“Even before this permit was issued, I was in contact with (Hays County) Constable Ray Helm, who is in charge of all the security detail, as well as the promoter,” Juergens said, adding that festival goers are being discouraged from taking the route through Martindale to get to the festival, which is on the other side of the San Marcos River in Guadalupe County.

On the Float Fest website, directions are given from both Farm to Market Road 621 and State Highway 80, but the site notes that 621 is the preferred route.

“What’s the contingency for people coming from 80?” McClabb asked.

“That’s going to be us,” Juergens answered.

Juergens told the city council that the primary role Martindale police expect to play is fielding loud music calls to keep county law enforcement free to handle other matters. Juergens said Martindale officers will have a decibel meter on the Martindale side of the river.

In a telephone interview, Juergens said he does not expect much activity in Martindale itself.

“I really don’t expect a lot of problems,” he said.

He also said that Helm has historically done a good job of handling security and working with other law enforcement agencies to help manage Float Fest traffic.

“He’s done a fantastic job of trying to keep everybody happy,” Juergens said.

As for the calls his department expects, Juergens said he imagines they will be “not so much loud music calls as quality of music calls.”

Helm could not be reached for comment about traffic plans for the festival, which is scheduled for July 21-22 at Cool River Ranch. Performers at this year’s Float Fest include Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse and Bassnectar.

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666