Large Trail Rides Raise Concerns Again
Successful Step-N-Strut Trailride Raises
Old Issues
November 8, 2014
William Johnson
The Daily World
Following last weekend's Step-N-Strut trail ride, the largest in the state and one of the largest in the nation, elected officials are asking again about whether St. Landry Parish should welcome such events.
"A lot of people are complaining. They blocked that highway for hours. That shouldn't be allowed," said District 4 Councilman Huet "Picheau" Dupre during the most recent parish council committee meeting.
"I was not even aware that Step-N-Strut was even allowed to come here," replied District 9 Councilman Wayne Ardoin.
Ardoin asked to review copies of the parish's trial ride ordinance.
Trail rides have been a tradition in the parish since its beginnings in the early 1800s.
Such rides used to involve a few dozen to about 100 people. In the last decade, some have grown to include thousands.
It is estimated this year's Step-N-Strut drew more than 10,000 visitors.
Not more than 1,000 of these horsemen and women actually take part in the trail ride. Instead, these events have turned into a massive three-day party with live music, events and more.
The ride itself only takes in a few hours on Sunday.
Paul Scott with Step-N-Strut called this year's event a success that attracted visitors not only from this area but also from neighboring states.
He called that an economic boost for the parish that filled local hotels, motels and campgrounds.
Step-N-Strut used to be based out of the grounds at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. But as it grew, it became too large for that site located in Opelousas.
Last year, the ride that was born in Opelousas moved to a farm near Natchitoches.
For its 15th edition this year it was back, based out of Zydeco Park in the rural Plaisance area.
That site took it out of a heavily populated area but apparently didn't eliminate the complaints.
In response to Dupre's complaint about traffic delays, Scott said that had little to do with the ride, which only took a few hours and never totally closed the road.
It was hard, though, to find a place for all the visitors to park. One narrow, two-lane gravel road leads in and out of the park.
"We had some problems, but we worked around them," said Scott, who added that plans are underway to improve the traffic and parking next year.
But he also argued that traffic problems are to be expected with any large gathering like this.
"LSU is playing Alabama this weekend in Baton Rouge," Scott said Frida. "You know there will be traffic delays. But that is just part of economic development."
Massive rides like this prompted the council to adopt a trail ride ordinance a decade ago.
That ordinance limited such rides to no more than 1,000 riders and added strict security requirements.
Those security requirements have also become an issue. Trail ride organizers argue that the large number of required officers, often each paid $30 per hour or more, makes the rides unprofitable.
Organizers with another ride complained to the council last week about a recent change in those security requirements.
The ordinance requires the parish sheriff's office to provide the security. But with so many rides each fall, in recent years the sheriff has turned over much of that responsibility to the Ward I Marshal's Office.
Earlier this month the sheriff took it back.
"I prefer the marshal's office. They provided our security for the past two years and they did a fantastic job," trail ride organizer Pat Gordon told the council. "Why are you changing it at the last minute?"
"It is the sheriff's call," replied Parish President Bill Fontenot.
After the meeting, Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said members of the council had urged him to resume the responsibility.
"According to the ordinance, I am responsible for trail rides. I will follow the wording of the ordinance," Guidroz said.
Scott said the sheriff's office provided the security for this year's Step-N-Strut and he was satisfied with the results.
Successful Step-N-Strut Trailride Raises
Old Issues
November 8, 2014
William Johnson
The Daily World
 |
Horseman gathered at Zydeco Park lat weekend for the annual Step-N-Strut trail ride.
(Photo: Freddie Herpin/Daily World )
|
"A lot of people are complaining. They blocked that highway for hours. That shouldn't be allowed," said District 4 Councilman Huet "Picheau" Dupre during the most recent parish council committee meeting.
"I was not even aware that Step-N-Strut was even allowed to come here," replied District 9 Councilman Wayne Ardoin.
Ardoin asked to review copies of the parish's trial ride ordinance.
Trail rides have been a tradition in the parish since its beginnings in the early 1800s.
Such rides used to involve a few dozen to about 100 people. In the last decade, some have grown to include thousands.
It is estimated this year's Step-N-Strut drew more than 10,000 visitors.
Not more than 1,000 of these horsemen and women actually take part in the trail ride. Instead, these events have turned into a massive three-day party with live music, events and more.
The ride itself only takes in a few hours on Sunday.
Paul Scott with Step-N-Strut called this year's event a success that attracted visitors not only from this area but also from neighboring states.
He called that an economic boost for the parish that filled local hotels, motels and campgrounds.
Step-N-Strut used to be based out of the grounds at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. But as it grew, it became too large for that site located in Opelousas.
Last year, the ride that was born in Opelousas moved to a farm near Natchitoches.
For its 15th edition this year it was back, based out of Zydeco Park in the rural Plaisance area.
That site took it out of a heavily populated area but apparently didn't eliminate the complaints.
In response to Dupre's complaint about traffic delays, Scott said that had little to do with the ride, which only took a few hours and never totally closed the road.
It was hard, though, to find a place for all the visitors to park. One narrow, two-lane gravel road leads in and out of the park.
"We had some problems, but we worked around them," said Scott, who added that plans are underway to improve the traffic and parking next year.
But he also argued that traffic problems are to be expected with any large gathering like this.
"LSU is playing Alabama this weekend in Baton Rouge," Scott said Frida. "You know there will be traffic delays. But that is just part of economic development."
Massive rides like this prompted the council to adopt a trail ride ordinance a decade ago.
That ordinance limited such rides to no more than 1,000 riders and added strict security requirements.
Those security requirements have also become an issue. Trail ride organizers argue that the large number of required officers, often each paid $30 per hour or more, makes the rides unprofitable.
Organizers with another ride complained to the council last week about a recent change in those security requirements.
The ordinance requires the parish sheriff's office to provide the security. But with so many rides each fall, in recent years the sheriff has turned over much of that responsibility to the Ward I Marshal's Office.
Earlier this month the sheriff took it back.
"I prefer the marshal's office. They provided our security for the past two years and they did a fantastic job," trail ride organizer Pat Gordon told the council. "Why are you changing it at the last minute?"
"It is the sheriff's call," replied Parish President Bill Fontenot.
After the meeting, Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said members of the council had urged him to resume the responsibility.
"According to the ordinance, I am responsible for trail rides. I will follow the wording of the ordinance," Guidroz said.
Scott said the sheriff's office provided the security for this year's Step-N-Strut and he was satisfied with the results.
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