The Webster Parish Police Jury met Tuesday, November 4, approving all items on the agenda unanimously. Absent from the meeting were jurors Steven Lemmons, Daniel Thomas, and Bruce Blanton.
Tourism Director Amie Poladian reported that this weekend is expected to bring roughly 10,000 visitors to the parish as two major events coincide — Main to Main Trade Days and the first Miss Louisiana Volunteer pageant.
“That will bring spectators, contestants, and families from all over the state,” she said of the statewide pageant, which will take place at 6 PM Saturday at the Minden Civic Center. Visit Webster is sponsoring a livestream for residents who wish to watch from home.
Poladian said Main to Main, traditionally held Friday and Saturday, will extend through Sunday this year to encourage more overnight stays from out-of-town visitors.
Poladian noted that this is the first year for centralized registration for Main to Main. The event connects towns across Webster Parish from Springhill to Minden, with each town managing participation differently. Vendors can register through the Visit Webster website to select their preferred town and view local requirements.
“The goal of centralized registration is to learn who the vendors are so we can grow the event and to create an interactive map that will let people know exactly where to find the vendors,” Poladian said.
Residents hosting yard sales that weekend are not required to register if they are not on the route, though it is recommended so they can be added to the map.
Poladian added that while changes to the event may cause some growing pains this year, they will strengthen future events. She also addressed vendor questions about sales tax. “In the state of Louisiana and in Webster Parish, you are required to pay sales tax on sales,” she said. “It’s not something we made up; it’s something that’s always been. I think it’s something that’s getting a little bit of hype because it’s the first time it’s been put on social media.”
Other reports included Melinda Davis of Community Services, who said the federal government shutdown has not delayed their funding, and Wanda Finley of Head Start, who reported that the program is still hiring. Col. Carl Thompson of the Assessor’s Office announced that tax notices are being mailed this week and payments can now be made online.
The Police Jury meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex at 401 Main Street in Minden. Meetings are livestreamed at www.websterparishla.org. The public is welcome to attend.