The Board of Public Safety meeting held on September 24, 2025, in Evansville, Indiana, focused on the review of special event permit applications, particularly addressing concerns raised about recent festivals and their management.

The meeting began with Curtis Eustace, the administrator for the Board of Public Safety, reading a memo from Dave Rector regarding the application for the Bacon Burger and Beer Festival. Rector recommended denying the permit due to issues encountered during previous events, specifically the Mac and Cheese Festival and the Pickle Festival. Eustace highlighted that during the Mac and Cheese Festival, a tent was improperly placed, obstructing access to the Back 40 parking lot, which is managed by the Evansville Building Authority. He noted that despite providing barricade locations for future events, problems persisted during the Pickle Festival, where barricades blocked access to the court's lot, leading to complaints and delays.

Joe Nader, the event organizer, defended the management of the Pickle Festival, stating that despite the challenges, the event was successful with over 50 vendors. He acknowledged some miscommunication regarding food truck parking but emphasized that they had made efforts to comply with the approved plans. Nader expressed regret for the issues but insisted that they had taken steps to manage the situation effectively.

The discussion revealed tensions between Nader and the Board, particularly regarding accountability for the event's logistics. Board members expressed concerns about ensuring safe access for judges and other officials during events, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to submitted plans.

Ultimately, the Board voted to deny the permit for the Bacon Burger and Beer Festival, citing ongoing issues with event management. The decision was made to maintain safety and order during city events, with a motion to deny the request receiving unanimous support.

The meeting concluded with a clear message that future events would require stricter compliance with safety protocols and logistical planning to avoid similar issues. The Board indicated that they would not entertain further applications until they were confident in the event organizers' ability to manage the events effectively.