Council approves partial closure of 8th Street for post-parade event

The Ballinger City Council voted to close roughly half a block of 8th Street downtown for a post-parade social event on Nov. 29, 2025, approving a motion to set up barricades around 5:30 p.m. and remove them by midnight.

Council members discussed logistics before the vote, including limiting the closure to the alley stretch to avoid blocking businesses such as Shelby's and a local flower shop, and coordinating with the chamber for daytime activities. One local business representative noted a band had been arranged: "Is gonna play so they would play from, like, 8 to 10:30, so after the parade," (Committee member, Speaker 5). The council also discussed where to stage the trailer used as a platform and how to manage security and parking during the event.

A motion to authorize the closure was offered and the chair called for a voice vote; the motion was approved after members responded "Aye." The motion text on the floor directed staff to block off the street around 05:30 and to pull barricades by midnight to allow vendors to load out. The motion’s mover and seconder are not explicitly identified in the transcript and are recorded here as "not specified."

Council members signaled willingness to work with the chamber on daytime activities and asked staff to avoid closing key storefront access. The council did not adopt a written closure ordinance on the record; this action was recorded as a motion and passed in open session. The council did not record an individual roll-call vote in the transcript.