This report by Bevin Wall give detail about our 2 days of parking cars for Newport's Annual Pig Cookin' Contest, held on April 1 & 2. Thanks Bevin! What a great job!
Synopsis Rotarians & Interactors provided a valuable service during the Newport Pig Cooking. This was the first service project for our new Interact Club. Friday traffic was light, and only Rotary Lots A & B were opened, across from the library. Saturday was one of the busiest days ever at the event. By 11 am Lots F, G & H (Worden, Dana & WOW) were opened, and by shortly after noon, by request of the NPD, all 8 of our lots were opened. No one was turned away for parking at any lot at any time. No accidents or injuries were reported or observed. The longest line for parking observed was 4 cars deep on a number of occasions during peak time with an average wait of less than 1 minute. Rotarians manned the only marked crossing area on Howard Blvd. Approximately 3,500 persons were parked in our lots and crossed the street. Another estimated 5,000 non-parkers were assisted, with a total estimated number of crossings of 17,000. An average of 10-12 volunteers operated the lots on Saturday. Boy Scouts were assisted with direction for library lot handicap parking, but Rotary ran free handicap parking and assistance all day as the library handicap lot filled up rapidly. Several Pig Cooking emergency deliveries were accommodated at no cost and with priority. Traffic was backed up during serving hours in the middle take-out lane being directed solely by the NPD officers, as there was no signage until after 2pm for the take-out lane. There was heavy traffic in all lanes from Noon to 3pm on Saturday. Newport Rotary had vetted traffic plans with NPD prior to the event and requested input. All Rotary lots were marked and pyloned. By request of Mann Realty and Totally Clipz, limited parking was done on their lots due to business concerns. 156 volunteer hours were logged.
