Metairie is bracing for a wave of excitement with the upcoming New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix. This inaugural event will take over the Bonnabel Boat Launch and its adjacent waterways in Jefferson Parish from June 27 through June 29, according to a notice posted by the Jefferson Parish. As the engines roar to life across the lake, residents and visitors alike should prepare for a host of temporary traffic adjustments and street closures designed to facilitate this high-octane spectacle.
Starting at 6 a.m. on Friday, and stretching to 11 p.m. on Sunday, certain streets will be partially or fully closed off to vehicle traffic. Notably, Live Oak St. from Homestead Ave. to Bonnabel Blvd. will permit only westbound traffic, and Grace King Place from Rockford Heights to Sunrise Senior Living will welcome northbound vehicles exclusively. Meanwhile, parking restrictions will rain down on several streets to ensure emergency vehicles can navigate with ease. The "no parking" signs will rise on both sides of Bonnabel Boulevard as well as the median, from Veterans Boulevard up to the Levee, and will also branch out to neighboring streets like Helios and Poinsettia Drive, among others.
The event, presented by Harvey Gulf International Marine, in conjunction with Jefferson Parish, and local officials such as Councilman Hans Liljeberg, is shaping up to be not just a race but a multi-faceted experience featuring a poker run, speed trials, and what has been described as a "party in the pits" replete with vendors, food, and live entertainment. It’s an opportunity for families to come together, for fans to meet the racers, and for the community to partake in the thrill of powerboat racing.
"Hosting the P1 Powerboat Racing Series is not only a tremendous opportunity for entertainment, but also a powerful boost for our local economy. It is expected to draw thousands of visitors, provide significant exposure for our parish, and support our local businesses, hotels, and restaurants," Councilman Hans Liljeberg said as per the Jefferson Parish website, emphasizing the anticipated economic ripple effect.
