With a road closure ordinance already in place for the upcoming Christmas parade, Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday also approved a slow-moving traffic ordinance that allows for hayrides up and down Roanoke Avenue during the Christmas on the Avenue event.

Christmas on the Avenue is scheduled for Friday, December 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Christmas parade is scheduled Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m.

“It is for slow-moving traffic on the avenue,” parks and recreation Director Kelly Daughtry told the council. “This will not close the road but it will give us the permit to have that slow-moving traffic.”

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Ordinance amendment for archery courses

Meanwhile, with the parks department slated to begin archery classes at T.J. Davis next year, police Chief Shane Guyant told the council an ordinance amendment was needed that would allow these classes as well as allow for public weapons training at the city’s firing range under the supervision of certified city personnel.

“We instantly noticed the way the ordinance would be read they would not be able to hold this bow and arrow class on their property because of the way the ordinance is written,” Guyant said. “We also realized with the cadre of classes that we do for the public at our firing range we couldn’t invite anybody from the public to bring a firearm for a firearms safety event.”

Meeting with the city attorney, Guyant said an ordinance amendment was drafted which allows people to participate in a city of Roanoke Rapids-sanctioned under the direct supervision of certified city employees related to weapons. 

That amendment, he said, would avoid any type of issues in the future and would allow the parks and recreation department to have this bow and arrow course taught on their property. “It would also allow us to invite citizens and other community groups who were doing weapon training to occur.”

Daughtry said advertising for the classes will most likely be advertised in mid-January for a program in February.