VIDALIA — Individuals or groups wanting to host parades through the streets of Vidalia might soon need to have a liability insurance policy to keep the good times rolling.

The Vidalia Board of Aldermen tabled a motion Tuesday night that could require individuals or groups to have a certain amount of liability insurance coverage in order to have a parade in the city.

During the city’s recent Mardi Gras parade in February, City attorney Jack McLemore said a motorist mistakenly drove on a road that was closed off by the Vidalia Police Department.

“He just made a mistake, but it got us thinking, ‘Well what if something bigger had happened?’” McLemore said. “So we started looking into it.”

McLemore said a state statute requires municipalities with a population of more than 451,000 have a parade permit for citizens or groups wishing to host a parade.

The permit requires those individuals or groups to have a certain amount of liability insurance in case of accidents or injuries during the parade.

“In all cases the person or persons or the group, association or organization to whom the permit is issued shall be liable for all damage to property or persons which may arise out of or in connection with any such procession, march, parade or public demonstration for which a permit is issued,” the statute reads.

McLemore said Vidalia didn’t meet the state statute population requirements, but he told the board he believed the city should have a parade permit in place.

“It just makes sense because that protects the city in case of any accidents,” McLemore said. “We need to check and see how much insurance would cost to whoever is having the parade.”

Mayor Hyram Copeland told McLemore and the board he wanted to ensure individuals or groups wanting to host a parade could afford to do so and would not be deterred because of the price.

“I think we’re going to have problems with some of these groups not having the money,” Copeland said. “We have a lot of traditions through the years with these parades.”

A mock application for parade/special event permit was presented to the board and included a portion that states the need for a liability insurance policy for the event with a minimum of $200,000 in coverage.

McLemore said he believed the city could lower its minimum coverage amount to $150,000, which an individual or group could receive by paying between $200 to $300 for the policy.

Beaux Pilgrim with Reed Insurance Agency in Vidalia said a special events company listed a rate of $462 to cover an event with 2,000 spectators.

“What those premiums are based on are how much coverage you’re looking for and also the number of spectators,” Pilgrim said. “The more spectators, the higher risk you have of someone getting hurt.”

Krewe of Vidal organizer Cassandra Lynch, who has hosted a Mardi Gras parade the last three years, said she understands the city’s reasoning behind wanting to require the liability insurance and would find a way to keep the parade going even with a fee requirement.

“I think depending on the cost, you could do a registration fee for each float or have some sort of fundraising to make it happen,” Lynch said. “The city and the mayor have supported us 100 percent, so if this is something they say we must do, then we will do it and keep on rolling.

“I think as a community, we could get it done.”

McLemore told the board he would ask various insurance agencies in the area for rates and bring them back to the board in April for further discussion.