McMinnville looks at relaxing liquor rules in parks for festivals
The city of McMinnville is looking at relaxing liquor ordinances in city parks to allow events such as the Walnut City Music festival to use the lower city park. In recent years the festival has been held in the Grainery district in McMinnville but due to construction they want to use another venue.
One challenge has been the park’s alcohol prohibition and the fact festival organizers use their cut on alcohol sales to keep ticket prices down. The city’s parks Director is recommending the city work with organizers to make the city recovers it’s costs but also partnering with festivals as a means of providing labor or money to expand and maintain parks.
councilors seem to like the idea. Councilor Adam Garven wants to ensure any festival permits still must come before council if loud noise will continue past ten pm.
Walnut City Festival co-organizer Ozzie Bladine says his festival would be operated much like a brews and barbecue event where liquor sales are monitored and people are not “over served” if they are obviously intoxicated. Councilors have directed staff to come up with some specifics and return to them for approval
