Alcohol Control at Festivals
Picnics & Summer Events
Festivals &
Events:
• Celebrate
• Commemorate
• Fundraise
Research suggests that selling
alcohol to intoxicated individuals &
underage youth are relatively
common at events.
Public events: open to the
public, feature ethnicity,
performances,
requirements of Class B
temporary license apply
Private events on public
property: Rules for
alcohol use/sale on public
property apply in addition
to state requirements.
Block Parties, Street Parties
Organization Events
Unless alcohol is sold & event is public no
alcohol license is needed. Street closing permits
may be required.
Private events on
private property
are controlled by
organizational
policy – unless
alcohol is sold.
Problems:
• Underage Drinking
• Over-serving
Solutions :
• Evidence-based policy
& practices
What La Crosse Learned
Between 2010-2013, 16 festivals
were assessed annually to
determine compliance with 20
evidence-based policies.
Even with training and technical
support voluntary strategies had
short term impact.
License conditions are required
for effective implementation of
alcohol control policies and
practices.
Many community coalitions survey local festivals
before meeting with local organizers.
A survey provides:
1. Current information on how alcohol is
managed at local events, and
2. Engaging project for Coalition volunteers
providing a shared sense of purpose.
The La Crosse Area
Festival Survey
• Group training
• Two person teams
• Each person completes
individual survey
• Multiple team visits @
different times
• Single reviewer/scorekeeper
Challenges
• Festival organizers are
volunteers
• Perceive the event as
important/valuable to
the community
• Turn-over among
volunteers
• Significant time
between events
Approach as a
community asset
to enhance NOT a
community
problem that
needs to be
solved.
What do you know about Class
B Picnic Licenses?
• Limited to civic groups &
organizations
• Time limited
• Class “B” – beer including
FMB
• “Class B” – beer, wine & FMB
• Never distilled spirits
• $10.00 fee by statue
• Licensed operator must be
present
• Licensed premises must
be described
• Municipality may delegate
review and approval of
Temp licenses to staff
• License for duration of
event
• Less than 4 day events –
waiting period is a local
decision
• Event lasting 4 + days - 15
day waiting period
Application
State application form requires
basic information
Many municipalities require
additional information or
diagrams of serving area
Licensed area: Needs to be
defined narrowly, not as the
festival grounds
License Conditions
Conditions on temporary
licenses have the same
impact on a permanent
license.
Consequences of violation
should be made clear:
no license next year
no parks use
License Conditions
Sets municipal standards.
Can differ by venue or number of
people.
Conditions need not be limited to
alcohol serving, may also address
venue arrangement, security,
stage hours.
ACE Report Suggestions
1. Secure double perimeter with 7 ft.
gap between fences
2. Wrist bands & hand stamps
3. BAC limit of .04 for all servers
4. 12oz or smaller translucent cups
5. Stop serving alcohol 60 minutes
before closing
6. Require food or food vendors in
serving area
7. Nonalcoholic beverages costing less
than alcohol
8. NO ONE under age 21 served
Other Permits
When an event disturbs the
public peace or space
permits or citations follow:
• Park Use Permit
• Street Use Permit
• Amplified Music Permit
• Event Permit
Municipal Festival/Event Manuals
Municipal Requirements :
Requirements for trash, sanitation, alcohol
Contact information for municipal employees
Event Policies:
Timeline for planning, operation of contests,
alcohol control policy
Topics for a Operations Manual
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wholesaler & relationship
Volunteer roles & responsibilities
Volunteer training & training personnel
ID signs and educational material
Set up of selling area – perimeter, ID check
When to refuse alcohol
How to handle security or medical emergency
Incident log
Underage Drinking:
Limit Access to Alcohol
Secure perimeter, preferably double
perimeter
– One entrance, one exit – both staffed by
security
– Limit entry to 21+ or 21+ after specific time
– Uniformed security in serving area
– Individuals 21+ receive wrist band & hand
stamp
• Stamp changes daily
• ID’s checked by uniformed police or trained
individuals
Limit Underage Drinking &
Binge Drinking
Serve in translucent cups or cans
Limit multiple purchases
No pitchers, buckets or growlers
Cans vs. Cups
• Measured amount
• Higher cost
• Cans are not preferred by many beer drinkers
Offer Alternatives
to Beer
• FREE water
• Soda
• Food within
perimeter
• Sanitation within
perimeter
Sober Servers
Servers can’t drink on the job.
Servers can’t be impaired.
Local ordinance may not apply
to volunteer servers or applies
only to licensed operators.
License condition applies to all
servers.
Implementing Results
Be transparent
Share collection method, times
Approach with right attitude
Make a great event better
Follow-up
Provide follow up and TA
Seek license conditions
Where do you start?
La Crosse Festival Assessment:
mark improvements
make comparisons
Groups can use:
planning checklists
set organizational
standards
Organizational Change
Most effective to have
change come from within
the group.
Change from the group
leadership can be effective.
Outsiders telling group what
to do is often ineffective.
A Public Debate is Good!
A robust public discussion advances community
readiness for alcohol policies.
Insert your group’s contact information here
For additional information visit:
http://law.wisc.edu/wapp
Or contact the
Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project
University of Wisconsin Law School
julia.sherman@wisc.edu
608-262-0370