Xenia council approves alcohol at select events

Xenia City Council has approved allowing alcohol to be served at select city-sponsored events.

City ordinances prohibited the sales and consumption of alcohol on all city property, which includes parks, rights of way, and city facilities. However, the council has received multiple requests from organizers of both the Xenia Community Festival and the Tour de Xenia bike race to allow alcohol. While limited to beer and wine, the requests have been approved.

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City Manager Brent Merriman has not received any confirmation that the Tour de Xenia bike race, which historically takes place in May, will be happening. Merriman also has indicated the festival committee has not confirmed plans to pursue a beer garden.

According to city documents, sales and consumption would be limited to a cordoned-off area, and security would be provided. Event organizers must obtain proper permits from the state’s department of liquor control and carry insurance as well. A $125 administrative fee is a must for any application.

Other highlights of the policy include:

• No glass containers will be used and the type and size of the container must be approved by the city manager, who also reserves the right to dictate the type and size.

• Sales are to be cut off one hour before the event ends.

• The application must carry a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance.

• The city can revoke the permit at any time during the event if it feels it would be in the best interest of the city.

If the festival committee pursues a beer garden, it would be located at Shawnee Park’s southeast corner, about as far away as possible from the rides and kids areas of the festival.

“The intent was to create an open-space area to segregate the beer garden and the rest of the festival,” Merriman said.

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