Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Could some festivals and other events in Lake Worth be at risk in the future of losing the ability to sell alcohol?

[UPDATE: Still don't have the definitive answer but did receive some interesting comments. When I learn more will let everyone know.]

I called someone who is very knowledgeable about the subject of alcohol sales, festivals, etc. and the answer I got was, "I'm not sure." But it's a question that needs to be answered since the bill changing alcohol sales in Florida is moving through the process in Tallahassee.

Festivals like the City's Street Painting Festival and others to some degree need alcohol sales to cover expenses. What those numbers/percentages are I have no idea. In today's Palm Beach Post is an article that deals primarily with Brightline (formerly All Aboard Florida) and a state bill that would restrict local governments like West Palm Beach from interfering in alcohol sales at the Brighline rail station now under construction. The report by Jennifer Sorentrue is very interesting and contains a lot of good information. The article also appears in today's print edition (page A6).

The second paragraph from the bottom in the article raises a lot of questions:
The legislation would also allow the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to issue temporary alcoholic beverage permits to cities, towns and counties. Each government would be limited to three 3-day licenses a year. [emphasis added]
If anyone can clear this up and clarify exactly what this means to local governments and future festivals please email me. My email address is in the right-hand column of this blog. 

Thank you, Wes.