City council OKs request for open carry of alcohol at Ky. Bourbon Festival
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 11:45 p.m. — Visitors to the 2015 Kentucky Bourbon Festival will now be able to legally carry their favorite adult beverages outside the Spirit Garden and around the festival grounds.
Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin speaks to the city council at its meeting Tuesday night.
The Bardstown City Council unanimously approved the request to no longer restrict alcohol drinkers to the Spirit Garden area and allow them to take their drinks with them as they stroll the fenced-in areas of the festival.
Police Chief Rick McCubbin told the council that keeping drinkers confined to one area actually can create more problems, and spreading them out is a better way to handle it. “We don’t have a big issue with it,” he said.
While imbibers will be allowed to open carry their drinks, they won’t be allowed to take them outside the fenced festival area that includes the Spalding Hall lawn, or into the kids area behind City Hall.
The Gazette’s Facebook post live from the council meeting about the vote generated a numerous comments on both sides of the issue on the Gazette’s Facebook. Some readers believe that allowing alcohol drinkers to roam through the festival grounds will make the event less family friendly. Another suggested barring entrance to those under 21 years of age. Others voice support for the event, noting that open carrying alcohol has been common at other local festivals. Click here for comment or to read the comments on the Nelson County Gazette Facebook page.
STREET CONCERT EXPANDING. The council approved a request to expand the closure of North Third Street for the annual July Street Concert to include the block between Flaget and Broadway.
In a letter to Mayor John Royalty, Samantha Brady, the director of downtown development, said the move is necessary due to the concert’s popularity and ever-increasing crowds. The additional block will allow more room for concert-goers and activities.
The all-day concert — set for Saturday, July 11, 2015 — will also close Flaget Avenue between Second and Fourth Streets. The closures start at 2 p.m. and will last through midnight.
In other business, the council:
— gave final approval of zoning changes that will raise to seven feet the height of fences that can be built without permit, and to remove the requirement for a variance for a ramp or lift when needed to make a residence accessible to individuals with a disability.
— approved a new Master Services Agreement with NewGen Strategies and Solutions for consulting work related to the city’s electric utility.
— approved a 5k fun run on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, sponsored by the Bardstown City Schools and the Bardstown Fire Department to benefit the WHAS Crusade for Children.
— approved a $321,520 bid by CMS Quality Services to repair and repaint two 150,000 gallon and one 280,000 water tanks at the city’s water treatment plant on Boston Road.
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