News Update
Flower Mound: PALS OK's alcohol sale at festival
By Chris Roark/Staff Writer
The town will try again to have its Wild About Flower Mound festival in 2009.
And just like last year, the majority of the Parks, Arts and Library Services (PALS) board has recommended the sale and consumption of alcohol at the event.
The board’s 6-2 vote Thursday would allow, with town council approval, beer and wine to be sold and consumed at the event, which will take place at Bakersfield Park on a date to be determined.
The 2008 event was scheduled for May 9-10 but was canceled because of lack of sponsorships and a heavy financial burden on the town.
Both years, members of the PALS board liked the idea of selling alcohol at the event in part because of the financial impact it would have. Chuck Jennings, the town’s recreation supervisor, said about 20 percent of the money from alcohol sales go back to the town.
Board members Jim Emerich, who voted against the proposal last year, and John Thomas, voted against it Thursday.
“I’m against having alcohol in front of the kids,” Emerich said. “You get bombarded with that stuff on TV. I don’t feel good about it at all.”
Though the festival is proposed to coincide with youth games at Bakersfield Park to help spark interest, there will be safeguards in place, said parks and recreation director Jack Jones.
“It’s going to be typical of other festivals where the alcohol has to be sold and consumed in a fenced-in area,” Jones said. “People won’t be able to take the alcohol in the area, and they can’t leave with it. By having it fenced in, there will be security at the gates, so people can’t take it into the games.”
The town began discussing an idea for a signature event with the chamber in 2007. The idea was to give Flower Mound what some other neighboring cities already have, such as GrapeFest in Grapevine and Taste of Addison in Addison.
Flower Mound has had festivals in the past. In 2003 and 2004, it hosted the Wildflower Festival, and in 2005 organized the Texas Music Festival.
The board also voted unanimously to recommend to town council a facility use agreement to allow Lakeside Aquatics Club and the Spirit of Flower Mound Special Olympics team to use the Community Activity Center.
While the vote was unanimous, some board members cautioned about renting out too much of the CAC, which they feared would be an inconvenience to paying members.
Jones said the town will be careful not to allow agreements like this to be an inconvenience.
“Our No. 1 goal is to take care of people who have paid a membership fee,” Jones said.
The board also tabled a vote to allow Cathy Tuzinski to host a fundraising activity for the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the CAC. Board members wanted more time to discuss legal issues with the town attorney to help make distinctions between that fundraiser and other requests that may come in the future.
The board also discussed creating a subcommittee to look into the specifics of including art work in public places around town.
And just like last year, the majority of the Parks, Arts and Library Services (PALS) board has recommended the sale and consumption of alcohol at the event.
The board’s 6-2 vote Thursday would allow, with town council approval, beer and wine to be sold and consumed at the event, which will take place at Bakersfield Park on a date to be determined.
The 2008 event was scheduled for May 9-10 but was canceled because of lack of sponsorships and a heavy financial burden on the town.
Both years, members of the PALS board liked the idea of selling alcohol at the event in part because of the financial impact it would have. Chuck Jennings, the town’s recreation supervisor, said about 20 percent of the money from alcohol sales go back to the town.
Board members Jim Emerich, who voted against the proposal last year, and John Thomas, voted against it Thursday.
“I’m against having alcohol in front of the kids,” Emerich said. “You get bombarded with that stuff on TV. I don’t feel good about it at all.”
Though the festival is proposed to coincide with youth games at Bakersfield Park to help spark interest, there will be safeguards in place, said parks and recreation director Jack Jones.
“It’s going to be typical of other festivals where the alcohol has to be sold and consumed in a fenced-in area,” Jones said. “People won’t be able to take the alcohol in the area, and they can’t leave with it. By having it fenced in, there will be security at the gates, so people can’t take it into the games.”
The town began discussing an idea for a signature event with the chamber in 2007. The idea was to give Flower Mound what some other neighboring cities already have, such as GrapeFest in Grapevine and Taste of Addison in Addison.
Flower Mound has had festivals in the past. In 2003 and 2004, it hosted the Wildflower Festival, and in 2005 organized the Texas Music Festival.
The board also voted unanimously to recommend to town council a facility use agreement to allow Lakeside Aquatics Club and the Spirit of Flower Mound Special Olympics team to use the Community Activity Center.
While the vote was unanimous, some board members cautioned about renting out too much of the CAC, which they feared would be an inconvenience to paying members.
Jones said the town will be careful not to allow agreements like this to be an inconvenience.
“Our No. 1 goal is to take care of people who have paid a membership fee,” Jones said.
The board also tabled a vote to allow Cathy Tuzinski to host a fundraising activity for the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the CAC. Board members wanted more time to discuss legal issues with the town attorney to help make distinctions between that fundraiser and other requests that may come in the future.
The board also discussed creating a subcommittee to look into the specifics of including art work in public places around town.
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