A bill authored by Rep. Leon Young (D-Milwaukee) that would allow concertgoers of popular Milwaukee events such as Jazz in the Park and River Rhythms to legally carry-in beverage has been approved by the State Senate.
Current state law makes the practice of carrying beverages illegal because the festival organizers hold Class B liquor licenses. The new legislation would give festival organizers the authority to create their own carry-in beverage policies.
Prior to last summer's festival season, organizers of Jazz in the Park have allowed patrons to carry in their own alcoholic beverages without incident. However, The East Town Association was notified that this practice was illegal. In addition, the Milwaukee Police Department has not been clear on it will enforce that law, according to festival organizers.
"Jazz in the Park and River Rhythms are fantastic events that bring our community together," Young said. "The confusion surrounding carry-in beverages is unfortunate, and I applaud my colleagues on taking the necessary step to rectify it."
The legislation would create an exemption for Jazz in the Park and any other events and festivals if the licenses premises are in a park within a first-class city.
"Organizers of our many popular festivals here in Milwaukee know what works for their events," Young said. "Their careful and thoughtful planning allowed these events to continue incident free for years. We should allow them to decide whether patrons can carry-in alcoholic beverages."
The bill was passed out of the State Assembly last summer and now awaits to be signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle.
State Senate passes liquor exception for Milwaukee's Jazz in the Park
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