Council expands alcohol service at community events

Alcohol was not served at last year's Menifee Fall Festival, but this year's event, sponsored by the City of Menifee and Chamber of Commerce, will include a beer garden. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

The Menifee City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday night to establish a policy allowing alcohol at four major city-sponsored community events -- action that will prevent youth organizations from participating as volunteer help or performing in them.

Council member Lesa Sobek was the only dissenting vote as the council adopted the first of two options recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission. That commission was asked previously by the council to study and make a recommendation on the establishment of a policy regarding the serving of alcohol at city-sponsored events.

The issue first came up at the Aug. 17 City Council meeting when Sobek expressed concern about the City's decision to allow a beer garden at its Fall Festival Oct. 29 at Audie Murphy Ranch Sports Park. She argued that the presence of alcohol was not appropriate at an event that included children's trick or treating and costume contests. However, the council voted 4-1 to allow alcohol at the Fall Festival and to send the issue of alcohol at other city events to the Parks Commission.

Acting on that commission's recommendation, the council voted 4-1 again, this time adding three other annual community events to the list of events where alcohol will be allowed: A Music and Arts Festival planned for May; the annual Independence Day celebration; and summer concerts planned for July and August.

There was no alcohol served at last year's Fall Festival, in which Menifee 24/7 partnered with the City of Menifee. This year Menifee 24/7 pulled out of the partnership when the City made an agreement to partner with the Chamber of Commerce and bring in a beer garden.

As an alcohol-free alternative, Menifee 24/7 and RE/MAX Diamond are hosting the "Truck or Treat" HallowFest this Saturday, Oct. 22, at Wheatfield Park.

Kristen Spoon, associate editor for Menifee 24/7, argued during the meeting that the city's Fall Festival was hurting its reputation as a community event because youth groups have policies against participating in events where alcohol is present.

Council member John Denver disputed this, saying he recalled previous events where youth groups were present. Spoon argued that any young people in attendance were not allowed to work as volunteers or perform there.

Asked to clarify the issue, Community Services Director Robert Lennox said he does not know about specifics involving Menifee events, although he said it hasn't been an issue in other cities where he has worked.

However, several youth group representatives told Menifee 24/7 they would not be allowed to participate or perform in the Fall Festival because of strict policies prohibiting it. Paloma Valley High School principal Don Williamson said he cannot allow students to be involved in activities were alcohol is present. Athletic director Michael Pfeiffer repeated the same policy.

The same is true for the Boy Scouts of America, whose national policy states that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at activities operated by the BSA or "any activity involving participation of youth members."

A May 2015 event in which the Boy Scouts of America honored Distinguished Citizens of the Year in Menifee was an adults-only event. The scouts themselves were not allowed to be on site until the event was over because alcohol was served.

More than 100 members of the Paloma Valley NJROTC unit will serve as volunteer workers at Menifee HallowFest and a local Boy Scout troop will sponsor two booths. A dance group from Paloma Valley High will perform as well. None of these groups are allowed to participate in the Oct. 29 Fall Festival.