Beer garden OK'd for 'Party on the Bricks'

By LORRI?SUGHROUE

City Editor

Extra security and a variety of precautions will be used at an outdoor beer garden the McCook Chamber of Commerce wants as part of their "Party on the Bricks" celebration, Pam Harsh told City Council members.

Harsh, executive director of the McCook Chamber of Commerce, along with Chris Hanson, of the 125th Celebration Committee, addressed the council in their request for the Special Designated Liquor License sought for May 5th event.

The council unanimously approved the request, although Councilmen Lonnie Anderson initially expressed reservations about the beer garden, to be located on C Street between Norris Avenue and West First. He cited possible problems arising and things "getting out of hand."

Harsh said she and the committee had the same concerns, which was why they took all the necessary steps to assure the success of the event. Any kind of trouble "is the last thing we want," she assured the council and estimated that up to 1,000 would be attending.

Councilman Aaron Kircher requested that one security person be assigned per 100 people, instead of the 200 the Chamber had planned per the Liquor Commission requirements. Harsh agreed this would be done.

In addition to Chamber event volunteers who will be serving as security personnel, the Chamber will also hire two McCook police officers to be on hand during the duration of the event. McCook Police Chief Ike Brown said the Chamber would reimburse the city for overtime pay.

The beer garden will be open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and will be completely enclosed with two rows of cattle panels, on the West end of C Street.

Anyone entering the beer garden would be checked for identification and given a wrist band, with only one entrance and exit available. Minors would not be allowed in and no alcohol could be taken out of the area.

Food vendors have agreed to come and a beer distributor will provide a 30-keg trailer along with cups, signage, wrist bands, etc. Chamber Board members would serve the beer, along with Mike's Hard Lemonade. Extra trash receptacles and three Porta-Potties will be available, with clean-up to begin immediately after the party, Hanson said.

Councilman Marty Conroy said he felt comfortable with the way the Chamber is organizing the beer garden, with the extra police staff patrolling the event and that it appeared similar to successful beer gardens other communities have hosted.

City Manager Kurt Fritsch commented that it was in the Chamber's best interest that the beer garden succeed so that other similar events could be planned in the future.

The Council also unanimously approved the Chamber's request to close West C Street from 12 p.m., to 1 a.m. for the "Party on the Bricks."