HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair board approved moving ahead with legislation that would give the fair more control over alcohol sales during the event. It would also allow for all alcohol sales tax to go into the fair coffers, much like the sales tax bill approved two years ago.
The proposed resolution would allow the fair to expand where beer could be consumed on the grounds. General Manager Robin Jennison says the board has some mixed feelings about where such beverages could be taken by patrons.
“What that legislation does is just kind of put it in control of the board’s hands,” Jennison said. “ There are a number of board members that think that there are areas of the fairgrounds that we should not have alcohol in.”
Such areas would include youth exhibits or areas with sensitive projects, like the domestic arts building. Most buildings already prohibit food or beverages inside anyway.
The big question then centers around liability and keeping beer out of the hands of minors. Certainly, the vendors will need to have their say in this.
“All the beer vendors are responsible if there is a violation,” Jennison said. “If we do this, it’s going to have to be something that when someone buys a beer they’re going to have to get a wristband.”
Jennison says the proposed legislation will be looked over before a decision is made sometime early next year.
“The next course of action is to see what our vendors think and take suggestions for it. Then show it to the Department of Revenue and see if they have any suggestions for it,” Jennison said. “Then at our January board meeting, based on that, the board will decide to move forward with it or not.”
Currently, beer is allowed in the grandstands and in designated enclosed areas.