Lions Club to have beer tent at Fourth of July celebration
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By Carmen Ensinger
In an effort to raise funds, the White Hall Lions Club will have a beer tent at Lions Park during this year’s Fourth of July celebration.
White Hall City Council approved a special liquor license for the Lions Club at their May 13 city council meeting.
“The White Hall Lions Club would like to have a beer tent this year to try to raise revenue to cover expenses for this year’s event,” Alderman Todd Pinkerton-Riegel said. “Getting the event back to the Fourth of July has cost the Lions Club additional funds and they are looking for ways to offset those expenses.”
Alderwoman Pam VanMeter said she thought that alcohol could not be served at Lions Park due to their bylaws.
Alderman Ron Gilmore, who is a member of the Lions Club, as is Pinkerton-Riegel said that isn’t the case anymore.
“It used to be that way for many, many years,” he said. “But a few years ago, we amended it to allow for the serving of alcohol on the grounds. I think the Lions Club actually had a beer tent about three years ago.”
One thing the city was worried about with the serving of alcohol is who would be liable for any accidents or injuries which might occur.
Gilmore said all of the liability would be on the Lions Club and that they did have insurance for such occurrences.
The Lions Club Fourth of July celebration has gone through a number of changes over the years. From moving it to Whiteside Park to out at the Rez, the Lions Club has been seeking to make the event more enjoyable and profitable.
One year, due to the inability to obtain a carnival on the Fourth of July, the event was moved up a week. Apparently this caused a problem because many family members who no longer live in the area, make plans to come down on the Fourth of July just to attend this event.
Therefore, the Lions Club chose to move the event back to the Fourth of July. However, obtaining one of the few carnivals still in operation during this very popular holiday is costing them a lot more than before.
It is hoped the sale of beer from the beer tent will help to offset some of these extra expenses. The three-day special permit for the sale of alcohol costs only $25.
