Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
MARSHALL COUNTY — The Plymouth Common Council approved Ordinance No. 2022-2193 An Ordinance to Amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plymouth Concerning Alcoholic Beverages During Blueberry Festival on the first read to accommodate the organization’s need to innovate fund raising options.
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival is one of Indiana’s largest festivals. It is held Labor Day Weekend every year in the heart of Marshall County in Centennial Park, Plymouth.
Duane Culp, member of the Common Council and President of the Marshall County Blueberry Festival approached the council. COVID-19 had a tremendous financial impact on the organization in 2020. “We looked for ways to get things moving in a forward direction.”
Representatives of the organization had already met with the City of Plymouth Park Department to discuss removing the portion of the contract that prohibited alcohol for the event.
There is an additional ordinance at the City of Plymouth level prohibiting alcohol in the park during the Blueberry Festival.
Culp explained that a highly regulated beer garden would be within a fenced in area. “No one, absolutely no one will leave that fenced in area during their consumption of any alcohol. The alcohol will be regulated. It will not be allowed to go in to the park.”
Culp emphasized that no one will be allowed to consume to intoxication. Security will be provided by law enforcement to ensure that no one will be intoxicated. “If anybody violates any of those rules that we set out, they will be removed from the park. Better yet, if they get completely out of control they will go to jail. I just want this more to be able to allow us to show you that we can handle it. It will not be any type of out of control party. That’s not what we’re after.”
According to Culp, the gentleman that is being sought to facilitate the Beer Garden oversees 300 events annually including the Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana.
According to Culp, he and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ryan Hollopeter are willing to seek counsel on best practices through interaction with other festival coordinators and facilitators. “It’s going to be a learning experience for all of us. But I think if we keep it safe, and for lack of better terms corralled, I think that if you give the Marshall County Blueberry Festival an opportunity to prove themselves, I feel that we can prove to you that we can make it safe.”
Common Council member Greg Compton asked if the request was to make a permanent change. Culp confirmed that the request is for a permanent change in the Ordinance.
Several non-profit organizations and the Plymouth Community School Corporation rely on financial support generated from the festival every year. Culp said that the festival experienced an almost six-digit financial hit from COVID-19. Compton expressed reluctance to authorize a beer garden to solve the financial hardship issue suggesting that other potential changes should be evaluated.
Culp noted that over 100 law enforcement officers from local and regional agencies join forces to ensure a safe festival every year. “I’m just asking for an opportunity or a chance to prove ourselves.”
City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter noted that alcohol is allowed at the Mayor’s Month of Music every August. The annual Brew Fest is also held at River Park Square. With regulations, monitoring and adhering to compliance, alcohol consumption has been safely allowed at other events in Plymouth throughout the year.
Vice President of Marshall County Blueberry Festival Rick Vancza also approached the Common Council to entreat their support noting that the organization is trying to create and maintain a sustainable, successful festival for upcoming generations.
Common Council Member Bill Walters, a former member of the Marshall County Blueberry Festival Board of Directors and a former member of the Indiana State Festival Association. “From my experience as President of the Blueberry Festival, from my experience with the Festival Association, if Marshall County Blueberry Festival decides to do something, they are going to do it right. There’s not going to be a problem. If there is a problem, it will be handled.” He noted that the Blueberry Festival provides robust security and a strong recycling effort keeping nature in mind.
