Palmetto OKs 'beer zone' for Bradenton Area River Regatta
PALMETTO -- In a quiet consent agenda vote, Palmetto city officials on Monday unanimously approved a request from the Hernando Desoto Historical Society to operate a "beer zone" for the Feb. 6 Bradenton Area River Regatta.
City officials long debated the merits of a beer zone at an event marketed as a free family event and begrudgingly said they would only support one if it was held on private property such as the Riverhouse Reef & Grill. However, the special function permit approval will allow for the sale of beer and wine on city property at Riverside Park East, just east of the Green Bridge off of Eighth Avenue West.
Since the Desoto group first signed on with ISM-USA, the regatta organizer, the beer zone idea was floated, became a little sudsy and then sank to the bottom of an empty glass. But Monday's vote to refill the beer and wine idea solidified a secure area for regatta goers to find a cold brew.
Those attending the beer zone will not be allowed to leave the area with alcohol. The beer zone will open at 11 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Bradenton has balked at the idea because of the regatta's family friendly image, but did allow beer sales away from the regatta and Riverwalk area. Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said at the end of last year's regatta that there would be no discussions of an on-site area for the sale of alcohol and there has been none.
The Desoto group will have a 40-by-60-foot tent set up within a fenced perimeter. Those entering and exiting the beer zone will be monitored at a single entrance.
City officials also approved a special event permit for ISM-USA to rent the Palmetto fishing pier and Riverside Park West at no cost. The Palmetto fishing pier is expected to be the site of the Kids Zone and Desoto Youth Fishing Tournament. Riverside Park West boat ramp will be used as the Formula 2 dry dock and staging area. In the park, XPOGO competitions will take place near 12 food and nonprofit vendors. There will also be about a dozen portable restrooms.
Mike Fetchko, ISM-USA president and event organizer requested no-cost rentals for the city properties and that request was granted.
"Given that we are basically helping to facilitate the event, I would say the fees would be automatically waived as we have done for others," said Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, who received no objections from the commission in a second unanimous vote.
Contemporary Christian star Brandon Heath will headline the Palmetto concert near Regatta Pointe while America's No. 1 Beatles tribute band, Beatlemania Now will play at the Riverwalk's main stage. The regatta, as well as the concerts are free. The regatta is expected to see even more racing on the water this year featuring the top 12 drivers from around the country in the Powerboat Super League series opener. The Florida Winter Hydrocross Championship will field about 35 professional jet skiers and Zambelli International Fireworks is finalizing the regatta's closing show.
Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.
This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 9:03 PM with the headline "Palmetto OKs 'beer zone' for Bradenton Area River Regatta."