MONROE - Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said he saw no problems with alcohol on the Square during Cheese Days.
For the first time in Cheese Days history, Monroe allowed wine and beer to be taken on the Square. The reason for the change was to alleviate some of the congestion in bars downtown during the festival.
Kelley said there were cases in which people took alcohol out of the designated area but the problems were quickly resolved.
People who took containers off the Square area did so because they didn't see the signs or did so inadvertently, and when told by police to pour out their glasses they complied without any problems, Kelley said.
"We warned them that they couldn't have alcohol beyond the barricades and it was taken care of immediately," he said.
The fine of almost $250 for having alcohol outside of the Square probably served as a deterrent, he added. No tickets were issued for drinking outside of the designated area during the three-day event.
Kelley said no one got out of control during Cheese Days and even though there was a fight reported at a bar about 10:15 p.m. Friday, that is something that could happen any time and didn't happen necessarily because it was Cheese Days.
There were other crimes in Monroe over the weekend, such as a couple instances of drunken driving, but, again, he stressed, those things happen regardless of Cheese Days or other festivals. The incidents didn't occur downtown, he added.
Kelley said the experiment of open containers was successful as far as he was concerned.
"From what I saw, bars on the Square weren't overcrowded," he said.
Kelley said there were positive comments from people who told him and others they appreciated the fact they could stand outside and drink rather than be in a crowded bar.
n n n
Cheese Days Coordinator Noreen Rueckert said this year's festival was a success.
"It's always hard to track attendance because we have no paid admission, but we had a phenomenal crowd," Rueckert said.
She said Saturday and Sunday both saw large crowds converge on the Square to take in festivities which included the well-attended Family Farm Adventure and arts and crafts fair.
Rueckert said the new kiddie tractor pull also drew a crowd. Rueckert said the event's organizer said at one point they had 150 kids pedal toy tractors in one hour.
Now planning gets under way for the next Cheese Days, to be held in 2010.
For the first time in Cheese Days history, Monroe allowed wine and beer to be taken on the Square. The reason for the change was to alleviate some of the congestion in bars downtown during the festival.
Kelley said there were cases in which people took alcohol out of the designated area but the problems were quickly resolved.
People who took containers off the Square area did so because they didn't see the signs or did so inadvertently, and when told by police to pour out their glasses they complied without any problems, Kelley said.
"We warned them that they couldn't have alcohol beyond the barricades and it was taken care of immediately," he said.
The fine of almost $250 for having alcohol outside of the Square probably served as a deterrent, he added. No tickets were issued for drinking outside of the designated area during the three-day event.
Kelley said no one got out of control during Cheese Days and even though there was a fight reported at a bar about 10:15 p.m. Friday, that is something that could happen any time and didn't happen necessarily because it was Cheese Days.
There were other crimes in Monroe over the weekend, such as a couple instances of drunken driving, but, again, he stressed, those things happen regardless of Cheese Days or other festivals. The incidents didn't occur downtown, he added.
Kelley said the experiment of open containers was successful as far as he was concerned.
"From what I saw, bars on the Square weren't overcrowded," he said.
Kelley said there were positive comments from people who told him and others they appreciated the fact they could stand outside and drink rather than be in a crowded bar.
n n n
Cheese Days Coordinator Noreen Rueckert said this year's festival was a success.
"It's always hard to track attendance because we have no paid admission, but we had a phenomenal crowd," Rueckert said.
She said Saturday and Sunday both saw large crowds converge on the Square to take in festivities which included the well-attended Family Farm Adventure and arts and crafts fair.
Rueckert said the new kiddie tractor pull also drew a crowd. Rueckert said the event's organizer said at one point they had 150 kids pedal toy tractors in one hour.
Now planning gets under way for the next Cheese Days, to be held in 2010.