MONROE - Open containers during Green County Cheese Days will be allowed to travel a bit farther than in previous years.
The Monroe Common Council on Tuesday approved the request from the Cheese Days board that was endorsed by the Police Chief Fred Kelley.
Beginning Sept. 16, the special event area where plastic containers of beer or wine will be permitted will include the downtown Square; the 1500 block of 10th Street; along 16th Avenue from 10th Street down to the half point of the 1200 block; and along 17th Avenue from 9th Street down to Turner Hall. Previously, open containers of beer and wine were only permitted on the Square.
Kelley said the change was practical for the celebration, which spreads throughout the downtown area. With a music festival at the Minhas Brewery and a celebration hosted by Turner Hall, he said it made sense to allow alcoholic beverages in the area.
During the last celebration, the police chief said he was dedicating a number of officers at the ends of the Square on 16th and 17th avenues to keep drinks out of the non-permitted area. This way, the police will be able to monitor Cheese Days more freely.
The open container area will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 a.m. on the Friday and Saturday of the event. On Sunday, it will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. There will be barriers indicating where alcoholic beverages are allowed to be taken, with what Kelley said will give notice regarding the limits of the area.
Council members voted 6-1 in a voice vote. Aldermen Chris Beer and Richard Thoman were absent. Alderman Charles Koch voted against the measure.
The Monroe Common Council on Tuesday approved the request from the Cheese Days board that was endorsed by the Police Chief Fred Kelley.
Beginning Sept. 16, the special event area where plastic containers of beer or wine will be permitted will include the downtown Square; the 1500 block of 10th Street; along 16th Avenue from 10th Street down to the half point of the 1200 block; and along 17th Avenue from 9th Street down to Turner Hall. Previously, open containers of beer and wine were only permitted on the Square.
Kelley said the change was practical for the celebration, which spreads throughout the downtown area. With a music festival at the Minhas Brewery and a celebration hosted by Turner Hall, he said it made sense to allow alcoholic beverages in the area.
During the last celebration, the police chief said he was dedicating a number of officers at the ends of the Square on 16th and 17th avenues to keep drinks out of the non-permitted area. This way, the police will be able to monitor Cheese Days more freely.
The open container area will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 a.m. on the Friday and Saturday of the event. On Sunday, it will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. There will be barriers indicating where alcoholic beverages are allowed to be taken, with what Kelley said will give notice regarding the limits of the area.
Council members voted 6-1 in a voice vote. Aldermen Chris Beer and Richard Thoman were absent. Alderman Charles Koch voted against the measure.