MONROE - While alcohol will be permitted on the Square during Cheese Days, people need to remember that doesn't mean it can be taken throughout downtown.

For the first time in the 90-plus years of Cheese Days, there will be a beer stand on the northeast corner of the Square. Sales will be of beer and wine only. The containers have to be plastic.

The city will also relax the open container ordinance for the Square from noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The person with the beer or wine has to be at least 21 years old.

Hours of operation for open containers on the Square is from noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Police Chief Fred Kelley said the reason the city allowed open containers on the Square was to alleviate overcrowding in bars. People can leave a tavern with an open container of alcohol as long as it's not a mixed drink, Kelley said.

Alcohol is allowed only on the downtown Square.

Alcohol is still prohibited on any other public street, sidewalk, alley, public way or area outside of the public use.

Kelley said the city's ordinance against alcohol in public will be enforced and people will be given a citation of about $249.