Alcohol Restrictions At Community Events

Summary

The availability of alcohol at community events (such as concerts, county fairs, street fairs and sporting events) increases convenient and public access to alcohol. Convenient access to alcohol is associated with an increase in alcohol-related problems. Local policies can be developed to restrict the availability of alcohol at these events. Such restrictions can be implemented voluntarily by event organizers, or through local legislation. Alcohol restrictions at community events can range from a total ban on alcohol consumption to the posting of warning signs that detail the risks associated with consuming alcohol. It is important to note that research shows that the greater the number of alcohol control policies in place, the less the likelihood of alcohol sales to underage customers and over consumption.

As with all strategies that focus on policy change, enforcement should always be considered as a critical, parallel strategy. Effective deterrence increases the perception that those who violate the policy will be held accountable. This increases the probability that policy change will result in desired outcomes.

Core Components

Dosage

At least 50% of all community events that allow alcohol to be served within the community will have at least one alcohol-related policy change by the end of the project period.

Required Key Steps

All policies developed or strengthened through this strategy must be formally written, signed by the community event leadership and kept on file at the contracted agency as documentation. Contact the Agency Project Director/Coordinator for additional grant requirements about this documentation.

Assessment of Community Events:

• Develop thorough understanding of local zoning laws and policies and how they relate to alcohol service at community events.
• In collaboration with the coalition and community partners, review all community events in which alcohol is served and will happen in the community during the fiscal year.
  • Document the titles and dates of each community event that occurs.
  • Discuss how each event is supported and note the contact information for the Event Coordinator and/or Event Board.
  • Create a schedule of when to meet with the Event Coordinator and/or Event Board to discuss the strategy and use of the Project SAFER Community Event Assessment Form.
• Utilize the Project SAFER Community Event Assessment form at each community event where alcohol is served.
  • After meeting with the Event Coordinator and/or Event Board, create a plan with the coalition members outlining who will complete each assessment and the timeframes.
  • Implement the Project SAFER assessment tool with each community event.
  • Tabulate assessment results.
• Discuss assessment results with the coalition.
  • Create a plan to approach each Event Coordinator and/or Event Board with assessment results and suggested next steps.
  • Discuss the strengths, weaknesses and enforcement of existing alcohol policies for each event.
• Meet with each Event Coordinator and/or Event Board to share assessment results and next steps.
  • Utilize the Festival Planner Checklist to discuss policy change or development.
    • Remind event leadership that having well-trained servers/volunteers who serve alcohol and adhering to alcohol enforcement strategies may reduce legal and civil liabilities.
  • Discuss follow-up plans including policy development technical assistance and/or additional meetings needed.

Policy Development

• Develop or utilize existing materials to document that event staff (both paid and voluntary), are aware of event policies and are trained to comply with these policies.
• Develop or strengthen local ordinances or policies that restrict alcohol availability at community events which may include:
  • Restrict the number of servings per person.
  • Enforcement of policy and regulation changes at community events.
  • Restrict special designated licenses (SDLs): Restricts the licenses to events sponsored by nonprofit, religious or charitable organizations or by existing liquor license holders.
  • Require that all alcohol served at the event be bought and consumed within a specifically designated area which only persons of legal drinking age may enter.
  • Require that licensees have a written policy saying how intoxicated drinkers will be handled.
  • Require that all servers attend Responsible Beverage Service Training (the Training for Intervention Procedures for Concessions three-hour class should be utilized);
  • Adopt an “employment of minors” ordinance.
  • Restrict hours of sale: Alcohol sales can be discontinued before an event is over, giving patrons time between their last drink and driving home. For example, alcohol sales can be discontinued at the end of the third quarter of a football game.
  • Requiring sales of food and nonalcoholic during sales and after alcohol sales are cut off.
  • Require posting of alcohol warning signs (this component must be connected to policy change).
  • Require all persons 21 or older to wear non-transferable wristbands.
  • Require alcohol-free areas.
  • Prohibit people from leaving with alcohol.
  • Require distinguishable cups for alcohol.
  • Require security staff.
  • Restrictions on noise levels.
  • Restrictions on general location of event.
  • Restrictions on location of alcohol sales or places of consumption (such as beer gardens).
  • Restrictions on quantity of sales.
  • Restrictions on size of containers.
  • Restrictions on sale to intoxicated patrons.
  • Ban the sale of alcohol at events and location popular with youth.
  • Prohibit alcohol sponsorship for community events.

Capacity Building
Create a capacity building plan to continually engage strategy stakeholders. Some ideas include:

• Build support for this strategy from community members and law enforcement.
  • Focus on how unrestricted sales of alcohol at community events can lead to alcohol- related problems.
  • Provide regular face-to-face visits to promote the strategy and educate Event Coordinators or Event Boards about strengthening alcohol policies
  • Many Event Coordinators and/or Event Boards are volunteers who turnover every year or only meet for a short time frame to plan an event. It is important that communities work quickly and consistently to engage these groups so strategy momentum can continue.
  • Find community events in the county or in a neighboring county with strong alcohol policies in place and share contact information/details about their policies with Event Coordinators or Event Boards.
• Deliver helpful materials related to not serving or selling to those under 21 years of age.
• Connect the Event Coordinator or Event Board to a community organization that can provide Responsible Beverage Service Training for community event servers and volunteers.
• Recruit an Event Coordinator or Event Board member to serve on the coalition or help be a champion for the strategy in the community.

Implementation Materials
Alcohol Restrictions at Community Events
Alcohol Sales & Community Events Community Action Kit
Community Festivals Materials
Preventing Underage Drinking: Using Getting to Outcomes with the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework to Achieve Results
Project SAFER Community Event Assessment Form
Festival Planner Checklist Planner Checklist

References

Bormann, C. A., & Stone, M. H. (2001). The effects of eliminating alcohol in a college stadium: The Folsom Field beer ban. Journal of American College Health, 50(2), 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448480109596011

Toomey, T. L., Erickson, D. J., Patrek, W., Fletcher, L. A., & Wagenaar, A. C. (2005). Illegal alcohol sales and use of alcohol control policies at community festivals. Public Health Reports, 120(2), 165-173. https://doi.org/10.1177/003335490512000210