Mayor and Liquor Commissioner Deborah Frank Feinen has designated parts of Downtown Champaign as a Festival District from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019. Customers of participating restaurants and bars will be able to purchase and take open containers of alcohol from the licensed premises for consumption on public property located within the boundaries of the Festival District. This designation coincides with the first Friday Night Live event of the year.
Downtown establishments electing to participate in this event will provide wristbands and serve alcoholic beverages in paper or plastic “to-go” cups to those customers who wish to enjoy the live music and consume alcohol on public property within the Festival District. Participants must purchase alcohol from a participating establishment and wear an official wristband in order to have open containers of alcohol on the public right-of-way. Residents are not allowed to bring alcohol purchased elsewhere into the Downtown Festival District. The boundaries of the Festival District will be delineated with signs and are shown on the map below.
“In the past few years the City has received numerous requests from residents who want to responsibly consume alcohol while enjoying community festivals and public events in Downtown Champaign,” reports Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. “When the City Council updated the City’s liquor ordinance last summer, we included the ability to designate a Downtown Festival District to accommodate those who want to enjoy a cocktail while standing on the sidewalk and listening to music and socializing. I hope the Festival District will only enhance the experience of our residents and visitors as they enjoy a great night in Champaign’s vibrant downtown.”
Section 5-62.2 of the City’s Liquor Ordinance allows the Liquor Commissioner to designate a Downtown Festival District and outlines the rules that participating establishments and customers must follow. More information about the Downtown Festival District, including a map and frequently asked questions are available on the City’s website: champaignil.gov/DowntownFestivalDistrict.
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Contact: Matt Roeschley | 217-403-8710 | [email protected]