Alcohol and Public Events

During most public events, alcohol is limited to what you bring for yourself if it is allowed at all. In fact, in most locations, alcohol is prohibited and those wishing to have beer, wine, or hard liquor are left to indulge at home or in a bar. However, at an event such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Bay City, Michigan, the many people who line the streets tailgate or leave afterward to head to one of Bay City's many bars. This year, however, American Legion Post 18 of Bay City will be permitted to set up a beer tent towards the end of the parade route.

In making this decision, the city of Bay City sited the veterans group making money from the event as the reason for the decision. Bay City local government didn't want to prevent the American Legion from profiting from the event. However, this decision doesn't sit well with some residents.

As this announcement comes mere weeks after an underage drinking party was busted at the house of a prominent Bay City Public School board member. The critics of the St. Patrick's Day Parade decision believe that allowing alcohol at public events sends the wrong message to minors. They state that the endorsement of a beer tent at this prominent public event hurts families, encourages drinking to excess, and provides some very bad examples for children.

The entire controversy highlights a larger issue. Should alcohol be allowed on public property at all and what role should it serve, if any, at public events. In addition, is it a double standard to allow alcohol at private, pay to enter events (there are too many examples of these in Bay City to count, especially during the summer) and not allow charitable organizations such as the American Legion to benefit from the sale of alcohol at public events? These are serious questions that each local community needs to answer for itself.

Ultimately, it is up to adults to provide good role models for children, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol. However, there is also a role for the larger community. By adopting common sense rules and regulations, the community can discourage excess use of alcohol and alcohol use by minors. There is a very fine line to be walked and communities need to take the consequences of their decisions seriously.

There is a larger role for the community when it comes to preventing alcohol abuse and underage drinking; however, that does not mean that alcohol needs to be banned or relegated to bars, restaurants, and private residences. Use of alcohol at public events and private community events needs to be reviewed in order to ensure that the rules and regulations are fair and reasonable.