Organizers of the Four States Ag Expo are looking to boost revenues with limited beer sales.
The event began in 1981 and has a history of being alcohol-free, but adding a beer tent or two will improve the budget and allow for more events, reported Ag Expo officials Radiance Beals and Shay Allred during a pitch to the Montezuma County commission.
“We know it would be a big change, but we think it’s worth a try, and if it doesn’t work out we’ll nix it,” Allred said. “We’ve heard support for the idea.”
Safety would be paramount if the plan is approved, Allred said. Servers would be certified, and only beer would be sold, no hard alcohol.
Additional security would be in place, and the Ag Expo would help cover costs of more sheriff personnel at the event. Ag Expo security and sheriff deputies would monitor sales and check drivers of departing vehicles.
Also, any areas of beer sales and consumption would be kept away from youth events.
The commissioners were cautiously supportive, but only if the sales and consumption were contained in one or two areas. All three were opposed to opening the majority of the Ag Expo event grounds for alcohol consumption.
“I’m reticent to the idea of people walking around with a beer in hand because there are a lot of children at the event,” said commissioner Keenan Ertel. “If you want to have a beer, have that available in a controlled space set up for that.”
The two possible locations discussed were at the outdoor arena and the indoor arena. A liquor license would be required, and it was suggested that sales would be from noon to 5 or 6 p.m.
Supporters of beer sales point out the Ag Expo attracts industry clientele and is geared toward professional seminars, and education.
“The additional revenues would help improve the expo, and expand the educational seminars and events,” Beals said.
Last year, 8,000 people attended, and if just a portion of the adults bought a beer, earned revenues could jump by the thousands of dollars.
The commissioners requested that vendors be polled on the idea, and the results be reported back to them. The issue will be revisited and voted on later this month.
The 35th annual Four States Ag Expo is March 17, 18, and 19, and the theme is American Roots.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
