Cross Plains board approves Oktoberfest and Christkindl Mart permits after public safety questions

The Village of Cross Plains board on Wednesday approved a special-event permit for an Oktoberfest set for Oct. 4 at the American Legion and a vendor-focused Christkindl Mart planned for December at Zander Park after a lengthy discussion about public safety, parking, alcohol control and insurance. Rachel Adams, the resident proposing both events, told the board she expects about 1,200 people at Oktoberfest and about 1,000 attendees over the weekend for Christkindl Mart; both events will include food trucks and vendors.

Public-safety leaders said the events were feasible but urged clearer, fixed plans. The police chief and EMS spoke about the need for a final site map and a commitment that the layout would not change after first responders finalize their plans. The police chief flagged noise from large bands, crowd control and parking congestion as the main concerns and asked for a promise from the organizer that the layout would be locked so emergency planning would not have to change repeatedly.

Adams said she would finalize maps and post them publicly, add barricades at food-truck locations and provide volunteer staff at barricades to allow resident vehicle access. Parks staff noted requests for village picnic tables and trash cans, and agreed to provide typical equipment where feasible; the application was amended to indicate picnic tables will be provided. Adams said food trucks will be parked in the park and vendors will use additional lots; she is coordinating parking maps that will direct attendees to several public lots and nearby sites and said vendor drivers would be instructed not to leave their vendor vehicles during the event to avoid blocked driveways.

On alcohol control, the board and police asked how underage drinking would be prevented if the beer garden is not a fenced, controlled tent. Adams said the American Legion (the private property operator) will serve alcohol under their license and that the Legion and its vendors will handle ID checks; the chief recommended visible identifiers such as wristbands or stamps so enforcement is straightforward. The chief emphasized that servers still have legal responsibility under state law not to serve underage people and asked that a recognizable marking system be used so officers can quickly identify patrons 21 and older.

Public works and parks staff recommended additional portable toilets and confirmed Legion restroom access; Adams said she will increase porta-potty counts from earlier plans after discussion with staff. Board members also asked that organizers provide a plan for signage and direct mail or door-hanger notification to nearby residents several days in advance so people know about parking impacts.

Both permits were approved after trustees moved and seconded motions to approve the Oktoberfest and to approve the Christkindl Mart with a requirement that organizers provide the vendors' proof of insurance naming the village as additional insured. The board instructed Adams to provide finalized maps and a schedule to the village and to work with police and EMS at the meeting scheduled for noon the next day to finalize public-safety details.

The votes were recorded as affirmative; no formal amendments were added beyond insurance and map commitments.