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Pasco council narrowly approves beer garden at Memorial Park for Pride event
Summary
The Pasco City Council approved a one-time waiver allowing a fenced, staffed beer garden at the upcoming Pride event in Memorial Park, passing the waiver 4-3 after debate about family settings and public-safety safeguards.
The Pasco City Council voted 4-3 on June 16 to approve a limited liquor-use waiver allowing a fenced beer garden for a Pride event at Memorial Park.
Resolution 4616, requested under Pasco Municipal Code 9.40.02(e), authorizes a designated area for alcohol at the special event application (No. 44023). The motion was moved by Councilmember Milne and seconded by Councilmember Blaisdell and passed after a roll call.
Applicant Asia Martin, president of Tri Cities Bridal and the event organizer, described the event as having 87 vendors, nine food trucks, an inflatable kids area and multiple performers and asked the council to approve a beer garden so “responsible adults” could participate in a controlled setting. City staff told council the applicant complied with special-event and alcohol‑service requirements and had submitted insurance and a security plan.
The organizer confirmed insurance limits of $2,000,000 for liquor liability, a fenced area for consumption, Phoenix Security staffing and the caterer CG Public House providing two bartenders and on-site ID checks. Councilmember Blaisdell said she favored the waiver because she would “rather have a controlled environment” than unregulated drinking at a family event; Blaisdell noted the beer garden would be fenced and located away from the children’s area.
Opponents on council raised concerns about permitting alcohol in an open park that serves families. Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Grimm and Councilmember Harpster voted no; councilmembers Morales, Milne, Blaisdell and Mayor Serrano voted yes. The roll call recorded the outcome 4-3.
Councilmembers asked staff to consider a future workshop to clarify park alcohol policies and whether council should review similar requests going forward. Staff said if the resolution were denied the event could proceed without a beer garden; with approval, the organizer may proceed subject to the conditions in the special-event permit.
