Beer board allows second beer garden at Depot event under existing special-event permit

The Town of Smyrna Beer Board on June 2 approved a modification to a previously issued special-event permit to allow a second, front-stage beer garden for a Carpe Artista event at The Depot during an International Dance Festival.

Ron, representing Carpe Artista, said organizers had discussed the plan with Jonathan Harmon of Cedar Glade in Murfreesboro and requested an additional beer-garden area closer to the main stage so performers and attendees would not have to travel to the rear of the venue. "It's in a grassy area, and we'll use stanchions to secure that area," Ron said, adding that the area would have a single point of entry and additional security to check IDs.

Amber told the board she had discussed the proposal with Jeff Peach, who indicated he was comfortable allowing the additional beer garden under the umbrella of the permit the board issued the previous month. The applicant said Crimson security would man the single entrance and check IDs; consumption would be confined within the designated area.

A member moved to approve the modification; the motion was seconded and the board approved by voice vote. The chair confirmed the additional area did not require a separate permit and noted the action would be recorded in the meeting minutes as an amendment to the special-event permit.

The approval was limited to the configuration and conditions described at the hearing—single-point entry, stanchions, ID checks and onsite security—and the board record references prior permit issuance for the event.