The Dawsonville City Council on May 5 held a first reading of an ordinance that would allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages inside the Dawsonville Municipal Complex building and approved a package of permits, fee waivers and road closures to host the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia rest day in the city June 3–5, 2025.

City Attorney Kevin Tallent described the ordinance at first reading as "an ordinance to amend the alcohol code of the city of Dawsonville so we can provide for the consumption of alcoholic beverages around the Dawsonville Municipal Complex Building," explaining the change would let someone take a purchased beverage between businesses and museum spaces inside the Municipal Complex building without requiring a separate special-event vote.

The measure matters locally because it would specify that the Municipal Complex building — distinct from the broader municipal complex and Main Street Park — is a place where purchased alcoholic beverages may be consumed and carried between interior spaces. Council members were told the ordinance would return for adoption on May 19 for a final vote.

At the same meeting staff and representatives from the Dawsonville Chamber and the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) explained that Dawsonville is the scheduled midweek rest day on the multiday ride. Assistant City Manager Jacob Evans said BRAG is a nonprofit that brings approximately 1,000–2,000 cyclists to host towns during its weeklong route and that the city is being asked to approve five items: waiving fees for the Farmers Market Pavilion and three park pavilions (totaling $2,125), closing portions of Main Street through Main Street Park during the event, allowing alcohol in and around Main Street Park for the event, permitting RV parking behind the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (about 25 RVs expected), and waiving a $50 permit fee for the chamber.

A Chamber representative thanked the council for the support and said, "we're very excited to bring a thousand cyclists here to show off Dawsonville and the city of Dawsonville," adding hopes that visitors will spend time and return after the ride.

Council voted to approve the requested BRAG permits and fee waivers. Council member Mark French moved to approve the event requests; Council member Sandy Sawyer seconded; the council then voted to approve the package.

Staff clarified that existing city rules already allow alcohol at special events with a separate approval, and that the proposed ordinance isolates consumption permissions for the Municipal Complex building itself. Council did not vote on the ordinance amendment at first reading; the formal adoption is scheduled for the May 19 meeting.

Details approved for the BRAG rest day include the pavilion fee waiver totaling $2,125, road closures through Main Street Park for the event, designated RV parking behind the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame for about 25 RVs, and a waived $50 chamber permit fee. Staff noted they would follow up with the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame about impacts to its parking.

The council packet and staff presentation identified the event dates and logistics; staff also noted that alcohol at special events remains subject to the city’s special-event approvals and any final ordinance changes would not be retroactive.

The council’s next regular meeting, where the alcohol ordinance is scheduled for a second reading and possible adoption, is May 19. For the BRAG event, staff will continue coordination with event organizers and affected properties such as the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.