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Council clears Irish Fair to sell alcohol in fenced perimeter, approves up to $20,700 in in‑kind support
Summary
Council approved allowing alcohol sales at the June Irish Fair inside the event fence with wristbands, and agreed to provide up to 50% in‑kind offsets of estimated city costs, capped at $20,700.
The Torrance City Council voted unanimously Jan. 14 to allow alcohol sales inside a fenced perimeter at the city‑permitted Irish Fair at Wilson Park and to provide in‑kind support toward city fees and costs to help the event get established.
Councilman John Metucci moved that the council permit alcohol sales inside the event perimeter with wristbands to verify age and provide an in‑kind contribution toward city costs not to exceed 50 percent of estimated city fees, capped at $20,700; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Fran Fulton, the city’s economic development manager, described the logistics: the event is scheduled for June 14–15 (moved from July), the city has previously authorized limited code exemptions and the festival organizer was seeking direction on whether alcohol sales should be confined to a single beer garden or allowed throughout the fenced event area. Fulton told council that a beer garden would be a fenced, age‑restricted area but also explained how organizers could implement wristbands and a two‑drink‑per‑purchase limit to manage consumption.
Griffin Healy, president of the Irish Fair Foundation, urged a model that permits roaming with drinks rather than a single congregated beer garden, saying the festival’s experience historically has worked with temporary fencing and vendor‑based sales. Healy also described the event’s ticketing structure and volunteer/dancer participation and said the fair traditionally draws thousands of visitors.
Council members discussed safety measures, vendor licensing under the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) rules, and the city’s willingness to waive or cover some permit fees as an in‑kind contribution. Danny Santana of the city manager’s office told the council that the list of estimated city fees in staff materials totals roughly $41,000; council direction allowing a partial in‑kind offset would be implemented by returning with an appropriation from economic assistance funds if desired.
On deliberation the council directed staff to allow alcohol sales within the fenced event area with wristbands for age verification and approved an in‑kind contribution up to 50 percent of the city's estimated fees and costs, not to exceed $20,700. Councilmembers indicated the city will not receive a share of event profits; the stipend offsets are to help absorb city operational costs for the inaugural year and to encourage the event’s success.
