Holy Ghost Parish Fair to stop alcohol sales at 9 p.m.; council approves open-container waiver and organizers cite contract conflicts

The Hammond City Council on Sept. 23 approved two resolutions allowing alcohol sales and an open-container waiver for the Holy Ghost Parish Fair but recorded public discussion and council concern about safety, contract timing and potential lost revenue for the fair.

What the council approved: Council members voted to permit the Holy Ghost Parish Fair Committee to serve alcohol within a defined boundary on the following dates and times: Oct. 24, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.; Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; and Oct. 26, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The council separately waived the city’s open-container law for the same dates, times and boundary. The motions passed; both measures recorded one abstention by Councilman Andrews.

Organizers’ request and concerns: Joe Thomas, representing Holy Ghost Church leadership, asked the council to pass the resolution on behalf of the parish and its roughly 2,500 families: “I am representing Holy Ghost Church, their leadership team, on behalf of the pastors there. And I would ask on behalf of the 2,500 families that attend Holy Ghost that you allow this…