Board approves Depot Days special event permit for Smyrna Independent Merchants Association

A local licensing or special‑events board approved a special event permit for Depot Days, organized by the Smyrna Independent Merchants Association (SEMA).

SEMA vice president Vanessa Haley described event operations including perimeter control, ID checks, wristbands and a gated beer‑service area positioned in front of Front Street Pub. The board moved and seconded to approve the permit and announced the permit was approved and available for pickup after 10 a.m. the next day.

Vanessa Haley, vice president of the Smyrna Independent Merchants Association, told the board the association uses perimeter ropes and event guards to keep patrons inside the designated area and that staff check IDs before handing out wristbands. “Yes. As soon as their IDs are checked, they'll be wristbanded, which also, of course, helps Front Street Pub as well, because if they happen to go inside the pub and get something, they already know that they've been checked,” Haley said.

Haley said Depot Days' beer service will be set up on Saturday in front of Front Street Pub and will use a beer truck with an attendant; attendees receive a small number of tickets that can be exchanged for beer selections. Haley said the event is only scheduled for Saturday this year and that attendees may still enter Front Street Pub if they want food or drink inside the establishment.

Board members did not place additional conditions on the permit in the recorded discussion. The motion to approve and the second were followed by a standard voice vote; no roll‑call tally or opposing votes were recorded in the transcript.

The association invited the public to attend the event; Haley said organizers were hoping for good weather. No public‑safety incidents, bond requirements or insurance details were discussed on the record.