Kenosha committee discusses bonfires at Celebration Place for Lakeside Oktoberfest; no formal vote recorded

The Kenosha Board of Public Works heard an amended request from Rustic Ventures LLC, doing business as Rustic Road Brewing Company, to allow bonfires and portable fire units at Celebration Place for a Lakeside Oktoberfest event planned in September 2025.

The committee discussed safety measures and placement. Jake Baldwin, Kenosha Fire Prevention Chief, told the committee that event organizers "are still obligated to follow the rules of the open burning ordinance," adding that "there's a time frame, wind direction, wind speed" limits organizers must meet or they will not be allowed to light fires that night.

An applicant representative described the fire units as covered, raised metal containers with screens and said they would be monitored and equipped with extinguishers. The applicant said the bonfires would be limited to two nights (Friday and Saturday) and that the permit window was "only a 3 or 4 hour permit." A citizen, Chuck Nelson of 5740 Woodland Hills Drive, said he was present for questions.

During discussion a committee member identified only as a committee member on the record said they would abstain from voting because they have a part-time appointment with the applicant; the committee recorded that statement but the meeting transcript does not include a motion, second or vote result on the bonfire request.

The committee record shows the fire department had reviewed the plan and told staff it was "good with it," but the transcript does not show a formal approval or denial; committee staff are expected to follow up with any required permits or conditions under the open-burning ordinance.

Documents supplied to the committee listed the event location on a site map and described the applicant's plan to place covered fire units approximately 40 feet from a tent and to monitor units throughout the event.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after noting the abstention; no formal action on the bonfire permit is recorded in the available transcript.

A follow-up staff report or permit record is expected to clarify final conditions and whether the permit was issued under the city's open-burning rules.