Hayden council approves Arts Commission's Family Fall Fest and permits beer-and-wine garden with conditions

Hayden City Council approved a proposal from the Arts Commission to hold a Family Fall Fest ("Polka in the Park") on Sept. 9 and authorized a fenced beer-and-wine garden for the event.

Staff explained the beer garden would require a fenced perimeter, vendor licensing and security consistent with state laws; the vendor operating the beer garden must ensure compliance. Arts Commission leaders said proceeds were intended to support a youth arts program the commission is required to offer annually.

Council discussion focused on event logistics and staff workload. Council Member White opposed the request, saying a festival of roughly nine hours with multiple vendors would place substantial administrative and operations demands on already stretched staff; White asked for clearer protocols about vendor selection, volunteer screening and how revenue-sharing proposals would be handled.

Arts Commission leadership said talks with the Coeur d'Alene Arts Association about a revenue-sharing partnership were preliminary and no agreement had been finalized. Staff told council any actual revenue-sharing arrangement or MOU would require council approval before funds were distributed or programs authorized.

The council approved the event and the alcohol authorization by roll call. Staff will work with the commission on operational details, vendor permitting, security plans and any future revenue-sharing agreement that must come back to council for authorization.