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Limestone County court bars alcohol in fairgrounds annex and denies fireworks display request
Summary
County commissioners voted to prohibit alcohol in the fairgrounds annex building and to deny a request for a small fireworks display on county fairgrounds property; votes were recorded as support from all four precinct commissioners present.
Limestone County commissioners voted unanimously to prohibit alcohol in the county fairgrounds annex building and to deny a visitor request to hold a fireworks display on fairgrounds property.
A fairgrounds staff member asked the court whether the annex — a small meeting building used by 4-H groups, first responders and fairboard meetings — could be rented for private events and whether renters would be allowed to serve alcohol. The staff member also asked whether a visiting team could hold a small patriotic fireworks show in a rock parking area during a July event.
Commissioners discussed safety, staffing and precedent. One commissioner said the annex is a county facility and raised concerns about setting a precedent for private events with alcohol at county property; another cited security requirements that the county enforces for arena events that include alcohol. A county official also expressed concern about fireworks near the county jail and a nearby private detention facility.
The court then took two motions. A commissioner moved to disallow alcohol in the annex; another commissioner seconded. Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 3 and Precinct 4 commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed. Later the court also voted to deny the fireworks request; the motion received affirmative votes from the four precinct commissioners and passed.
What changed: fairgrounds staff had been exploring modest event rental as a way to offset utility and cleaning costs for the annex building. Commissioners agreed the annex could remain available for community groups but that alcohol use inside the annex would not be permitted. Commissioners noted that arena events that serve alcohol usually require hired security, but that the same arrangements were not approved for the annex.
The decisions were presented as immediate: the court approved the motions during the meeting and instructed staff to enforce the restrictions. No ordinance or formal change to county code was cited; the actions were taken by majority vote of the court during the session.
Following the votes, commissioners closed the agenda items and moved on to other business.
