Six Flags Whitewater seeks permission to let patrons carry beer, wine across park; council hears controls but takes no action
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Summary
Representatives from Six Flags explained a plan to expand beer-and-wine sales to multiple locations inside Whitewater and allow patrons to carry closed containers through common areas. Staff said state law and premise definitions support the request; committee discussion was informational and no formal vote was taken.
Representatives of Six Flags Whitewater described a proposal to expand on-site beer-and-wine sales to additional locations within the park and allow patrons to carry closed containers through common walkways and seating areas during the park’s operating season.
A Six Flags representative told the Parks/Finance committee that the park already operates under a county alcohol license and that the requested change would add locations but would not allow liquor. "We will not allow alcohol in the water at all... That will continue to be the case," the representative said, adding the company uses on-site security and Marietta Police officers assigned to the property and requires responsible-server certification for servers.
The park said it would use wristbands as a visible indicator that a guest has been served alcohol and reiterated multiple layers of security and lifeguard staffing for water attractions. The representative said the park has served alcohol on site for nearly 10 years and that Marietta Police records do not show overserving incidents tied to Whitewater during that period.
City staff explained how the state’s revised premise definitions and recent state law changes affect licensing. "If the restaurants were owned by different people, then it would be different," a staff member said, noting the property is a single, fenced premise under one owner and therefore can be served with a single license in the staff interpretation. Staff also emphasized that license holders remain subject to all state pouring and ID-check requirements and that alcohol carried beyond the drawn perimeter of the park would be prohibited.
Committee outcome: The item was discussion only; staff reported there is no mandatory council action and no motion was required. Staff said they believed the request could be granted administratively under current state law and the city’s interpretation of "premises," but they brought the item to committee because a similar proposal had previously come before council when code changes were proposed in 2016.
What to watch: If Six Flags proceeds on administrative approval, staff said the company will be required to adhere to the state alcohol rules on serving and identification, restrict containers from pools and rides, and implement the wristband and security practices described.
