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Poulsbo council authorizes Chamber beer garden at Waterfront Park
Summary
The Poulsbo City Council approved an exemption to the municipal code allowing the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce to operate a beer garden at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park as part of the Poulsbo Brewfest; the event is scheduled for the third weekend in September.
The Poulsbo City Council on April 9 approved an exemption to the Poulsbo Municipal Code to allow the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce to operate a beer garden at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park for the Chamber's 2025 Poulsbo Brewfest.
The Chamber asked the council for permission to host the beer garden at the Waterfront Park after moving the festival from its prior Village location last year. Mariana Smythe, speaking for event organizers, said last year's move to Waterfront Park was "fantastic," adding that "people came, they hung out, they had lunch, they stayed longer, they listened to music." Smythe said the beer garden footprint used roughly half the park and left room for other park uses.
Councilmember McBade moved to authorize an exemption to PMC 12.30.08 to permit the Chamber's beer garden at Waterfront Park; the motion was seconded and approved. Council discussion noted the event date will be the third Saturday in September.
City staff said the Chamber would be responsible for permitting, site setup and ensuring the activity complies with any conditions the council sets for safety and public access. The council did not add additional conditions beyond the code exemption.
The Chamber and city staff described last year's event flow: the beer garden entrance was located along the waterfront walkway and organizers managed a steady line at peak times, but left music and other park amenities available to the general public. Mariana Smythe said the music paid for by the Chamber remained free and open to anyone on the waterfront.
The council did not provide a detailed accounting of public-safety staffing or insurance amounts during the discussion; those items remain part of the special-event permitting process handled by city staff.
Council members and staff encouraged the public to note the event date and follow the Chamber and city for operational details and any permitting information.
Ending: The event was authorized; staff and the Chamber will complete permitting and operational details ahead of the September date.
