Commission approves adding Dec. 12 to Lake Wales Live permit, allowing carry-in alcohol for Make It Magical event

The Lake Wales City Commission voted unanimously to add Dec. 12 to the existing Lake Wales Live special-event permit, a move commissioners said will allow attendees to carry alcohol while walking during the combined "Make It Magical" event.

A commissioner presenting the item told the commission that Lake Wales Live and Main Street partnered on the upcoming event, but Lake Wales Live had not placed the date on its calendar; Main Street handled the permit process. "By adding this date to the Lake Wales Live permit, it allows people to walk around with alcohol Friday night for the Make It Magical Lake Wales Live event combined," the commissioner said. "So we just need y'all's approval for that." The commission's presiding officer asked for a motion; the commissioner moved and the presiding officer seconded.

The commission conducted a roll-call vote after hearing no discussion. Commissioners Thompson, Williams and Gillespie and Deputy Mayor Gibson each voted yes; Mayor Hilgus was not present. The commission's presiding officer announced the motion passed with the voting members in favor. The chair then adjourned the special meeting and recessed briefly before continuing with subsequent business.

The transcript does not specify the calendar date of this special meeting; the event date discussed is Dec. 12. The motion was described in the meeting as adding Dec. 12 to the Lake Wales Live permit to allow open-container/walking alcohol at the combined event; the transcript does not supply additional permit language, conditions, or enforcement details.

The commission took no other formal action in the special meeting portion that appears in the transcript.