Brewers pitch family-friendly Mayfest at Seaco Park; commissioners agree to draft resolution to allow limited alcohol sales

Jake Boglai of Manhattan Brewing Company asked the commission to permit a family-friendly "Myfest" at Seaco Park on May 16 and described a beer-focused, family-oriented event with vendors, DJs and children’s activities. The group proposed limiting alcohol to beer sold by participating brewers, using fences or barricades and volunteers to monitor boundaries, and providing insurance coverage.

Boglai said organizers had experience operating similar events and wanted to move the festival to the West Side to increase family-friendly options outside downtown. "We want, like, me as a dad, I want to be able to have a beer while my kids are over there on the bounce house," he said, describing arrangements used at past events.

County staff and commissioners noted a standing county resolution that broadly prohibits alcohol in parks. One staff member explained the usual approach: either add a specific exception in the resolution for a permitted event or lift the park-wide restriction and replace it with narrower rules. Commissioners asked county counsel and the extension department to prepare draft language for a resolution that could allow a controlled exception for this event.

Commissioner action followed: a commissioner moved that the extension department and county counselor work together to prepare a resolution to allow the requested event; the motion was seconded and organizers thanked the board. No final policy was adopted at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to return a draft for formal consideration.

Organizers said they already carry insurance and employ standard crowd-control measures, and county staff suggested modeling draft language on similar city event agreements. If the commission adopts an exception, staff said organizers would need to meet conditions and insurance requirements spelled out in the draft resolution.