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Council approves expanded beer garden for Groves Pecan Festival with safety conditions
Summary
The Groves City Council on May 11 approved the Chamber’s request to expand the festival’s beer garden into the band area, subject to two emergency-only exits, officer-monitored controlled entrances paid for by the Chamber, and other safety measures intended to protect concurrent youth activities.
The Groves City Council voted unanimously May 11 to allow the Groves Chamber of Commerce to expand the beer garden area for the 2026 Groves Pecan Festival, provided several safety and operational conditions are met.
The Chamber, through a letter read at the meeting, asked the council for permission to expand the beer garden into the band-stage area. The letter said expanded beer-garden sales over the last three years "have continued to grow, demonstrating strong community engagement and support," and that increased revenue would be used to secure larger band performances, according to the letter read by a Chamber representative.
City staff and public-safety officials pressed for and obtained revisions intended to protect youth programming and ensure emergency access. A city staff member said the plan now includes two emergency-only gates that will remain closed except in a true emergency and will be staffed by chamber volunteers. "These will only be accessible in case of emergency," the staff member said. The Chamber will pay officer costs for monitored controlled entrances, staff said.
Officials said portable toilets were moved inside the fenced festival footprint to prevent comings and goings through the beer-garden boundary, and routes for first responders were clarified so ambulances and fire units can reach incidents inside the site. Staff also raised operational items such as trash and dumpster placement; public-works staff said the city coordinates trash needs in a pre-festival meeting and provides services as determined there.
Council members said the expansion is intended to preserve family-oriented daytime programming while allowing a larger, officer-supervised area for adult attendees during band performances. After discussion, a motion to approve the Chamber’s request passed.
The council did not attach additional permit conditions beyond those discussed at the meeting; the Chamber will implement the agreed changes and work with city staff and emergency services ahead of the festival.
