Council approves temporary alcohol service for Manchester Live events with insurance and licensing conditions

The North Manchester Town Council approved General Ordinance number three on May 6 to allow Manchester Live to serve alcoholic beverages on town-owned property for community events scheduled July 30 and August 1, 2026, subject to insurance, security and Indianapolis Beverage Commission compliance.

A Manchester Live representative described plans to activate municipal spaces for a multi-day downtown festival and said the Legion parking lot (211 East Main Street) and Oden’s Landing would host events. The ordinance requires Manchester Live to submit an Indianapolis Beverage Commission compliance plan, maintain a certificate of insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence and higher limits in aggregate) and provide sufficient security to prevent leaving the event with open containers. The group must present the town manager with a certificate of insurance no later than June 30; failure to do so may void the special-event approval.

Council members discussed locations and logistics; the ordinance text spells out compliance with licensing, insurance and security expectations and waivers in favor of the town. Council recorded a motion, second and a voice vote approving the ordinance (motion carried; transcript does not include a numeric roll-call tally).

The approval allows Manchester Live to proceed with event planning but conditions remain: the organization must meet state/Indianapolis Beverage Commission licensing and town deadlines and insurance requirements before alcohol service may occur.