Lancaster council approves alcohol permit for James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Festival

The Lancaster City Council on Oct. 12 approved Resolution 25-17, allowing public possession and consumption of beer and wine at the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation’s 9th annual Family Day Sickle Cell Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Lancaster.

Mister Huddliss, speaking for the foundation’s Lancaster satellite office, told the council the festival will begin with a trail ride and include a parade and evening fireworks. "The festival begin at 12:30 with a trail ride, line dancing tutorial... the parade will begin at 2, and the festival will begin at 4 from 4 to 9 with fireworks at the end," Huddliss said.

Huddliss said the event will use the city-owned old post office parking lot (Market Square) and that the footprint will be bounded by Dunlap Street, Elmwood/Chesterfield, Catawba and White Street, the same area the city has used previously for events. He described controls to restrict alcohol to adults: "They would use the cup that we've used for other festival[s] plus there'll be wristbands to you... we have extra leftover," he said.

Council members asked whether designated cups or wristbands would be used and whether the police chief had any concerns; Huddliss and staff said wristbands and signage limiting alcohol beyond the zone would be used, and the chief indicated city responders cover accidents both inside and outside city limits as needed. Council member Marsh moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and approved on a voice/roll-call vote.

The resolution permits licensed businesses within the event area to sell on-premise alcohol under their state permits; council members said the city will continue standard event controls and signage to prevent alcohol beyond the designated area. The council took the action during its regularly scheduled work session.