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Select Board approves Mass Gathering and liquor license for Pilot Cove Café concert at Acton Fairgrounds
Summary
The board approved a Mass Gathering permit and a liquor license for a two-day country-music festival at the Acton Fairgrounds on Sept. 25-26, 2026, after organizer Dan Bowen described security, EMT coverage and a BYOB model; approvals were conditioned on Fire Chief sign-off for EMT credentials.
The Town of Acton Select Board on March 18 approved a Mass Gathering permit and an associated liquor license for an organizer who plans a two-day country-music festival at the Acton Fairgrounds on Sept. 25-26.
Dan Bowen, representing Pilot Cove Café, told the board the event will be BYOB, will include food trucks, vendors, security and dedicated EMTs, and drew on an earlier event model that attracted as many as 800 to 1,000 attendees over two days. Bowen said the BYOB approach requires the same state permitting and on-site management as a staffed bar and emphasized safety measures: "By making this change, it may not pay off financially, but it will make the event better all the way around," he said.
Board approval included a stipulation that the Fire Chief confirm EMT credentials and any other emergency-response arrangements. David Winchell Jr. moved to approve the Mass Gathering permit and the liquor license; Ed Walsh seconded and both motions carried unanimously.
The organizer and staff will coordinate final EMT, parking and site-security plans with the Fire Chief prior to the event.
