Board orders safer flow at fairgrounds events, approves temporary downtown shared consumption area

The Frederick County Liquor Board on May 11 directed staff and event operators to tighten crowd flow and alcohol controls for upcoming large events and granted a short-term downtown experiment to permit two adjacent businesses to share a monitored outdoor consumption area.

For the Mexican rodeo on June 14 staff said they will move the beer garden behind permanent fencing to create clearer ingress and egress, require specific wristband colors and work with the fire marshal and security to limit uncontrolled crowding. Staff told the board inspectors will have the authority to stop alcohol sales at 7:30 p.m. if safety measures are not being met.

Board members emphasized the limits of the liquor board’s purview — egresses beyond the licensed footprint and parking are outside their direct control — but said clear expectations and on‑site monitoring are necessary to reduce risk. The board asked staff to provide a written checklist of event controls to the promoter and to continue coordination with the fire marshal and security teams.

Downtown, two neighboring licensees — Steinhard and El Haven — requested permission to share a contiguous, enclosed outdoor consumption area by removing a short chain between their spaces. Staff recommended separation of glassware, additional monitoring and camera coverage; the board approved temporary promoter‑style authorization through the June 8 hearing to allow a trial period and asked inspectors to report any issues before that date.

The temporary approvals are subject to staff monitoring; if violations are observed the board said it would close the outdoor area and revisit the authorization at the next hearing.