1st Beer Garden for 2022 Blueberry Festival
This will be the first year for a Beer Garden at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival. The Marshall County Blueberry Festival is one of Indiana’s largest festivals. It is held Labor Day Weekend every year in the heart of Marshall County in Centennial Park, Plymouth.
The Plymouth Common Council approved Ordinance No. 2022-2193 An Ordinance to Amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plymouth Concerning Alcoholic Beverages During Blueberry Festival on the first read to accommodate the need for the organization’s need to innovate fund raising options.
Representatives of the organization also met with the City of Plymouth Park Department to discuss removing the portion of the contract that prohibited alcohol for the event.
According to Duane Culp, member of the Common Council and President of the Marshall County Blueberry Festival, the festival experienced an almost six-digit financial hit from COVID19. Several non-profit organizations and the Plymouth Community School Corporation relies on financial support generated from the festival every year.
As the organization searched for ways to recover financially, after much discussion, the committee agreed on a beer garden. Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ryan Hollopeter is in charge of security. Over 100 law enforcement officers from local and regional agencies join forces to ensure a safe festival every year.
All State and Local Laws will be enforced. No coolers, no weapons and no smoking permitted. A no shoes, no shirt, no service policy will be enforced. Bartenders and servers retain the right of refusal of service to anyone. Bartenders, servers and law enforcement will have the authority to request anyone to leave at any time for any reason. Bartenders and servers will be licensed and will attend serving school prior too volunteering. No one will be allowed to exit the Beer Garden with an alcoholic beverage. Only those who are 21 years old or older with a valid ID can purchase drink tickets and enter the serving area. Wristbands will be provided to those who present a valid ID at the time of ticket purchase. Lewd and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
A minimum of two Law Enforcement Officers will always be in the Beer Garden. Up to four officers will be present if the crowd deems it necessary. The DJ who has been hired for the event is also a part time police officer and will be in the Beer Garden during open hours of operation.
“Last Call” will be made one hour prior to closing the Beer Garden. No more than two alcoholic beverages will be served to a single person at a time. There will be a family friendly area sectioned off within the Beer Garden separate from
the serving area. Anyone found to be in violation of those rules will be removed from the park or booked at the jail.
The Beer Garden will be located at the basketball courts south of Plymouth Goshen Trail on Randolph Street. “We are committed to maintaining the family atmosphere of the Blueberry Festival. I want people to know that this will be well maintained. We are going to stay on top of it to ensure that there are no problems,” said Culp.