Port Richey committee asks council to weigh in on allowing vendors to sell packaged alcohol at waterfront events

The Port Richey event committee voted to ask City Council to consider whether vendors should be permitted to sell packaged alcohol at Waterfront Park events and under what conditions tasting or on‑site consumption could be allowed.

Committee members discussed a vendor inquiry about selling flavored moonshine at the seafood festival. Staff reminded the committee that a city ordinance generally prohibits alcohol in public parks but also allows exceptions via a special‑event permit. An attendee summarized: “Our order says no. You can't have alcohol in public parks. However, there is an exception. That exception is a special permit.” That special permit pathway requires a licensed vendor, proof of insurance, and a plan for a dedicated sales and consumption area, staff said.

Some members urged caution and emphasized that the festival was intended to be family‑friendly; others said they wanted to see whether craft vendors could sell packaged spirits for take‑home purchase while consumption on park grounds remained restricted. After debate, the committee voted to refer the question to the full City Council for review and direction, asking counsel to clarify what a special‑event permit would require (licenses, insurance, dedicated consumption area and operational controls) and whether the city can reasonably implement such standards in time for the festival.

The committee also instructed staff to return with counsel’s guidance at the next committee meeting so members could decide whether to recommend a targeted special‑event permit for beer and wine consumption areas or to limit sales to packaged, non‑consumable‑in‑park transactions.

Next steps: staff will solicit legal guidance on the permitting path, vendor qualifications and whether a consumption area could be set up and managed for the festival; the City Council will be asked to weigh in on policy and timing.