Committee approves Books & Brews fundraiser licenses and Agora Art Fair permits

The Public Safety and Human Services Committee on June 23 approved temporary liquor licenses for the Friends of the Fitchburg Library’s Books & Brews fundraiser and approved the Agora Art Fair’s special-event permit and its temporary Class B/Class B picnic licenses for on-site alcohol service.

Danielle Williams Rivera, speaking for the Friends of the Fitchburg Library, said Books & Brews is returning as part of the library’s 15th anniversary and will be a ticketed, 21+ fundraising event on June 27. "We are bringing it back this year for the 15th anniversary of the library, and we're timing it so that all money made at the event is going to go to the Children's Library renovation," Danielle said. The committee approved temporary operator licenses for Danielle Williams Rivera and Katie Carlson and noted parking limitations around the library and the recommendation to bicycle if possible.

Stephen, representing Agora/Promega/Chamber event operations, described the Agora Art Fair scheduled for Aug. 15 with about 100 local artists, two stages of live entertainment, a Wisconsin Craft Beer & Wine Garden and cultural programming called Mosaic. Staff and event organizers outlined traffic control and safety measures including police-directed traffic and road barriers; the committee approved both the special-event permit and temporary alcohol licenses.

The committee voted to defer a renewal application for Monkey Shine Inc., doing business as Cornerstone Bar and Grill (agent Corey T. McMahon), to the full council for further consideration.

The committee’s approvals clear the way for multiple summer events in Fitchburg while the Cornerstone renewal will be considered at the next appropriate council session.