Decision expected June 16 on beer, wine at the fair

A decision on whether beer and wine will be sold at this year’s Northwest Montana Fair is expected to be made at the Thursday, June 16, meeting of the Flathead County Fair Board.

The Fair Board has changed its meeting date to the third Thursday of the month, effective this month. Previously, fair officials had said a decision about alcohol sales would be made at meeting today, but that meeting date was changed to next week.

Fair officials last month heard from a handful of county residents who were opposed to allowing alcohol sales nightly during the county fair.

Most said the county fair is a family event and therefore alcohol shouldn’t be allowed. Historically the fair has been dry, with no alcohol sales occurring.

But last year, the vendor that operated the horse races had limited alcohol sales.

Fair Board members began discussing alcohol sales a couple of months ago. Board members said they have received both positive and negative feedback.

The Fair Board now meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the 4-H building at the fairgrounds. Fair Board meetings are open to the public.