Fair Board considers alcohol sales

The possibility of selling beer and wine at the Northwest Montana Fair this summer in Kalispell is on the agenda for the May 12 Fair Board meeting.

Alcohol was sold on a limited basis at last year’s fair, so board members decided to consider it again this year, fair Manager Mark Campbell said. Historically it has been a dry fair with no alcohol sales permitted.

“We want to be open to hearing from the public,” he said.

Last year, alcohol sales were restricted to an area near the grandstands shortly before horse races began and cut off before the races ended. No issues were reported in connection with last year’s sales, he said.

In fact, he said, many people didn’t even know beer and wine were offered at the fairgrounds.

“The board wants to do it in a responsible fashion,” he said.

So far, no specific plan has been hammered out, he said. The board hasn’t even decided if alcohol sales will be allowed.

If the board approves the sale of alcohol, Campbell wants to create a separate account in the fair’s budget for the profits and use that money to make improvements to the fairgrounds.

The Fair Board changed its meeting time to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in the 4-H building.

People may comment on alcohol sales at that meeting or contact Campbell prior to the meeting.

The fairgrounds number is 758-5808.

This year’s Northwest Montana Fair is Aug. 17-21. The theme is “Get Excited.”

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or by email at sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.