Waupaca council approves alcohol for event
By James Card
Common council voted Sept. 20 to allow open intoxicants in designated areas during Halloween on Main.
The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.
This means that adults will be able to purchase alcoholic drinks served in non-glass containers from establishments in the designated area and drink them outside on the street.
The request was put together by Mitch Swenson on behalf of the Halloween on Main event committee.
Businesses within that area that serve alcohol are Simpson’s Restaurant, Sulten Belly, The Pub and Little Fat Gretchen’s. There will be signage in the downtown area stating: “No alcohol beyond this point.”
This temporary expansion also allows for live music outside of these establishments.
The designated area will range from the north end of Main Street at Granite Street (near the Dane’s Hall) and down to the south end at Badger Street (near Simpson’s). It will extend down Fulton Street near the library and the Waupaca Thrift Store, wrap around the library parking lot and connect back to Main Street via Union Street (near Weasels).
Chief Brian Hoelzel reviewed the plan and didn’t see a problem with it from a police perspective.
“Last year was the first year that they did this and it was a huge success and they want to expand on that success for this year, so I would recommend that we approve this request,” said Mayor Brian Smith.
Ald. Lorie Chesnut was the only person who voted against the request and it was on behalf of her constituents who expressed some concern about it.
“Halloween and trick or treat has been moms and dads and kids walking the streets and there hasn’t been alcohol. When I looked at it [the written request], it made me think about stepping away from the real tradition of trick or treat and kids and parents to be out there and for it to be free of alcohol. This is a thought that’s in the community,” she said.
Vendors, trick-or-treaters
Parks and Recreation Director Laura Colbert said many vendors from last year are coming back and they have been getting requests from new vendors.
“We should have very full streets will a lot of exciting and fun stuff for our families,” she said.
There will be four spots for children to pick up trick-or-treating maps for scoring candy from local businesses.
Michele Drake of Lucky Tree said that last year she prepared for around 300 trick-or-treaters.
“It was more like 500,” she said of the huge turnout.
Jim Miller’s pumpkin carvings will be on display in front of city hall (and will build up a couple weeks leading to Halloween). There will be a touch-a-truck exhibit where children and adults can check out fire trucks, police cars, airplanes and heavy machinery.
The event will also feature live music, a haunted trail, a mad scientist show, a photo booth, petting zoo and a brat fry.
Trick or treating is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the event winds down at 8 p.m.