Open Containers Allowed In Certain Areas for Upcoming Music Festival in Perry

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Drinking in the streets of downtown Perry at next Saturday’s music festival will be allowed, but there are some very specific rules you will have to follow.

The 4th annual Perry Music Festival has taken almost a year to plan, and Mayor Jimmy Faircloth is ready for some music.

“This is a family affair, a family event, and anybody at any age can come there is no charge for, we’ve decided this year that we will allow alcoholic beverages they will be sold on site,” Faircloth said.

And that’s big news to the growing festival.

City council passed an ordinance to allow open containers of alcohol in certain areas for large events held in the city.

“We’ll stress that you cannot bring alcoholic beverages into any of the venues and if you purchase it on site, then you cannot take it out,” Faircloth said.

The festival will block off parts of downtown Perry and also Rotary Centennial Park.

Visitors will be allowed to purchase alcohol at noon at the park.

“They can start selling alcoholic beverages at that time, there will be a vendor on site, within the confines of rotary centennial park and that’s where it will be confined to if someone wants to have an alcoholic beverage beer or wine or whatever they want to serve,” Faircloth said.

Businesses near the festival are allowed to sell alcohol, but patrons can’t leave the premises.

The rules are a little different for the downtown area.

“We will allow alcoholic beverages after 6PM only in the confines of the courthouse square, no where else,” Faircloth said.

Festival goers will be allowed to bring coolers in the event, but they can’t have alcohol or glass bottles.

Mayor Faircloth wants everyone to have a good time, and selling alcohol near the performances downtown during the day would cause confusion.

“We will have a lot of children’s gospel and Christian music from noon until 6PM on both stages and that is just not a good mix,” Faircloth said.