By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
More and more non-profit groups are requesting beer permits to help support their special events. The recent meeting of the Knoxville City Beer Board saw four groups requesting permits. All of them appeared with completed forms and were approved.
“The file is complete,” is welcome news to the beer board, and each of the event sponsors made the statement last week.
The Young-Williams Animal Center’s 19th Annual Mardi Growl takes place Saturday, March 7, with a pet parade and events at the World’s Fair Park. Director Janet Testerman appeared before the board and gained quick approval. Councilman Denzel Grant said he’d attended in years past and said, “I’m bringing my dog this year.”
Dragonfly Aerial and Circus Arts on Dutch Valley Drive was granted a permit for a special event, the Crystal Ball Annual Gala. The studio is celebrating its 15th anniversary with the March 7 benefit..
The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation’s Shamrock Fest was also approved for a beer permit and is set for Saturday, March 14, at the World’s Fair Performance Lawn. It features Irish food, dancing, a Lucky Beer Garden, and Pot O’ Gold Playground to benefit the foundation.
The Oasis Thaw Out Music Festival was also approved for a May 1 event at the World’s Fair Park, with live music, food trucks and local vendors.
Also approved was Trees Knoxville’s Tree Fest planned for April 24 at Baker Creek Preserve, with activities, music, food and tree giveaways.
The board heard a report on non-compliant beer servers who had not attended a server class, estimated to be about 34 percent of the license holders as of last month. Certified letters were sent to those violators and virtually all are not in compliance. Eight violators that were on the February agenda were dropped from the agenda.
