City council says no to beer at Cortland Pumpkinfest

CORTLAND, N.Y. – Citing a lack of timely notification, the city of Cortland Common Council voted Tuesday not to allow a beer and wine tasting tent during the 20th annual Cortland Pumpkinfest.

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The event takes place in Courthouse Park during the first weekend in October.

The Pumpkinfest committee voted last year not to offer a beer and wine tent “because of the rowdiness going on,” according to city alderman Ken Dye.

“People were complaining about downtown turning into a beer fest,” Dye said. “This would just be promoting it.”

This year, the owners of the Dark Horse Tavern, the Finger Lakes Tasting Room and the Red Jug Pub had sought to sponsor their own beer and wine tasting tent in conjunction with the event. The proceeds from the sales at the tent would have been divided equally between the Pumpkin Festival Committee and the Cortland Downtown Music Series.

Lawmakers said future events that impact the city right of ways would need to fill out an event application form 60 days in advance of the event.

In July, the city council narrowly approved a request to allow the sale of alcohol beverages during the Cortland Summer Stage Concert.

Alderpersons who voted against that request cited fears over binge drinking.

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