Beer At Carnival? La Grange Official Pushes It

LA GRANGE, IL – The La Grange Business Association plans its annual carnival for June 3 to June 5.

But one thing is missing – beer.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Trustee Michael Kotynek wondered why no alcohol would be served.

"I'm just thinking as a parent, you've got kids running around there for a couple of hours. A cold beer on a nice June afternoon sounds good," Kotynek said. "Are they allowed to transport alcohol in the area?"

Nancy Cummings, the association's executive director, said members were concerned with liquor sales at the carnival pulling away from such sales at neighboring restaurants.

In an interview Tuesday, Cummings said she wanted to investigate whether the local liquor code allowed nearby restaurants and bars to serve to-go cups of beer, so customers could stroll through the carnival.

Last year, alcohol was not sold at the event in the interest of keeping people socially distanced. The event was canceled in 2020.

Before that, the carnival was held in a lot behind Palmer Place restaurant, with food and beverage vendors on hand, Cummings said.

At the meeting, Village President Mark Kuchler said he liked the idea of beer at the carnival.

"We'll have staff look at it to see if it's allowed by law. We would obviously at the village be supportive of it," he said.

The board voted to allow the association to use two blocks of Harris Avenue, from La Grange Road to Ashland Avenue, for the carnival. It would also be permitted to use three parking lots along Harris.