State Fair Hopes to Banish Booze Ban

The executive director of the Indiana State Fair believes lifting the ban on alcohol sales could initially provide a $200,000 revenue stream for the annual event. Cindy Hoye says the money would go back into the facility and reduce some of the fair's operational costs. A proposal at the Statehouse would repeal the ban that has been in place since 1947. During an interview on this weekend's Inside INdiana Business Television, Hoye said the move would also help showcase the state's burgeoning beer and wine industries. Opponents of the plan believe alcohol sales could harm the event's family atmosphere. Hoye counters by point out that alcohol is sold at Walt Disney World in Florida, which is considered one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country.

She also says before the ban was put in place, the fair sold so much beer, organizers ran out of paper cups and started serving the beverage in glass bottles.

Senate Bill 168 has been assigned to the Public Policy Committee at the Statehouse. It is not on the agenda for Wednesday's committee meeting.

You can view the bill by clicking here.Source: Inside INdiana Business, in.gov