Tuesday morning Allen County commissioners put in question Thrive Allen County’s plans for its annual meeting under a big tent on the courthouse lawn.
David Toland, Thrive executive director, told commissioners the annual affair had outgrown Madison Avenue Steaks and Chops, where it was held the past two years.
“We want to move it from late in the year to a Friday night in September,” he said, with the thought of having the event in a tent on the courthouse lawn. “We’re planning on 500 people this year.”
When Toland asked about serving alcoholic beverages, Commissioner Dick Works responded, “We don’t allow alcohol on county property.” Commissioners Gary McIntosh and Rob Francis gave no indication they wanted to make an exception.
That gave Toland pause. He observed that having the meeting dry would make it more difficult for Thrive to afford. He said alcohol sales helped defray costs and that this year Thrive planned to lower individual ticket prices to attract a larger crowd.
“We charged $22 a person at the last one and plan to lower that to $16 this year,” he said.
Commissioners and Toland talked about alternatives, including the National Guard Armory (too small at capacity of 250) or perhaps on the parking lot outside the closed grocery store on North State Street. Toland said a decision about whether to pursue a tent meeting on the courthouse lawn would rest with his board.
Commissioners ap-proved use of the courthouse square for three other events, including Thrive’s Charlie Melvin Mad Bomber Run the night of July 9. They gave permission for a carnival of inflatable toys to be erected in the southwest quadrant of the lawn from 3 to 11 p.m. on July 9 to support lead-up to the midnight run.
Also, Iola Middle School was given a nod to use the bandstand for a concert the evening of May 13 and for a National Day of Prayer event at noon May 6.
Thrive seeks location for meeting
