By Marla Jones
Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
Fort Payne, Ala.-- (Full Video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Fort Payne City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 18.
At the meeting, the Fort Payne City Council approved a special event license to sell alcoholic beverages to B&B Management for the June Jam, which will be June 3, at the VFW Fairgrounds.
According to Mayor Brian Baine, B & B Management has handled alcohol sales at many events including Pepsi’s Rock the South festival in Cullman.
Councilman John Smith had concerns about alcohol sales.
“The paramedic in me thinks 95 degrees, 98% humidity, and cold Coors is not a good combination,” Smith said. “The Alabama Band wants us to approve this?”
Smith was informed that the group asked the Council to approve the license.
According to City Clerk Andy Parker, the special event license is $200 with a $335 application fee. The City of Fort Payne will receive 15% of any liquor sales. He also stated that B & B Management has the training to handle crowds expected in the thousands.
“This is the advantage of using a company like them that holds about 150 licenses to sell alcohol across the state” ensuring they will have proper insurance and know how to handle crowds” stated Parker.
The motion for alcohol sales passed unanimously. Council President Walter Watson was absent from the meeting.
The musical acts that will be joining Alabama for the June Jam were announced last week. There will be a special appearance by Randy Travis. Musicians Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Neal McCoy, Dailey & Vincent, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Frontmen (Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas, and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart), Exile, Mark Wills, Home Free, The Malpass Brothers, and Dee Jay Silver are set to perform. There will also be additional special guest performers that will be announced at a later date.
Mayor Brian Baine announced that there will be a Celebration of Life for group member Jeff Cook, who passed away last November, prior to the musical acts, beginning at noon..
Tickets for the June Jam are on sale now on ticketmaster.com and at the Alabama Fan Club.
Events that are scheduled for Alabama’s Fan Appreciation Week are as follows: Teddy Gentry’s Singing with the Stars Talent Contest, on June 1 at the Fort Payne City Hall Auditorium, beginning at 6 p.m., The Fans Songwriter Showcase Spectacular on June 2 at the Fort Payne City Hall Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m., and a brunch at Cook Castle for the Jeff & Lisa Cook Foundation on June 2 beginning at 11 a.m. Ticket information is available at the Alabama Fan Club.
In other business the Council:
• Passed Ordinance 2023-06 establishing a 3-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and 3rd Street Northwest
• Approved a Subdivision, which is 13.02 acres located at the intersection of Chisenhall Road and Houston Loop Road W. to be subdivided into 4 lots of varying acreage to be used by family members for Emily Rosas.
• Authorized Fire Chief Smith to submit the name of M.L. “Pete” Leath for consideration to be added to the Fire Fighter Memorial at Patriot’s Memorial Park.
• Approved Activity Permit for Clara Washington, National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 4th, Rotary Pavilion, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne Council will be held on May 2, beginning at 12:30 p.m., on the second floor of the Fort Payne City Hall.
