The first round of changes to B.C.’s liquor laws came into effect Saturday to much fanfare from the provincial government.
And while the government touts free-range drinking to become the norm as it tears down beer garden fencing around the province, many local festival organizers say little will change this summer.
"Unless we gated the entire perimeter of the event, then it really makes no sense for us to get too excited about this legislation,” said John Orysik, media director at the TD International Jazz Festival that sees thousands of people gather in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
The new rules allow organizers to get rid of separated beer gardens in favour of more open liquor sales – including mixed drinks like a gin and tonic – that can be carried around festival grounds.
But according to the regulations, festival organizers wanting to allow wider liquor movement must have controlled entry and exit points, which is a non-starter for the jazz fest.
“Right now, events are free to the public and accessible to everyone. That’s the whole idea, so it’s not gated,” said Orysik.
The Pacific National Exhibition – a prime candidate with its controlled entry and long established vendors – will see few changes this year but organizers do have an eye on the future.
"The analysis for an event as large as ours might take several months, even six months to a year to decide if it's the right fit,” said spokesperson Laura Balance. "At this point we would be looking at that with an eye to 2015.”
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is gated – but organizers are concerned more alcohol would turn a fun family weekend into a booze-fest.
But according to the province, the new rules were brought in to allow parents to enjoy a beverage without having to sit in a separate area from their kids.
"Allowing family-friendly festivals to license the grounds instead of cordoning off beer gardens means families can stay together to enjoy the music, fun and festivities,” said B.C. Attorney General Suzanne Anton.
The changes come as a result of consultation over the last year in the provincial government’s Liquor Policy Review.
Festival organizers able to make changes can expect to see a boost to their bottom lines as alcohol sales are expected to increase.
"Today's changes will increase convenience and generate huge time and cost savings for our festival organizers, allowing more proceeds to flow directly to the programs we support,” said Ann Phelps, general manager of the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.
All festivals and special events interested in selling alcohol still have to apply for a special occasion licence, subject to local government or police approval.
And many less than so-called “family friendly” occasions are interested in the new rules as well.
Squamish Music Festival Executive Producer Paul Runnals is looking at how he can open up sales at this summer’s large music campout.
“How do you control minors getting access to alcohol when it’s dark? That’s a piece we have to work on but I’m confident we can do it.”
“Now the door’s open, so we want to go after it,” he said.
With files from Canadian Press and CTV’s Penny Daflos
