The Menifee City Council and Menifee Chamber of Commerce reached an agreement on revenue sharing from vendors at city-sponsored events on Wed. August 17. They also voted 4-1 to approve the sale of alcohol at the Oct. 29 Fall Festival.  

The city unofficially collaborated with the chamber last year on a few events including the Fall Festival. 

With a 5-0 vote the city voted to split the revenue with the chamber at special events. 

Grace Santiago who represented Mason Jar Brewery of Menifee and chamber board member supported having a beer garden because it would help businesses like hers to be part of the community.
Stu Blaze a business owner in Menifee and chamber member told council that the beer garden would be fenced off away from the children’s activities.

“We will have limited amounts of how much alcohol is sold to each person,” said Blaze.

“Our staff at Mason Jar is tip certified which means that they are trained to spot when a customer has consumed too much alcohol,” said Santiago. Santiago also suggested following Pechanga’s practice of serving alcohol at similar events with smaller glasses.

Santiago also said The Mason Jar Brewery would be donating all proceeds of beer sales during the Oktoberfest to the city.

“Not having the beer garden takes away the choice from people who want a beer at the festival,” said Blaze. “Each person can only buy two tickets one ticket per glass.”

Council member Lesa Sobek spoke against the sale of alcohol at the October 29 event.  

“What message are we sending to the youth at a children's event,” said Sobek.

“It’s not just a kid event it is a family event,” said Blaze. “The message we should send is to have the freedom of choice.”  

Sobek initially raised concerned about alcohol sales at city events during the Aug. 3 city council meeting.

Kristen Spoon a resident of Menifee said, “One of my issues is you (the city) knowingly know you will have alcohol served with adults that will have kids. The kids will be getting into the car with adults who have been served alcohol. That leaves the city’s rear end opened really wide.”

“I have been personally involved with the chamber and had to walk away due to some of these decisions. Are we really hurting that we have to put down our morals and have alcohol served at a family event,” said Spoon who said she doesn’t drink alcohol. 

Sobek motioned to send the discussion of alcohol sales for all city events to the Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission for further consideration but was voted down.   

City council did agree to approve the sale of alcohol at the Oktoberfest only with Sobek the sole dissenting vote.

Mayor Scott Mann said, “Let’s move forward with the Fall Festival as planned and send the rest of the events to the Parks Commission for consideration.” 

The Menifee Chamber still has vendor booths available call 951-672-1991 to reserve your booth.