Festival declined licence, hearing set
A hearing will be held next month after the Central Otago licensing committee declined a special license for the Alexandra Blossom Festival.
Festival event manager Martin McPherson said he could not comment on why the application was refused as he would have to give evidence at the public hearing on July 11.
However, he was confident blossom festival goers would not notice any difference to what was on offer regardless of the hearing's outcome.
The debate was around who would hold a liquor license, the festival or vendors, he said.
"It's just one of those things. It won't affect the blossom festival. We will still have licensed premises onsite."
The public hearing will be at the Central Otago District Council chambers, in Alexandra, on July 11 at 10am.
In May, the council extended the festival liquor ban to include the Teviot Valley after a presentation by police.
The disorder caused by "car enthusiasts" heading to Alexandra was the reason for the extension. It was not related to behaviour at the the blossom festival site in the town.
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