SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen gave its stamp of approval for a request to serve alcohol outdoors until 2 a.m. at the Southwick Inn this weekend.
Normally, bars must stop serving alcohol outdoors at 10 p.m. but Manager Jennifer Whalley asked for the extension for Sept. 5 only for the Inn’s annual block party.
Whalley said the block party tradition began before her family purchased the Southwick Inn.
“This is my eleventh year, but it’s been going on forever,” she said.
Selectmen Chairman Joseph Deedy noted there have been no incidents during the block party in the past.
“There have been no violations and you have a clean bill of health so we can look at it,” Deedy said.
Selectman Russell Fox asked Whalley if she expected a crowd outside after 10 p.m.
“People tend to go inside when the band stops at 10, but we do get some overflow,” Whalley said.
Whalley said another block party tradition has been rain, so there have not been issues with crowds outside in previous years.
Fox and Selectman Douglas Moglin both agreed to try extending the one-day alcohol sale permit until 2 a.m.
“This will be a test, and I have no problem with testing,” said Fox.
The party starts at noon and includes drink and food specials, including steamers, smoked brisket, St Louis style ribs, pork butts, cowboy beans, coleslaw, and pasta Salad. Grilled items outside include bison burgers, hamburgers and hot dogs, and chili dog sliders.
