Six Flags Over Georgia wants to sell beer at concerts

There are two problems with the opposition. First of all, it's a private business. If they don't like the practices of that business, they need not go there and spend money. Second, it's foolish to equate alcohol sales with some kind of certain doom. Yes, you get some rowdy dumbass from time to time where alchohol is sold, and it's typical that such a person is booted out of the venue. That doesn't justify denying the rest of the responsible public the ability to consume.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

I'm opposed to it. The primary problem I have is that I know how rowdy a lot of the current guests are, it would be nuts with a few cold ones in them. Now, that's not a big problem in and of itself--there will only be a few concerts each year. I feel that eventually beer sales will work their way into the park's eateries. I'm very opposed to that. Yes, yes, other parks sell beer inside. That's fine. SFOG has been alcohol-free since its opening in 1967, and the sale of beer inside the park would really degrade the atmosphere.

Of course, it's all about helping out their bottom line.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Beer is sold at most amusement parks I have ever been too. Heck, Anheuser-Busch gives it away for free in their parks. Disney sells alcohol in the parks and wine at Epcot. Cedar Point sells alcohol.

I wouldn't call the crowds at those parks degrading, at least not because of the alcohol. The clothes some of those people wear might be degrading but that is another matter.

I am all for it.

Considering the prices of beer at parks that do sell them, it is unlikely that you will get a lot of rowdy guests.

No offence to American beer, but it will take more than a few ones to get "rowdy".

And also what is to stop people from drinking OUTSIDE the park anyways?

Canada's Wonderland has a Liquor store right across from the park, and there had been few problems.

I wish the oppisition would just figure out a better argument then the old, tired, and largely meaningless "family atmosphere" rhetoric. There's always been plenty of beer at my family reunions and you won't find much more of a "family atmosphere" then that.

Many parks sell alcohol
Many "family" restaurants sell alcohol
Many summertime "family" festivals sell alcohol.
Many "families" serve alcohol, including mine and I haven't become a raging alcoholic. In fact, I don't even like the stuff.

Beer on it's own is not evil. If you don't want it, don't buy it (and with the prices most places charge I'm surprised anybody does).

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Ripple Rock Amusement Park

Personally, I like how parks like CP handle alcohol and smoking, at CP you can buy one beer per present person with an ID, you can't drink in line nor smoke, Personally I tend to drink and smoke a lot, but when around kids I don't and I think an amusement park is a place for all ages, but when people can buy an unlimited amount of beer at a time basically, I know SFWOA as of 2 years ago you could, then you get these drunken fools just ruining everyones day around them, now I know you can run into fools that act like that while sober but it certainly cuts down on it, save drinking for the bar and the back yard, plus think about it, rules like CP has now prevents my dumb ass from spending $6.25 for a miniture beer, think thats a 6 pack and change at the gracery store. As for SFOG if its only going to be in the ampitheatre then I'd say the county should let them test it out, if its a problem then jump in a put a stop to it. But as for the park stepping in I don't know how each park attacks the problem but I know from experience most parks tend to be pretty tolerant with drunks until fists start flying. Also if im not mistaken black sunday at PKI ended in 3 deaths, one woman intoxicated fell from a ride, and 2 men were killed while fishing anothe man out (if im not mistaken atleast one of those men were drunk, I may be wrong) Isolated incidents that just happened to happen on the same day but it does and can happen and alcohol can and does trigger carelessness in humans. Personally I dont think there is any room for it anywhere where kids are around.

Keep in mind my experience is largely limited to indie venues and small pubs around Brisbane, the biggest of which might be able to take in 2000 people standing in a particularly packed manner. But one thing that is almost universal - tickets to licensed gigs are a heck of a lot cheaper than all ages, simply because nearly all venues will be cheaper for the bands or concert organisers to hire, as the owners can make it back (and then some) with alcohol sales.

I can't name a single Australian park that doesn't serve alcohol around the park. Furthermore, I can't think of a single incident that could have even remotely been caused by alcohol/drunkenness. I really don't think 16-year-old Cathleen understands exactly much about alcohol - its not some sort of Instant Jackass Tonic. Only those who are already tools will become tools under the influence. And alcohol ? drunkenness. Irresponsible drinking is what causes drunkenness. And I doubt many people will pay however much for the concert just so they can spend the day/night drinking enough to get drunk - you can do that in the comfort of your own sofa.

Having said that (and I'm clearly all for the idea of alcohol), I don't think that "it's a private business" quite justifies them being able to decide at their own discretion whether or not to serve alcohol. A daycare center shouldn't be allowed to sell beer to parents when they come to pick their kids up in the afternoon. A toy store shouldn't be allowed to sell alcohol. Given that, I understand what you're saying - where appropriate, a business should be able to decide what's best for them - after all, their profit figures will soon tell them if they've made the right choice or not.

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Total Thrills Amusement Guide
Australia's Premier Source for Thrills!

I don't think the "family atmosphere" argument has any less validity than "hey, everyone's doing it, so it's fine!"

I don't mind other parks selling beer. And I know it's not going to make little Johnny parkgoer an alcoholic. I just think the park would be fine without it.

BTW aucoasterman, I like your last paragraph.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
*** This post was edited by General Public 7/8/2003 10:39:29 AM ***

Heck, there's a liquor store right around the corner from Holiday World TOO! However, there's a sizeable difference between Santa Claus, Indiana, and just outside of metropoliton Atlanta, Georgia.

I say nay.

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I'm not an enthusiast. I just play one on message boards.

Well, if they do approve it (and it's still up in the air--no other Cobb Co. entertainment venue has a permit to sell alcohol), I'm not going ot throw my arms in the air and say "To hell with SFOG!" It will just be something else about the park that makes me roll my eyes.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Quothe the Homey:

'However, there's a sizeable difference between Santa Claus, Indiana, and just outside of metropoliton Atlanta, Georgia.'

Which is what, exactly?

Not true, GP, the article says another venue does have a permit. There's no way they could get away with not allowing Six Flags to sell beer without it going to court.

Anyone see the pattern in the above posts? Obviously the sale of beer in other parks has not caused any degradation to atmosphere there. In fact, it has been my experience that the distribution of alcohol in amusement parks is so well controlled that it shouldn't even be an issue. Huge margins ensure that the parks will do everything in their power to make sure that only those of legal age will be able to purchase it and they'll only consume it in designated areas.

Last visit to Holiday World I wanted a beer real bad, not because I wanted to get drunk, but because I would've forked over $6 for the refreshing taste of it. Contrary to the popular belief of self-righteous moralists, most beer drinkers are not the stereotypical frat boy looking to get loaded.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

aqucoasterman says:

'A daycare center shouldn't be allowed to sell beer to parents when they come to pick their kids up in the afternoon. A toy store shouldn't be allowed to sell alcohol.'

Sure they should be allowed to sell beer, and then they should be allowed to take the financial beating that would accompany such a stupid decision. What parent in their right mind would send junior off to a day care that serves alchohol?

I say that SFoG should serve me up a tall one the next time I'm there. It gets hot as hell in Atlanta. ;)
*** This post was edited by chris 7/8/2003 11:32:37 AM ***

Crap. I misread the article. Well, I suppose the possiblity is higher, but Cobb Co. is notoriously conservative (this is Bob Barr country), so it's still up in the air... definitely not a sure thing. I think some other large venues in Cobb have been turned down in the past for permits to sell booze.

chris, don't you know that beer only makes the heat worse? ;) You'd have to attend some terrible concert anyway.

Should the park be denied, I don't think SFOG would take the county to court. Too much trouble for it.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

I say, bring on the beer! ;)

Apparently, many people are not aware of the control moral conservatives have over EVERYTHING in the deep south. This is bible belt country, and southern baptists don't drink, don't want you to drink, and don't want anybody to drink in any place they might consider visiting. Yes it's stupid, but that's the way things work around here.

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I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, 'cause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right. -Ani Difranco

Man, I had a couple tequila shots a DCA when it opened. Had a nice warm fuzzy feeling looking out over the lagoon with the sun wheel and all the purdy lights. Family atmosphere? I was about ready to start one with my wife right then and there! ;)

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"But where's the feeelth?" - Uncle Vainstein

Easy with the broad paintbrush-type swaths Fafolguy. I was raised a Southern Baptist and still technically am, and I've been known to tip a bottle from time to time. I was a bartender for a while. I just don't want to see it at SFoG.

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I'm not an enthusiast. I just play one on message boards.

Homey, that reminds me of one of my favorite jokes: What's the difference between baptists and methodists? Methodists say hi when they run in to each other at the liquor store.

All I'm doing is mentioning the church's stance on liquor. That stance is that it is unacceptable for anyone at any time. I was also raised southern baptist and went to the church where my grandfather was the preacher. If there's some new brand that allows drinking that's news to me.

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I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, 'cause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right. -Ani Difranco