OPD: First open container event at Friday After 5 a success

May 21, 2019 | 3:11 am

Updated May 21, 2019 | 12:46 am

First Friday After 5 with working entertainment district goes smoothly.

Friday After 5s first weekend as part of The District — allowing residents to carry open containers of alcohol along the riverfront and to and from select establishments — seemed to go smoothly, according to both Owensboro Police Department and Friday After 5 Board Chair Meredith Keller.

“As far as I’m concerned, there weren’t any issues,” Keller said.

OPD Public Information Officer Andrew Boggess echoed Keller’s statement, calling the Friday evening event “relatively smooth” despite some public speculation and controversy that allowing open containers would create a hazardous environment.

“There were no reports of any major issues at the event,” Boggess said. “It went pretty well for the first weekend.”

The only shortfall Friday After 5 encountered was a shortage of green, plastic cups during the evening, Keller said.

“There weren’t enough cups at RiverPark Center to go around. [The City of Owensboro] has ordered more for next weekend,” Keller said.

The 80-degree weather and a nice breeze brought a huge turnout to downtown Owensboro for Friday After 5’s first event of the season.

Keller said she hopes the new EDC license in downtown Owensboro will continue bringing large numbers to Friday After 5 over the following 15 weeks.

“I think it’s going to be a great year. More people will come out because they aren’t being rushed. They can take their drink to the Overlook stage and enjoy the bands,” Keller said.

One issue Friday After 5 staff encountered at its first event partnering within The District was outside containers being brought into establishments within the EDC boundary. Boggess and Keller both said it may take time before residents who attend Friday After 5 are familiar with The District’s guidelines — one of them stating that no containers of liquid can be carried onto other properties from outside.

“You can’t bring a lemon shake-up inside another establishment,” Keller used as an example. “No containers are allowed back inside. You can leave with a green cup, but you can’t bring it in with you.”

Keller said the City placed an order of green cups on a backorder that didn’t arrive in time for Friday’s event, but next weekend should see more than enough cups available for everyone.

May 21, 2019 | 3:11 am

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