Bradenton Beach commissioners agreed May 5 to waive the open-container ordinance for upcoming sunset picnics in Katie Pierola Sunset Park.
The city-sponsored picnics, featuring musician Mike Sales at the mic and on guitar, take place Wednesday evenings in the park, 2200 block of Gulf Drive North. The events begin about two hours before sunset.
The commission agreed last week to waive the ordinance for the next two events, allowing picnickers to bring alcoholic beverages to the celebrations.
Mayor Bob Bartelt planned to submit a special event request that would allow alcoholic beverages at additional sunset picnics.
The commission also agreed to allow the sale of soft drinks at the picnics to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Island Relay for Life campaign.
City attorney Ricinda Perry said the nonprofit group wants to sell lemonade — “Just water and lemon and sugar,” she said, “Or no sugar for those of you on a diet.”
The sunset picnics began in April, the result of talks between Bartelt and Sales. Sales was looking for a Wednesday night spot to sing and Bartelt was seeking to increase visitors to the park.