Local county fair officials discuss new law allowing alcohol sales

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Indiana Senate Bill 23, which takes effect Tuesday, July 1st, allows for county fairs in the Hoosier state to decide whether or not they want to serve alcohol.

Elkhart county, home of the largest fair in the area, has decided to pass on allowing alcohol sales this year.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair General Manager, Shelly Steury, tells ABC57 the board made several calls to state officials encouraging them to support the bill, even though they won't participate in sales this year.

Steury says operating costs are up for everyone, and county fairs aren't immune to it. So, she understands why the revenue boost from alcohol sales would be a benefit for smaller county fairs.

Since the Elkhart County Fair is so large, it doesn't need the immediate revenue boost.

Steury confirms that the idea of bringing alcohol into the mix is one they'll consider in future years, with discussions over how to handle safety and logistics starting after this year's fair ends.

St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton counties have all confirmed with ABC57 that they won't be applying for a free permit to sell alcohol at the fair this year.

Kosciusko county has decided to go forward with alcohol sales, however.