Police to crack down on drinking at parade, fair

It’s become a common scene along the lawn chair-marked parade
route — residents with a glass of wine, bottle of beer or red
plastic cup in hand, watching the parade pass by. But this year,
Healdsburg police are warning that openly drinking in public spaces
— sidewalks, streets and parks — will not be tolerated at this
year’s Future Farmers Country fair and parade.
The Police Department and the Fair Board are working together to
crack down on alcohol consumption, and the rowdy behavior that
often follows, during next week’s hometown events.
“The parade is a community wide celebration, and for many, a
reunion,” said Fair Board President Martin Kiff. “However, each
year following the parade, the crowd at Rec Park seems to be more
and more intoxicated. This seems especially true with people under
the age of 21.”
Healdsburg Police Lt. Kevin Young said during the past few
years, incidents involving intoxicated people during the parade and
fair have increased.
Last year, Young said, there were 65 incidents involving alcohol
— everything from fights to drunk drivers, domestic abuse and a
student who was so drunk he had to be taken to the hospital.
“Each year, the community celebration is tarnished by problems
associated with excessive alcohol consumption,” Young said.
The parade, which begins at 6 p.m. and winds through downtown
neighborhoods is a longstanding tradition in Healdsburg. Crowds
line the streets and residents along the parade route often host
parties in their front yards.
“Every float full of kids can look at the cheering crowds and
see alcohol being consumed,” Kiff said.
Kiff, who typically spends the parade at the announcers booth on
Center Street, said he is as guilty as anyone.
“I never even thought of the impression I was giving until a 19
year old decided to free as many animals as they could later that
night at the fair. This was not a statement by an animal rights
activist but a very intoxicated young person who was so drunk they
could barely stand,” Kiff said.
The police department and fair board met earlier this year to
discuss what they could do to change the tone back to a
kid-friendly, community event.
“Drunk drivers and kids out later then normal because there is
no school the next day don’t mix,” Kiff said. “This year we have
been working closely with the city and Kevin Young to try to
discourage intoxication for young and old in order to keep our
community as safe as possible and allow the fair and the parade to
be what it should be — a celebration of the youth of
Healdsburg.”
Young said the focus will be to keep alcohol off of the streets
and sidewalks and the police are reminding residents to be
responsible party hosts.
“There will be dedicated uniformed officers working the entire
parade route to enforce these restrictions,” Young said. “Officers
will be issuing citations and making arrests when necessary to
discourage inappropriate behavior.”
Young said police officers will also staff the entry gates to
the fairgrounds and will deny access to intoxicated people and
detain any minors who are under the influence of alcohol.
“We are trying to steer the parade back to its intended purpose
— to kids and non-profits,” Young said.
After the parade, the fair opens and many residents and visitors
head over to Recreation Park for opening night. The fair continues
on Friday and Saturday all day.
For more information on the parade and fair, look for the
Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair program inside this
issue.
Tribune Editor Kerrie Lindecker can be reached at Ke****@so********.com.