Officials at the community auditorium say they have good reason for not allowing Blues Fest patrons to bring in or leave with empty water bottles.
The explanation follows a series of public complaints.
Spokesperson Trevor Hurtig says not allowing the empty bottles to enter or leave the grounds mainly has to do with their liquor license. He added that organizers also have to ensure that alcohol does not enter or leave festival grounds.
“We’ve had 11 years of this festival and we have not had a single liquor infraction and we do take this very, very seriously,” Hurtig said during an interview with CKPR Radio Thursday morning.
“We want the festival to be known as a place where there are not going to be liquor issues. I think a lot of people think we are just trying to sell more water but it really isn’t.”
Hurtig also said that festivals in other provinces may have different rules, however, Ontario liquor licenses are very clear regarding the promoters’ responsibilities.
(CKPR Radio)
