People who drink beer responsibly should not have to be penalized because of the actions of idiots like those at the recent Jansen Fest. Unfortunately, the comments of Rick Eaton about the fest being one of the least violent shows in the area indicates how tolerant society is of violent acts. He should be ashamed of such a comment. Future plans? Change the venue to attract families, not thugs. We normally do not see violence at church festivals, celebrations in smaller communities, etc. Think of who you are attracting when you plan your festival. Doesn't solve the problem of so many irresponsible parents (and I use the word loosely), who evidently think their children will raise themselves. I don't have an answer to that question that would be socially and morally acceptable, but that is the root of the problem. I, for one, will never visit Jansen fest after reading this article, but good luck to you.

I think that there needs to be limitations placed on drinking at local festivals, especially if they are listed as "family" events.

I'm not a alcohol drinker, but I think drinking at festivals is part of the festival. Being a responsible person should be enforced, drunk or not.

It's unfortunate that there are so many people around seemingly incapable of exercising personal responsibility. We see this all the time as society becomes more coarse and violent. I agree with Marlene in that responsible drinkers should not be penalized for the violent behavior of a few. I think those intent on trouble could do their drinking before entering any venue. I think heightened security would help. It's just such a shame that any event degrades into this animalistic behavior that spoils fun for all. I hope this is not a sign of things to come at the start of the city's festival season.

People should learn self-control and shouldn't be allowed to spoil it for those of us that don't get plastered every time we go to a "family function". I'm so tired of a few bad apples spoiling the bunch.

If you'd like the typical community festival to be attended by about 25 people then yes, ban beer sales.

Absolutely not! Festivals should provide enough security personnel to deal with all potential problems. Beer isn't the problem; gangs are.

definately not definately not ! Better planning and security measures will curb these problems.

These festivals need to keep an eye on the "type" of people they let in. Every festival fight I've ever seen was between trashy people or kids. They also need to take some responsibility. I've seen way too many under-age kids drinking at festivals and it make me wonder why they're still getting away with it. The people who are responsible about drinking shouldn't have to be punished for the idiots in the world.

Banning beer at these festivals is not practical, the majority of these festivals are run by local church's, charitable and community groups as fund raisers and the biggest profit center at a festival is beer sales. The music, large expensive tents and port-a-johns do not show up by magic, they are all paid for with beer sales. Before any of these groups sells one single glass of beer they have 10's of thousands of dollars invested in these festivals, ending beer sales ends all of the festivals. It is possible to have a festival that sells beer and caters to an older, mature crowd and not have problems, rather then banning beer maybe we need to ban young and dumb.

I think an outright ban is a punishment on the vast majority of society who can handle themselves appropriately. The responsibility shoud rest on those selling the alcohol at these events.

Maybe your question should be: "Should the penalties for unruly drunk people at festivals be stricter?" or "Should people be actually be responsible for their actions?" Nope I say STUPID PEOPLE should be banned at community festivals. Now that would be novel!

Yes and it should be banned in taverns like the Buckhorn Inn in Franklin because one of the over-served patrons killed a couple with his van while under the influence. Drinking at taverns has gotten out of hand so we should ban the sale of alcohol at all of them. Maybe we could save even more lives with reenacting Prohibition.

Ban the thugs. Ban the "hip hop". Don't penalize those that are out to enjoy themselves, those that have money to spend. Who do you want as your festival goers??? Trashy, ghetto gangs or decent, responsible persons who know how to behave in public???? Beer is not the issue.

Well, in Muskego we have elected officials demanding free beer at our city festival so I which is worse gang members causing problems or arrogant elected officials.

Seems rap music brings the rowdies, I guess. As far as no alcohol sales hurting attendance, you might want to check out the Walworth County Fair. It's been "dry" forever, and has between 150,000-190,000 people there every year.

Beer sales should be banned at family festivals in Greenfield. The risk of this happening again and someone getting seriously hurt or worse is worth the restriction.

Beer sales should be banned at these events. Unfortunately there are enough idiots out there that have to act like morons everytime they drink that they are ruining it for everyone that likes to have a few beers. The problem is that there will still be idiots causing problems without beer being served. We live in a f***** up society, especially in "dirty stallis" as it is referred to, and for good reason. Take a good look around this area and where it has gone in the past 10 years. These events used to be good clean family events, now look at them. More people should go out to these things and see what is going on. Even Brewers games are getting bad, we took our kids to the game the other night, we could not believe how many falling down drunks, fights, profanities being yelled throughout the game etc... Look at the problems in our schools, restraunts (chuck e cheese on Hwy 100 armed sercurity????), etc.. what is the greater problem here????

Can't wait to see St. Al's festival 92-Greenfield this friday and saturday night. People should come out and see what type of people are at these things. Any predictions on arrests or fights??? That crowd keeps getting worse each year.

No - stupid people should

Yes I believe that beer sales should be restricted and the sale of beer should end at 7 pm. The city has a lot of rules for the rental the Konkel Park but for this festival it looks like they have no rules. As long as some one can make money the rules are not enforced.

If I heard the story correctly on the news, most of the unruly and fighting people at the Dan Jasen Family Fest, it was people in their late teens, mostly in a "teen tent". If it was sales of beer to these people that caused them to be unrulely, who was selling them the beer? The sales of beer were not the issue, the issue was poorly raise young adults causing problems. Train security to stop problems before they start. Banning beer sales is not the answer to solving the problems at community festivals.

What if we devised and implemented a system that would red flag anyone previously named in any incident report to the police department; by a quick scan/ check of their driver’s license by local officers assigned to the entrance of the beer tent or where you obtain a wrist band to prove you’re of legal age. With all of today’s technology we have access to, it has to be possible, and without becoming very costly; after all, a routine traffic stop reveals your entire history in a few minutes, right? I bet the officers being paid overtime to respond to all summertime disaster dispatching, is significantly more than a preventative plan like this would be. Las Vegas calls it “86-ing” a suspicious and/ or repeat offender; maybe we should follow suit and protect our vested interest, rather than preventing everyone’s fun (and fundraising), all because of a group of ignorant, immature criminals, unable of socializing or social drinking.

No, don't ban beer sales. Rather, enforce current drinking laws, do not play rap/hip hop music and start charging a minor fee to enter the festival. These practices should stop the ghetto/trailer trash thugs from coming.

Alcohol sales should continue. Muskego Fest has a fine reputation for monitoring alcohol consumption. There have been very few issues if any at all.

Hey Franklin...that's a very fascist solution you have there! Punish everyone because a tiny percentage are stupid. Most problems as festivals are young people, so they should be monitored carefully. Other than that, if taverns serve obvious drunks and they get in an accident, maybe the tavern needs to be held partially liable. Prohibition? Are you nuts?

are you serious?? Alcohol is not the problem here?? Granted people's actions are also to blame, but you are not "in control" when you are under the influence-time to wake up people--why is it that we can't go anywhere or do anything without alcohol??????

No! This is about personal responsibility, not further restrictions on our rights! If we continue to tell people what to do when, how will we ever moderate for ourselves? Enough is enough with being told how to live.

No

if you don't sell beer, you may as well cancel the festival. the majority that go, are beer drinkers--it's why they go. they need to enforce checking IDs and have undercover cops walking the grounds making sure there is no underage drinking. i personally don't drink much, but i do know that beer is a huge profit. if the point is to raise money, then don't cancel the beer.

No, beer sales should not be banned from community festivals. Individuals who don't control their drinking should be banned!

You can't even take a family there past dark! It's terrible. Who needs the beer.

No, alchol should not be banned. I've attended the festival every year since it started. Problems that come about are not from the result of adults drinking beer and having a good time. The problems come from those that think of violence as a hobby. They don't give a darn about the law or anyone but themselves. These people aren't the ones buying beer at the festivals. They, more often than not, show up and not spend a dollar the entire time they are there. If they are drunk, they usually showed up that way, or are drinking from the vodka mix in the gatorade bottle they smuggled in. Don't blame the rap music either. The same trouble makers were there before the "teen tent" was introduced. The problems were caused on the midway and other areas of the park before they were caused in the "rap tent." These are the same people, by the way, causing the fights and damage in the neighborhoods near the park, not those who were under the beer tent all night. Basically, what it comes down to, is that the actions of some, because of lack of morals, paranting, and respect, cause fear and problems for everyone else. Then the planning comittee and city officials are blamed and responsible citizens are faced with possibly losing what helps make a festival a festival. Despite these people, I for one, will not stop attending, thus letting them win.

Why should those who play by the rules suffer because of those who do not?

I don't understand why we should ALL be penalized for a few low grade people. The overwhelming majority of the festival attendees don't have any problem with the alcohol being served. We must stop trying to legislate morality and intelligence it simply doesn't work, we have system in place call the penal code for dealing with people when they don't abide by the current laws. This is one unfortunate event that of course no one wants to see repeated but lets not have a knee jerk reaction. Also to those who don't want their children at "family" events where alcohol is served that is your priority, simply don't bring your children or leave when the crowd is not what you would like to expose your child to.

I think some responsibility is in oreder, i also think that there was more than alchohol involved in what happens at some of these festivals,the people who are selling the beer need to be able to tell who has had enough and shut them off. I don't think the communities should be punished.

I agree that Community Festivals have gotten out of hand. I don't think that beer sales should be banned, but the focus should be on the community. Because these events have become fund raisers they try to draw in from out side of the community. These events should remain local and not look for big name band's to draw in lots of people from out side the community or church group.

Yes, I believe that beer should be banned from Community Festivals. The reason for these festivals have shifted from "COMMUNITY" to "MONEY MAKER" Events. It's not about introducing yourself to the community, but how much money can I make from Beer, Bingo, or Pull Tab sales, at your expense. Let's get back to the three "F's" – Family Friendly Festivals.

Set up a controlled area like a beer garden.Keep all alcohol consumption within the perimeters of the garden were it would be easier to monitor anyone who is misbehaving. Check I.D. and issue a wrist band (color coded) that would indicate the proper ID check has been done to help eliminate any under age drinking.

It's not the beer....it's the rap music.

I would not blame it on alcohol. They need private security.That is too big of an event for a small community police force to do a decent job. I would have more small kid rides that attract families.Those larger rides appear to attract groups of teenagers which unfortuneatly turns into trouble.

If we ban beer sales to go along with all the other laws that are infringing on our personal freedoms then where will it end? We must fight the future and stop going along to get along. We ae slowly but surely turning into a gestapo state. By not standing up and saying NO then we are complicit in the making of any future laws that inhibit our behavior in the future.

It is not the beer its the rap/hiphop that does it night clubs learned that a long time ago its about time that the festivals did

No way! I was there all three days and i saw alot of people bringing in Pabt - Bud beer even hard liquor. I really don't think the fest was selling that stuff - just Miller. So if you stop selling beer the cheapskates will still bring in there own stuff - They are the idiots!!!

If you ban the beer, most festivals will cease to exist. I know that it is impossible to do, but too bad festivals can't limit how much beer is served to an individual in one evening. If you don't want your children to be exposed to bad public behavior, don't keep them out at festivals when the crowds get wild and drunk. This is more of a pet peeve for me - parents who won't sacrifice their social life and keep their kids out too late. Also, I've seen newborn babies in those loud concert tents. What is with people? People who are that selfish probably won't control how much they drink either. They'll be the ones who drive home drunk...with their kids in the backseat. Normal people can enjoy a couple of beers and leave before things get out of hand.

I would like to know how many of you who responded actually witnessed the altercations. I did and so did my high school nephew. IT WAS MOSTLY TEENAGERS. They were there from all areas and of all races. It was gangs and groups and they were not drinkers - they were looking for trouble. I never saw so many police officers doing crowd control but the amount of teenagers was overwelming. My nephew was bullied and they tried to start fights. The primary cause was not alcohol, it was teenagers looking for trouble. Remember the school days we would gather in a circle to watch two kids fight - it was barbaric and we did it without alcohol. Now a days its tenfold ( riots when a team wins a world series ).

Start selling beer no earlier than 6:00 pm and stop by11:00. This gives the family their time during the day to enjoy the rides and games and head out before alcohol realated incidents have a chance to occur.

I believe a lot of the people come to the festivals for the beer, unfortunately. I do believe they should be banded, but I do not think it will help only because people find ways around not drinking at certain areas, like getting drunk or start drinking before the parties. Therefore, I do not know if banning beer will help.

I've lived in Greenfield for nearly 10 years, not more then a mile walk from Konkel park. I've been to just as many Dan Jansen fests. This year was different from most years. There were individuals there that shouldn't have been there. I remember mentioning to my wife on way more then one occasion throughout that night, "These kids do not belong here... Where are the police?." Yet there were no police until everything started going down. In my opinion they need to schedule any events directed at teenagers to end at dusk. If they had ended and closed that hip hop tent or whatever it was before it got dark none of this would have happened. The kids would have disbursed to other "parties" and we'd not be discussing this right now.

I wa sout of the country when this happened so this is the first I'm hearing of it. Most of the areas festivals are fundraisers for churches (I know Jansen Fest isn't, but most are). I would imagine a huge drop off in attendance would happen at these events if they stopped selling booze (as horrible as that sounds at a church organized event). This would hurt, possibly even shut down a ton of Milwaukee's parishes if these festivals took a big drop in attendance. So it really is a tough decision.

Let's visit WHY people go to festivals: 1. Music 2. Beer And usually the beer is way better than the music.

Ban the thugs and TAX the beer! If the governor threw another tax on beer at these festivals, the thugs could not pay it, others could, then we could erase the states financial short falls. You can't ban beer because it pays for everything else. That is why these festivals survive! Wisconsin is a drunk state, if you get rid of the beer, you might as well have a spelling bee, as you main form of entertainment! Send all the idiots to a festival 30 miles east of here, and call it "Can they float fest?" If so, then they can still attend.

Beer sales should not be banned. I would have to agree that the arrested invidiuals would not have been at this event if a "rap" band was not performing. In my opinion you ask for trouble if you ask the wrong band to perform. I am very upset with this situation and hopefully the arrested individuals get what they deserve and not a hand slap. Too much passiveness to the wrong doers continues this behavior in society today.

I'm not sure where "family festival" and "beer" equate "good time had by all." If you want to attract families, the attractions need to be fun for the whole family, not just the over-21 or fake-ID crowd. Community festivals featuring cheap beer will always attract an unwanted element. Consider limiting the hours in which alcoholic beverages can be served, limiting the number allowed to be served to any visitor, and increasing useful security willing to put a stop to questionable behavior and willing to escort the unruly out of the gates. If you want to continue serving alcoholic beverages at festivals, you need to be prepared for the consequences of that choice.

I don't think the beer sales should be banned. Agreeing with a prior comment, the beer is what pays the bills at the end of the day. Beef up the security and don't blame these fights on rap music. Reading todays news, it appeared that the first fight was located in a 102.1 FM tent and another fight in the Harley Davidson tent. I wasn't there but I'm pretty confident that rap music was not playing in those tents.....

How about some responsible parenting instead? It's not the beers fault.

These organizations need the beer sales revenue to keep afloat. Banning beer sales would likely wipe out some of the organizations completely. How about making people take some kind of a common-sense/personal responsibility IQ test. Then give those people who pass the quiz a wristband that allows them to have alcohol. The rest can be assigned a social worker...or put in a separate tent so they can fight with each other in some kind of a 'survival of the fittest' brawl. It's sad that these stupid, immature, irresponsible people have to wreck a good time for the rest of us who know better than to get so out of control.

Unfortunately, our society is and has always had the "platoon" mentality. Meaning, that the actions of about 5% of the population lead to the creation of the rules that we all need to abide by. Unless we bring back the 18th Amendment, you're never going to stop idiots from getting liquored up and acting out in a public setting. People need to be responsible for their own actions, and for some, time behind bars is what's needed. I don't see beer sales at festivals as the problem, as much as I see the lack of common sense being the real issue. And don't just point the finger at the "hip-hop" crowd either. I've worked the last few years at the 'Tosa Fest beer tent, and seen more than my fair share of white trash morons who don't know how to handle themselves when they have had too many. Maybe more security at these events is part of the solution, but I'm not sure it's the be-all, end-all either.

Yes! What message are we sending our children when they see drinking and violence together. If we say no we're saying drinking and violence is okay.

Abosolutely. Heavy drinkers are at all of these alchohol saturated festivals and even get in their cars and hit the roads without any monitoring of how much they've consumed. I have much experience walking our children through these fairs and they stare at the drinkers who laugh and speak louder with a swaggered walk. It is scary for youngsters. Children should never be allowed inside taverns or "outside taverns". How about our smoking ban. Can it be made law, also for smokers to have a smoking section so children and elderly do not have to walk amongst that also? We have elders on oxygen who have their health rights. We, as a community of loving Wisconsites, need to take care and watch over on another. Thankks for reading.

No. We cannot regulate everything, but we can up security. This is an issue of self-restraint and self- control. Those are qualities that cannot be "regulated", but instead should be expected of every festival goer in attendance.

NO

im 17 years old attending sm high school and it is not the beer. the beer is what the churches-community make the majority of their profit off of. i can agree that something needs to be done with the teeneagers and young adults at these events. i know alot of kis who go to these events just to cause trouble. they go there chill with thier groups and look to cause problems and fights.ive come to realize that this is just how society is. i believe better security and more police "policing" the area will help improve where festivals have gone these past 10 years.

How about banning the RAP tents that bring in the trouble makers in the first place. Adults listen to live music, don’t drink to excess, don’t start fights and DON’T listen to RAP. Follow the rule of the 3 B’s for a safe festival; bands, bikers and beer. Trust me; the punks will mind their manners. If beer is banned, you might as cannel the event, no one with money in their pocket will bother showing up.

Does a loaded gun kill someone if it sits on a table? Does a mason jar full of beer make someone drunk just by sitting on table all by itself? It is "no" to both of them. A gun needs to be aimed and fired by someone. A beer needs to be drunk by someone in sufficient enough amounts to get drunk. The problem is not the items, but the person in possession of the items. It is that simple. Responsible people behave responsibly. Those that aren't, well...we know what happens. The hardest part is deciding on who to serve and not to serve. This is not an easy thing to do at all. Here is an idea. A wrist band that has tabs on it that get removed - one tab per beer and have three tabs available. After the third tab is used, the wrist band is removed. No wristband and tab, no beer. Pick a fight over that and it a visit to the Graybar Hotel. Also, the person getting the beer has to be present at the counter to get it and give up one of the tabs. No proxy purchases. In order to get the wristband, ID has to be presented. No ID, no wristband. Plus, if the same ID is used twice in the same day, no luck on that case either. Now the rowdies - same thing - mess up - guaranteed visit to the Graybar Hotel. Until society decides to behave in a responsible manner, then this will keep happening and I don't see that happening any time soon.

The sooner people in this region learn that it is not necessary to consome alcohol to have a good time and to attract customers to events, the better off we all will be... even the drinkers. Especially the drinkers... just turn sideways and look in the mirror, ladies and gentlemen. Do you really need to be downing another beer?

Help! I've fallen and I can't reach my beer!

Ban alcohol at festivals? Ridicuolous. Banning alcohol(beer) at festivals would simply be punishing the many because of the few trouble makers. We are way too eager these days to punish the honest hardworking people who cause no trouble. Think of the funds that are raised by these groups. In Thiensville, we have no troubles, sell many a beer and raise monies for charities...and the fire association!! COME TO THIENSVILLE!! Best celebrations on the north shore. Lions Fest, Family Fun before the Fourth(best parade on the North Shore) And the Suburban Harley Street Dance in July..See you there!

Yes, beer should be banned at community festivals! Apparently, there are people who cannot enjoy themselves without alcohol, a lot of alcohol. In turn, they are ruining the fun for other folks. Community festivals are supposed to bring people together, build up the sense of happy togetherness. Those who cannot be part of this activity can stay away. They won't be missed!

It's very unfortunate that things like this arise at "famliy festivals" due to the fact people for whatever reason (alcohol or whatever other reason they think is important) don't want to act right. I am all for banning alcohol at family events. If an event, such as a concert is geared only for adult, let them drink, but when your bringing children and people act stupid, putting themselves and others in harms way it's not fair to the people who actualy WANT to have family fun time. If you can't handle liquor, then maybe you need to STOP drinking it. It's selfish of those who do this kind of thing an ruin it for others.

I am not a drinker; and dont understand why you cant have a good time without a beer or cocktail in your hand. Changes need to be made!

Ok, ban beer because a bunch of underage gangsters are causing trouble, brilliant idea. That will solve it!

If they drink make them a felony. Have their guns taken away and voting. Also their family would be on welfare. But if it was a illegal immigrant, the Governor would bend over backwards for them and all there family

NO BEER = NO REVENUE = NO FESTIVALS, GET IT?

Terrance, there WAS rap music at both the Harley Tent and the 102.1 tent. Those businesses just provided the tents, they didn't dictate what went on under them. I was working that whole festival and it was the north side thugs who ruined the whole thing. This year was especially out of control. There were cops everywhere, as well as private security. Ironically, this was the first year Jansen fest hired outside security. The cops were everywhere, but they were overwhelmed. I don't think beer should be banned, but limits need to be set. As for church festivals, I find something a little wrong with churches making money off of alcohol.

Beer sales are ok with me.simply limit the purchases to one individual.

It is not enough of an issue to conider banning beer sales across the board. We are holding our 2nd annual Festival next week and have taken extra security measures to prevent this type of behavior. Being proactive on the behavior at a festival is what keeps the peace. I also feel that each community/area of Milwaukee has different types of patrons, unfortunately The Dan Jansen Festival brought in too many young groups vs. families.

Sure, why not? That would fall perfectly in line with Wisconsins new "Nanny goverment" image.

I think the problem is obvious - it's not the beer it's the trash from Milwaukee. Why don't we make the festival free for Greenfield residents and charge all who do not live in the community a fee. Everyone should have to show ID and Limiting the amount of beer sold to an individual would also help with the achohol problem but probably not solve it. Get rid of the Midway - just rides for the younger children.

Get rid of the idiots. Gee ,the Journal Sentinel comes up with all these ideas for new laws to solve societal ills... What? Was 1984 that great of year???

I once attended a 4th of July festival at a lake front park called Twin Coves. One cove hosted the “beer drinkers and hell raisers” while the other was the location of that years’ Soberfest. During the course of the evening 4 Soberfest revelers were arrested for disorderly conduct and shortly after the fireworks began, the Soberfest cove was set aflame by their sober coordinators and their sober fireworks. The entire area was evacuated, ruining the evening for everyone in both coves. Not one of the drunken cove attendees were cited, arrested or injured anyone. Responsible drinking and proper enforcement of public safety by the festival staff and local police should be enough. Judging by the size of the lines at the beer trailers Vs. the Corn Shack, beer and wine sales at festivals represent a “Lions” share of the revenue for the causes these festivals serve. Besides, I love watching drunk hillbillies dance in small spaces to substandard music at South Milwaukee festivals.

I find it interesting that Dan Jansen Family Fest is sited as the example here. The beer sales had nothing to do with the violent events that occurred there. As others have said, it was teenagers (who were not allowed in the beer tent) who caused the problem from the accounts that I've heard. Why is this used as an example of beer sales being a problem at festivals? If beer sales are banned at festivals, look for far fewer festivals to occur as a result. The fact is that beer sales are by far the biggest money-maker for the groups holding the festival. Without beer sales, many would cease because the rest of the activities offered would not generate enough revenue to make it worth the effort to hold the activity. So I guess the real question is - Do you want better policing of the few unruly attendees of festivals or do you want far fewer festivals? Oh and by the way, since many of the troublemakers can't even go into a beer tent, do you think they will stay away just because there is no beer tent at the event?

No beer sales should not be banned. Police should however arrest drunk and disorderly festival goers and underage drinkers just like they should anytime...

Everyone should be required to take a mandatory IQ test each year. Those say, under a 124 or 5(?), don't get to drink. Those over, do.

it's bad enough a person cannot smoke in a restaurant and now someone wants to take away the beer? I say why have the festivals? The area where music and beer are sold have to be where the profits are comming in.The parents are in the beer tent and their kids are on the rides. Thats the way it was years ago and still should be. I think more security officers should be looking out for people who are too intoxicated,before it gets too bad,have buses out there to transport them back home. This is my opinion and I am sticking to it.

There is enough government control the the US already. City's, States and the Federal Government is regulating nearly every aspect of our lives. If they want to keep making laws they should move to Cuba. If there are any troube makers the police will handle it and hopefully teach the irresponsible a lesson.

My thought is that if you have to purchase a ticket to enter, you should also be able to purchase beer tickets with a punch card for alcohol at the front gate as well. When you reach the maximum of drinks on your punch card, you're no longer able to purchase beer. That way everyone who comes can still enjoy being there and everyone is limited to a few beers. And if you don't have all the beer that's allowed on your punch card, you have the option to consider it a donation in funds to the festival or get a refund. when you leave.

YES!!!! Alcohol should be banned everywhere. Same with smoking & Harley's. Ban them all.

Unless some way is found to limit the number of drinks a person can buy and to control the undesirables, I'd say that it is reasonable for the police to call for prohibition at select festivals.

I go to a festival to have a beer or two so NO!

Removing alcohol will destroy the financial profitability of the festival. If you want to eliminate problems, eliminate the midway.

I don't think that banning beer would solve anything. People are still going to find a way to drink.

Dan, Which Muskego city official are you referring to?

no beer-no festivals! the beer pays for the live entertainment!

The sale of beer is an economic one. One of our local church festivals stopped selling beer and their profit for the festival dropped 45%. That is a lot of money to lose! If we want to be the city of festivals, alcoholic beverages are a evil necessity. The hard fact is that festivals cost money to run and where is the lost beer revenue going to come from?

I think Frank Lin should stay in his house and keep playing with his Star Wars Action Figures. Stupid people should be banned, not the beer.

How about- start a fight, do a MANDITORY MONTH in the pokey!

WHAT ARE YOU NUTS?!?! IF MY FACTS ARE CORRECT THE IDIOTS THAT WERE ARRESTED AT JANSEN FEST WERE ALL MINORS OR UNDERAGE, SO WHY USE THAT AS AN EXCUSE TO PENALIZE THE REST OF THE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS WHO ARE THERE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND HAVE A COUPLE OF BEERS IN THE PROCESS? THE MEDIA NEED NOT STIR UP SUCH IDEAS. AND A NOTE TO MARLENE ZARLING, I DON'T KNOW WHICH CHURCH FESTS YOU HAVE GONE TO BUT MOST OF THEM HAVE HAD TO STEP UP SECURITY OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS. ST ROMANS REFUSES ENTRY TO ANYONE WEARING WHAT THEY CONSIDER "GANG COLORS". MY SOLUTION TO ALL OF THIS IS TO LET THE POLICE DO THEIR JOBS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM POLITICIANS, THE MEDIA AND CITIZENS AND OUR CITIES WILL BE SAFE JUST LIKE BACK IN THE DAYS OF MILWAUKEE POLICE CHIEF HAROLD BRIER (R.I.P.)

No, beer sales shouldn't be banned. First off, a responsible bar-tender, which is a requirement, will hopefully cut off individuals who have had too much to drink. Secondly, beer sales can bring in money, so the sponsors of the events can benefit from the revenue.

I don't think there is a direct relationship between drinking excessively and violent behavior. You assume way too much here. I've been in lots of taverns over the years, at many private parties, and even in my home with my wife when I've observed excessive alcohol consumption from time to time. Yet, the people I hang out with aren't violent, drunk or sober. If you kept alcohol away from the violence-prone jerks, they'd still be violence-prone jerks. Of course, then they might stay away from your fesitval, so it could solve the problem in a roundabout way. Keeping alcohol away from me at a festival will have no impact whatsoever on my behavior, although I might not stay as long if there were no beer tent.

I don't know why people don't see it for what it is. We have taken all responsibilty away from where it belongs, poor parenting and immoral people. We have raised up a bunch of disrespectful brats who only care about themselves and all their lives had had excuses made for them. Had they had to take responsibilty for the small indescresions through out their lives maybe they wouldn't behave this way. Instead of blaming inanimate substances for the misbehavior of a few lets actually blame the few and hand out very harsh punishments, not just at festivals but everywhere. It is time people start acting like human beings again instead of animals.

Why do you need beer to have a good time anyway?

lets get rid of funnel cakes because they cause obesity, and rides because they can cause whiplash (or worse - death), and bands because of the risk of hearing loss, etc. and so on... IS THIS AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE OR NOT? You can not control everything people do and when rules are made and freedom's taken away you are implementing fear in follwers who are persuaded by fear, thus the villians gain power. Not to mention beer is a money maker AND this IS Wisconsin, people come here expecting to drink beer. I personally don't touch the stuff due to an allergy, but what a silly debate!

What kind of a dumb question is this? This is WI and people just need to realize that they need to be responsible when it comes to drinking. Who ever thought of even asking such an idiotic thing should just stay home. But I do have to say banning any kind of firearms should be the case at all festivities drinking is involved in.

A festival does not need alchol to be successful. All that comes of this is more tax revenue so the politicans can spend more money foolishly. Bring back family values. Wisconsin is an alcholic party state which causes harm to the innocent people. get smart wis. vote the incumbents out of office. we are not winning with the present politicans that can't think.

How about a ban on new laws?

It's a shame a few people how can't use there brains, ruin a good thing for thousands of people. IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE YOUR ALCOHOL. STAY HOME!!!!!!!

No beer at a Milwaukee festival? I can't even bellieve I am reading about something so foolish. Having a few beers with friends is what festivals are about!!

Tarzan says to never drink and swing from vines. Always better to walk back to tree.

If you can't drink ... stay home! Distrust Non-Drinkers

Again - the media twists the facts to make for interesting reading. The problem at DJ Fest was not beer - beer drinkers - or the music that was played. It was the a few members within a generation of teens that have been raised to expect immediate gratification at any level so they are not "bored". There are some parents who cannot or will not instill morals and respect for others in their children. So without a remote in their hand to simulate viloence and tough guy moves on a video game, these teens try and play the tough guy themselves and look for trouble. Mom and dad don't give a darn - at least these kids are out of the house and not bothering them. We are in the midst of a generation of young adults who believe excitement at any cost is owed to them, respect for others is unnecessary, and being tough means they are "adults". Stop beer sales? That won't change a thing except the financial situation of the festival.

How about holding those businesses that serve alcohol civilly liable for injuries resulting from overserving attendees? It's called a "Dram Shop" law, and Wisconsin doesn't have one, but Illinois does. Wisconsin generally holds such entities IMMUNE from liability. So tell me, if they are IMMUNE from liability, what incentive do they have to not overserve alcholic beverages. To assume the drinker will have "personal responsibility" is just stupid.

yolanda from south milw they should not allow drinking at these events , people get drunk and they dont watch their children! then they drive home !!!??

Rap music? Are you people serious? What festival's are you going to that blast rap music?

BAN THE BEER, what's the matter, you people so much addicted to alcohol that if you 'can't get a fix' during the festival you are going to go into withdrawal???? Get loaded before and after if you are that dependant, use your time at the festival to reach some level of soberness (for a change).