Citizens invited to hearing on alcohol sales at Six Flags venues

FORT WORTH?The issue of whether Six Flags should be allowed to serve beer, wine and mixed drinks at two of its parks in Arlington will be discussed Oct. 14-15 during a public hearing in Fort Worth conducted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Anyone wishing to offer an opinion can sign up by writing to TABC via e-mail at questions@tabc.state.tx.us or by mail at TABC Legal Division, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711.

Last December, the company’s Six Flags Over Texas amusement park and Hurricane Harbor water park announced their application for mixed-drink licenses, prompting 600 phone calls to TABC, 150 signatures to a petition against the license and a dozen letters of protest.

Six Flags officials claim the effort is in response to customer requests for beer and pledged that such sales would be handled responsibly and guest safety ensured. Despite their intention to introduce alcohol to what is regarded as a family-friendly venue, they counter that the alcohol will be served in specially marked cups in select, well-monitored locations by TABC-certified servers.

The public hearings will be held at the InnSuites Trinity Hotel and Suites at 2000 Beach Street in Fort Worth beginning at 10 a.m. Interested speakers should provide name, contact information and remarks they intend to make in advance to the TABC.