The multi-year Foxfield drinking saga continues, the latest chapter being the hearing regarding whether the ABC should yank their liquor license due to the drunkenness of many attendees. (The running joke, of course, being that UVa students are not aware of any horses being at Foxfield.) Foxfield organizers have made efforts to improve the event’s image over time, but the complaints continue to roll in after each spring and fall race. Given that Foxfield doesn’t actually need a liquor license (since people bring their own alcohol), the purpose of removing their liquor license is somewhat unclear. A ruling is expected by December. Peter Savodnik has the story in today’s Daily Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
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Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Without a liquor license for the event, anyone caught drinking at Foxfield could be charged with drinking in public under VA Code sec. 4.1-308. That would mean the end of Foxfield as we know it. The ABC probably isn’t commenting because they’d love to see the license yanked, and if people think it will have no effect they might be more inclined to ignore the hearing. I’m surprised the Progress didn’t explore the legalities involved more closely.
Uhhhhh, the fine for drinking in public is $20, sounds like the cost of a day of fun to me.
I think we should have "turn yourself in" day twice a year!
Everyone goes to foxfield, drinks heavily, then descend en masse on the courthouse steps to turn themselves in for public drunkenness. Imagine how much fun that would be?!?!? Sure beats watching horses run in a circle!
Since Foxfield is held on private property, why would they need an ABC license? They aren’t selling or distributing alcohol. The code section you cite refers to public drinking. It is my understanding that drinking at Foxfield doesn’t constitute public consumption. Foxfield is neither a restaurant, bar, or retail establishment. I could be wrong, but that seems to make sense.
It has always been my understanding that Foxfield obtained a license as a show of good faith, not because the law required them to do so.
Public in this sense doesn’t refer to ownership; if it did you could go down and drink Boone’s Farm in the parking lot of the Lucky 7 all night without fear of being hassled by cops (as long as you were nice to the clerk, anyway). Public means a place or event that is open to the general public, like a store, a privately owned parking lot, or sports event; it really doesn’t matter what the nature of the premises is. Places that have various types of licenses are specifically excluded from the law.
I know a lot of people assume that the Foxfield license is a courtesy, but if they allowed drinking before they got the license and no one did anything about it I expect it was more that no one bothered with it back before there were all the complaints you hear now. I could be wrong; this is not the sort of thing there’s a lot of case law on.
Lars has a better point that people might just say the hell with it and drink anyway. But another law allows the state to prosecute as keepers of a common nuisance anyone who keeps an establishment where alcohol is habitually consumed (or served, sold, made, etc.) illegally. An overzealous ABC board might be able to use this to get Foxfield shut down.
I’m not advocating any of this, despite the fact that you couldn’t pay me enough to go to Foxfield. I hate anal ABC boards and overly strict enforcement, and I hate the idea that they might be trying to kill Foxfield by stealth tactics so that concerned citizens wouldn’t bother to show up and be heard at the hearing.
"I’m not advocating any of this, despite the fact that you couldn’t pay me enough to go to Foxfield"
I wouldn’t be caught dead there myself. Personally I think it makes a better airport.