This year’s Sacramento Rainbow Festival will make history as the first event held under the city’s newly created Entertainment Zone ordinance.The longtime pride celebration, now in its 37th year, takes place Sunday in the Lavender Heights district. For the first time, attendees will be able to drink alcoholic beverages outside of the bars and within designated boundaries.“It feels great to be able to do something like that,” said Myron “Terry” Sidie, owner of Faces, a popular nightclub at 20th and K streets. “I like it, but I worry about it.”Sidie says while the new ordinance is exciting, it also brings a sense of responsibility for neighborhood businesses.“We are kind of responsible outside. Because whatever happens in the neighborhood is a reflection on each one of us here,” said Sidie.The City Council approved the entertainment zone law back in June, designating three areas of Sacramento where people can openly drink during permitted events. Rainbow Fest will be the first to test it. To keep things organized, the Midtown Association will oversee tickets, wristbands and cups.”The city really stepped up on their own and said, ‘We want to bring this to you,’ which is such a positive business culture, and we really celebrate the city for that,” said Emily Baime Michaels, executive director of the Midtown Association. “We’re super excited to see this happen this weekend.Michaels said after learning of the business boost the entertainment zones brought to small businesses in other cities, including San Francisco, the Midtown Association quickly stepped up to help facilitate them in Sacramento.”This is not New Orleans. It’s not Mardi Gras, where you can have that beer and walk for miles and miles. But specifically within the event footprint, you’re able to have a beer from within a bar and bring it out onto the street,” Michaels said.People consuming alcohol within the event space must have a wristband confirming they are of-age, a branded cup that indicates the drink was purchased and filled within the confines of the festival and partakers must stay within the footprint of the event.Michaels said the business community has been a part of preparing for this change, continuing to stress their intention to remain compliant with the rules and to keep their customers safe and entertained. “If you take your drink outside, you can’t bring your drink back in. And don’t bring your own drink to put in your cup outside, because that will get you thrown out of the grounds,” said Sidie.Sacramento police will also increase patrols in the area.“We’re going to have additional staffing in the area to ensure people are able to follow the law safely and keep themselves safe, keep the people around them safe, and just make it a positive weekend for everyone,” Allison Smith with the department said.The Rainbow Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $10 presale or $15 at the gate. City leaders, including the mayor, are expected to attend and share remarks.The event takes place at 20th and K Streets. Thousands of people are expected to attend.“Just do it fair. Have fun,” Sidie added. “Ask for water. We sell that too.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
This year’s Sacramento Rainbow Festival will make history as the first event held under the city’s newly created Entertainment Zone ordinance.
The longtime pride celebration, now in its 37th year, takes place Sunday in the Lavender Heights district. For the first time, attendees will be able to drink alcoholic beverages outside of the bars and within designated boundaries.
“It feels great to be able to do something like that,” said Myron “Terry” Sidie, owner of Faces, a popular nightclub at 20th and K streets. “I like it, but I worry about it.”
Sidie says while the new ordinance is exciting, it also brings a sense of responsibility for neighborhood businesses.
“We are kind of responsible outside. Because whatever happens in the neighborhood is a reflection on each one of us here,” said Sidie.
The City Council approved the entertainment zone law back in June, designating three areas of Sacramento where people can openly drink during permitted events. Rainbow Fest will be the first to test it.
To keep things organized, the Midtown Association will oversee tickets, wristbands and cups.
“The city really stepped up on their own and said, ‘We want to bring this to you,’ which is such a positive business culture, and we really celebrate the city for that,” said Emily Baime Michaels, executive director of the Midtown Association. “We’re super excited to see this happen this weekend.
Michaels said after learning of the business boost the entertainment zones brought to small businesses in other cities, including San Francisco, the Midtown Association quickly stepped up to help facilitate them in Sacramento.
“This is not New Orleans. It’s not Mardi Gras, where you can have that beer and walk for miles and miles. But specifically within the event footprint, you’re able to have a beer from within a bar and bring it out onto the street,” Michaels said.
People consuming alcohol within the event space must have a wristband confirming they are of-age, a branded cup that indicates the drink was purchased and filled within the confines of the festival and partakers must stay within the footprint of the event.
Michaels said the business community has been a part of preparing for this change, continuing to stress their intention to remain compliant with the rules and to keep their customers safe and entertained.
“If you take your drink outside, you can’t bring your drink back in. And don’t bring your own drink to put in your cup outside, because that will get you thrown out of the grounds,” said Sidie.
Sacramento police will also increase patrols in the area.
“We’re going to have additional staffing in the area to ensure people are able to follow the law safely and keep themselves safe, keep the people around them safe, and just make it a positive weekend for everyone,” Allison Smith with the department said.
The Rainbow Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $10 presale or $15 at the gate. City leaders, including the mayor, are expected to attend and share remarks.
The event takes place at 20th and K Streets. Thousands of people are expected to attend.
“Just do it fair. Have fun,” Sidie added. “Ask for water. We sell that too.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel