Hard liquor not OK at fairgrounds: Du Quoin State Fair tests idea, but liquor control board says 'no'

The Illinois Liquor Control Board has closed the door on selling hard liquor at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds during the annual Du Quoin State Fair, the state fair manager confirmed Tuesday.

Josh Gross, manager of the Du Quoin State Fair, said he approached the liquor control board about allowing hard liquor sales in limited circumstances at future state fairs. The idea was that it would be served at VIP events held by grandstand headliners, for fans who pay for the privilege to hobnob with the celebrities or musicians prior to the shows.

However, the liquor board told Gross last week it won't sign off on liquor, and Gross said Tuesday he won't pursue an appeal.

"From the state's perspective, the worry is that people who are drinking hard liquor can get more confrontational," Gross said.

Hard liquor is already permitted at private events hosted at the fairgrounds - like weddings or private business parties - Gross said. The question for the liquor commission board was only whether hard liquor could be served while the state fair was ongoing.

Hard liquor is also prohibited at the State Fair in Springfield, he added.

Meanwhile, the Du Quoin City Council on Monday voted down a proposal by Mayor Guy Alongi that would have the city agree to hard liquor sales at the fairgrounds - to be ready in case the state liquor board ever changes its mind.

None of the commissioners appeared to be opposed to the idea of hard liquor at the fairgrounds (although a straw vote was not taken), but ultimately decided to let the state take the lead on this issue. They voted unanimously to not pass an ordinance approving hard liquor sales at the fairgrounds.

Gross said he approached Alongi with the idea during the time the liquor control board was deliberating the matter. Now, since the answer is "no," he doesn't see much point in pursuing it.