Changes on how event promoters and venues split profits from alcohol sales in Delaware may be on the horizon in part thanks to the Firefly Music Festival.
A new bill would allow the two entities to legally divvy up the sales from alcohol during the event. The law currently sends the entire pot to the venue owner.
Rep. William Carson (D-Smyrna) authored the bill and says this proposal will help attract musical and cultural events to the state.
“We didn’t really realize the way things worked with the current alcohol laws," said Carson. "In some negotiations with casino owners - in this case, Dover Downs, but it will work with for other casinos up too – this is what was agreed upon so everyone [will] benefit.”
Carson adds this move will help attract large events like Firefly that provide an economic boost up and down the state.
“[Firefly] far exceeded anyone’s expectations bringing in thousands of dollars in revenue to not just Central Delaware, but was such a success that the hotels in the region [including] North[ern] and South[ern] Delaware benefited from it too,” said Carson.
The Smyrna lawmaker notes that Dover Downs, Firefly organizers and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner all agreed on the bill.
The bill now heads to the Economic Development committee for consideration.
The Firefly Festival is scheduled to return to Dover June 21-23 this year.