Booze in amusement parks
I notice with interest (this is being written on Wednesday) that the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may allow additional alcohol permits for Magic Springs and Crystal Falls in Hot Springs.
They have five, they want two more.
Really? To tell the truth, I have never been to Magic Springs or Crystal Falls. I was nonetheless a little surprised to find that alcohol was served at all in an amusement park. And that’s not because I’m any kind of temperance crusader.
Understand, I’m no teetotaler. However, I think there’s a time and a place for everything. I went online and got a look at some of the rides at Magic Springs. And to be honest, the last things I think belong together are those rides and alcohol.
You see, when I go to an amusement park, it’s to be amused. And I’m as amused by rides as any kid. If I want to have a drink, there are other venues, which do not include rides that take you up, down and around. No thankee.
I remember going to a midway in Memphis with the Baby Sister years ago. While waiting for our turns on a whirling ride, we were suddenly showered with – to put it delicately – someone’s slightly digested midway cuisine (By the way, the Baby Sister, though smaller, somehow managed to catch the worst of it, something I don’t think she’ll ever let me forget. But I digress).
The point is, add alcohol to the mix, and I’d bet that everyone would have to carry an umbrella through the midway for protection.
True, some folks may want to sit down and have some beer or wine while the kids go on their rides. But I don’t get that, either. Aren’t parents supposed to keep a sober eye on the kids? Especially in places like amusement parks?
The obvious answer is that the parks are wanting to attract adults, without kids to mind, who want to drink. Fine; fence off part of the park and simply open a bar for those folks.
Okay, I did another search and found that there is a growing national trend toward serving alcohol at amusement parks. The reason is money. Guess I just don’t understand the concept of family fun.
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Okay, lemme get this straight. Denver is now Peyton Place, and it’s Tebow Time in New York.
As Garfield would say: Big, fat, hairy deal.
Sorry, but my world does not begin and end with the National Football League in general, nor with the Broncos and Jets in particular. I much prefer college football. I know there are a lot of Dallas fans in this area, and that’s fine with me, but I don’t live and die with the ‘Boys, either. And when it comes to playoff time, I usually root more against than for some particular teams (which shall remain nameless).
I can’t help but wonder now – if the Jets thing goes through, will fans scream for Tim Tebow to replace all $40.5 million of Mark Sanchez? I also can’t help but wonder, what will happen the first time Peyton Manning gets blind sided – completely legally – by a 300-pound defensive lineman?
Looks like the coming NFL season is going to have some interesting aspects other than football.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: David Nichol’s column appears in the Times-Herald on Thursdays. Nichol is a member of the Times-Herald news team. He can be reached by e-mail at dnichol@thnews.com.)
