This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Leaders at Southern Utah University say it will be fine to sell wine at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

The school's board of trustees expressed confidence last week that a request to sell wine at intermission meets all school and state alcohol laws, said Marvin L. Dodge, SUU vice president.

"Generally, when the primary audience for the event is students or when the sponsoring entity is a student group, permission to serve alcohol will be denied," Dodge said. But the festival serves "a different demographic than students and therefore the board felt more comfortable about it."

Dodge said the trustees did not take a formal vote on the festival's request because alcohol service is an administrative decision. Still the administration was seeking advice on the issue, since it would be the first time alcohol was sold at the annual festival that brings in thousands of theater fans from around the state and region.

SUU now will apply for special-event permits through the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC). Part of the permit process also requires consent from the Cedar City Council.

"Assuming the permit request is not denied by the City Council or DABC, we anticipate being able to complete this process and receive a permit before the end of this year's season," Dodge said. The Utah Shakespeare Festival begins previews this week and continues through October.

To get the special-event permits, SUU would have to follow DABC guidelines for service, namely creating a special alcohol garden on the roof of the festival's new outdoor Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre. Only those who are 21 and older would be allowed in the area, and drinks would be purchased on site. Alcohol would not be sold at performances in the indoor Randall Jones Theatre.

While special-event permits allow for the sale of beer, wine and spirits, SUU plans to just sell wine, said Dodge.