Alcohol permit awarded to Six Flags

After more than a year of applying, pleading its case, and hearing limited protest, Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor may soon be allowed to sell alcohol in both parks. The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission okayed a recommendation on Wednesday of this past week granting a mixed-beverage permit to the Arlington, TX theme parks.

Judge Tanya Cooper stated her opinion last month that theme parks that currently sell alcohol have not encountered any serious problems; seemingly implying that she did not expect Six Flags Over Texas or Hurricane Harbor to experience any either. The permit will become active in 20 days unless protesters submit a motion to rehear the proposition.

Not all agree that the alcohol permit is a good idea.

"I'm still worried about it," said Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, according to MSNBC. "I still think alcohol and rides and all that don't mix."

Six Flags Officials have been adamant that alcohol will only be sold in designated areas and guests will not be allow to walk freely with beer in-hand. This measure has alleviated some of the concerns local residents had with the measure.

"If they can keep the alcohol to a certain area, that would be great for me," Clint Pearce, resident of Arlington, told MSNBC. "I'd just keep my kids in certain areas of the park."

In her recommendation that the parks be granted the license, Judge Cooper wrote that Six Flags "has operated the amusement park where these Commission-issued permits and certificate are sought for several years, along with numerous other amusement parks similarly situated that serve alcoholic beverage choices, without any significant adverse effects."

Lifthill will report further on this developing story as more information is made available.