Permit applications for future “temporary entertainment district” (TED) events are being accepted by the City of Wichita Division of Arts and Cultural Services. Because of the joint enforcement responsibilities of local government and the state’s Division of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) department, city staff are continuing to work on the regulatory process to ensure the success of future TED events.

The attached Question & Answer document is intended educate future applicants and members of the public regarding the current application process. Future event applicants will be advised of any further refinements in the process. Applicants are encouraged to work both with local officials and the state ABC Division to ensure full compliance with existing statutes, ordinances and regulations.

The Wichita Police Department and City of Wichita Law Department also are stressing the importance of enforcement of current liquor ordinances. Alcohol consumption on public streets and sidewalks is strictly limited to approved TEDs such as the July 31 event and is only allowed for the duration of the event.

Questions & Answers

Question: What is a “Temporary Entertainment District”?

A Temporary Entertainment District (TED) is a geographically defined area within the City of Wichita. Within a TED, alcohol consumption is allowed outside of a drinking establishment or a drinking establishment/restaurant, including any public streets and sidewalks. These districts, which exist for a limited period of time, are established by City ordinance and state law. The drinking establishments and drinking establishment/restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages in the district must be licensed and have been granted permission to sell alcohol within the time and physical confines of the TED.

Question: What does a promoter need to do to sell alcoholic liquor within a TED?

A promoter of a proposed TED must obtain a community event permit from the City of Wichita. Application for the city license should be made no less than 45 days prior to the TED event. The promoter or person providing alcohol sales at the TED event (if not the promoter) must apply for a temporary permit for alcohol sales from the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control within the time period required by that agency. The promoter or person providing alcohol sales at the TED event (if not the promoter) must also apply for a temporary permit for alcohol sales from the City of Wichita. The TED promoter must specify:

• The streets and sidewalks that will be closed if the TED event is approved;
• The geographic area in which the event will held;
• Who will be providing alcohol during the event;
• The hours of the event; and
• A general site safety/security plan must be established by the licensee.

Question: If a licensee of a drinking establishment or drinking establishment/restaurant wants to participate and sell alcohol in a TED event, what do they need to do?

• To participate, the business must be within the proposed TED, or adjacent to or abutting the premises of the TED event.
• To participate, the business must currently be licensed to sell alcoholic liquor.
• The business owner or licensee must have permission from the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to sell alcohol within the time and physical confines of the TED.
• The business owner or licensee should contact the promoter of the event through the City of Wichita Division of Arts and Cultural Services (462-2787)

Back to Top