Staging a festival district

Planning, coordination vital for a district’s success, Columbians say

“Roots ’n Blues ’n Barbecue,” which is held annually in Columbia, has been a good example to help Jefferson City create a festival district. (File photo) Photo by News Tribune.

By Ben Yarnell

Sunday, March 27, 2011

The idea of a festival district might be a new concept for many residents in Jefferson City, but that isn’t the case everywhere in Mid-Missouri.

Just a half hour to the north, residents of Columbia are currently able to enjoy alcoholic beverages in public areas.

The most notable instances of such an opportunity is Columbia’s “Roots ’n Blues ’n Barbecue” Festival, which has been hosted in “The District” in downtown Columbia for the past four years.

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As interim Columbia City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins explained, there are some similarities between Columbia’s program and the proposed ordinance that the Jefferson City Council could potentially vote on as soon as April 4.