Will You Be Que'n in Cumming With No Beer?

The third-annual barbecue competition in Cumming will be another dry one, despite organizers' plans for the addition of a Beer Garden.

After its October vote to allow for special permits for beer to be served at Cumming Fairgrounds events, the city council last night—in a surprise move—voted 4 to 1 to deny the National BBQ Cup's application to serve beer at its upcoming competition, reports the Forsyth County News. It was to be the first event allowed to serve beer at the city's 235 Castleberry Road facility.

The two-day National BBQ Cup, a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned competition, will be open to the public Friday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to its website. A Beer Garden also was set to be open during those hours, according to the Cup's schedule, which includes People's Choice samplings, live entertainment and a raffle.

The event, which benefits three local charities—Bald Ridge Lodge, Jesse’s House, and Forsyth Community Connection—also will include a "variety of different food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, product demonstrations, live entertainment and a kids zone," its website says. 

Councilmen Rupert Sexton, John D. Pugh, Lewis Ledbetter and Ralph Perry each voted to deny organizers' special permit application to sell beer at the event, which has drawn more than 12,000 people during each of the prior two years, according to the Forsyth County News. Councilman Quincy Holton was the only in favor.  

"I’m just afraid that if this is allowed, it’s going to blossom out into our fair, so I’m opposed. It’s just the way I feel,” Perry said, citing the fairgrounds was built as a family-friendly facility, according to the newspaper.

The Cumming County Fair & Festival is held at the beginning of October each year.

Do you agree? Should the Cumming City Council allow a Beer Garden at the National BBQ Cup? Tell us in the comments why or why not.