Subject:
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Temporary alcohol waiver for Leo’s Swim Safe Foundation Inc. formerly Open Water-Open Arms Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization in partnership with Thunder Bolt Multi Sport, formally requests permission from the Pinellas County Parks Department to allow beer to be served in Fort Desoto Park on April 11, 2026.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of temporary alcohol waiver for Leo’s Swim Safe Foundation Inc. formerly Open Water-Open Arms Inc. in partnership with Thunder Bolt Multi Sport for the Escape from Fort De Soto event.
• The beer will be donated/provided by sponsor - Any Color Printing. The beer will be given to attendees at no charge during the hours 9am -12pm. We will request enough beer to serve up to 300 people. Permit request will be filed with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and the $25.00 permit fee will be paid within the seven (7) days required prior to the event date or sooner if possible. Copy of the permit will be sent (EMAILED) to Pinellas County, and a copy of the permit will be hung onsite where the beer will be given out.
• Ice Freezer will be on site keeping all ice bags cold during the morning. The beer in cans will be opened and handed to age verified adults. The beer area will be supervised by several adult volunteers also, who will be checking for wrist bands which indicate they are of legal drinking age. Any Color Printing volunteers will be handing out the beers inside the approved and designated area on the map, all which will be over the age of 21 years or older.
• The beer will be distributed by adults, of legal drinking age, under the direction of Michael Gardner/Tony Garrett the Race Directors for the Thunder Bolt Multi Sport Events. No one will be served without proper ID proving their age to be 21 years of age or older.
• Beer will not be provided until 9 am and will conclude by 11:59 am. There will be no access to any remaining beer after 12 pm. Unused beer will be returned to Any Color Printing the beer sponsor.
• We will create an area in which alcohol will be served using snow fencing/barricades, restricting all beer consumption to be within this compound. We will have an adult at the entrance to the secure & fenced beer garden to ensure no beer leaves the compound. We will also post a sign at the exit, advising attendees that no beer is permitted beyond the beer garden enclosure.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and Promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
The execution of this document will allow beer to be provided at the Escape from Fort De Soto event on April 11, 2026, in accordance with the race director’s guidelines as specified. The County Administrator’s approval of this document allows the organizer to obtain the State of Florida’s temporary alcohol license for this event.
Background/Explanation:
The waiver process was established to allow organizers to receive a temporary waiver for the duration of the event.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this waiver is granted under (Code Section 6-47(b)(2).
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks and Conservation Resources
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Special Event Application
Alcohol Site Map
Alcohol Temporary Waiver
Request Details
COI Liquor Liability