Vodka jelly shots sold at the Alexandra Blossom Festival (ABF) in 2024 by a vendor who had no understanding of their liquor licence was one of the reasons why the committee was applying for a special licence.

But the Central Otago District Licensing Committee initially declined the special licence because the festival committee wasn’t selling the alcohol.

As a result, a hearing was held yesterday (Friday July 11), by the licensing committee for the festival committee to contest its on-site licence for the Saturday in the park event.

The committee was told in 2024 that individual vendors were now required to obtain their own onsite licences, but that meant organisers had no control over who was selling what and where.

In 2024, one vendor advertised on Facebook that they were selling vodka jelly shots at the event—“an activity we would never approve of”, the committee said in its report to the hearing.

Police officers in attendance were also unaware of the vendor’s licence conditions, and the licensee themselves had no clear understanding of their obligations. 

“The sale of jelly shots was only halted when we informed the licensee they could be removed from the event if they did not comply. This situation was unsatisfactory for both the organisers and the licensee.”

“We are still unclear as to why control over alcohol sales at our own event was removed, which is why we are submitting this application.”

The licensing committee said that in order to comply with the requirements, a licensee must be directly involved in the sale and supply of alcohol - a requirement that changed in 2024.

Every other year between 2013 and up until 2024 the committee was granted a special licence, and supporting evidence from Alexandra Police said the event had been well run with very few issues.

Read more: Blossom Festival to contest special liquor licence

Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]