Shamrocks host their first city-approved tailgate

Shamrocks fans outside of the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena at the first city-approved tailgate.

After initally shutting tailgating down at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena, City Manager Amanda Mack published a series of rules Oct. 2 before the Shamrocks vs. Aberdeen Wings hockey game Oct. 5 that allowed tailgating to occur.

The rules, which were mainly implemented to not violate the ice arena’s alcoholic beverage license and avoid legal problems, prohibit the on-premises consumtion of outside alcohol. Alcohol must be purchased from the arena through beer carts outside to be consumed in the northeast parking lot between 3-6:30 p.m.

There are no rules against bringing coolers full of food/pop/water, grilling, or music.

The Current attended the tailgate Saturday night and estimated somewhere between 200-300 fans were in the approved tailgating area before the game started. The on-site Watertown Police Department Officers cites no serious violations at the tailgate and City Manager Amanda Mack was happy with how everything went.

Alderman Mike Danforth and City Manager Amanda Mack manned the beer cart at the first offical tailgate before a Shamrocks game.

In the end, the Shamrocks gave up three goals to the Wings, losing 0-3 during regulation. The game was so popular among fans for both teams that it ended up being a sold-out game, with attendance numbers coming in at 1,455 by the end of the game.

According to Mack, the fact that fans wanted to tailgate Shamrocks games somewhat took the city by surprise. The city initially declared that there would be no tailgating at the ice arena (which is wholly owned by the city), but relaxed that stance Wednesday night due to public requests.

“We were so focused on how to run a brand new facility that just opened, and also host a NAHL team at the same time, that this issue wasn’t even on our radar,” Mack said. “This all has to do with our license. As it stands, beer revenue is split 50/50 between the city and the team. Outside alcohol isn’t allowed even in the parking lot because laws prohibit that.”

Mack is not sure if the rules will stick, or if they will be altered in the future based on what happens at the next few home games.

“I don’t know how the city is going to manage this going forward. The city council could adopt these rules permanently, or see how it goes and make changes to it based on turnout. The council could also rezone the property and reduce the alcohol license to just the arena instead of the whole property and parking lot. As it stands, these rules were made quickly to address a public desire while keeping everything legal.”

“These rules came from ideas between Alderman Mike Danforth and myself,” Mayor Reid Holien told the Current. “I’m glad we have a short-term solution to address this. We will need a little time to craft a better solution to satisfy all parties involved, but we have a good framework to start with.”

The rules going forward—unless modified by the city council—are as follows:

• Tailgating will be allowed in the NE corner of the ice arena parking lot starting at 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. This area will be roped off and clearly identified. Vehicles will be allowed to be parked in the area on a first come, first serve basis.
• No outside alcohol will be allowed in the parking lot, the facility, or the tailgate area. If someone brings their own in, they will be asked to leave.
• Those that want alcohol will need to come into the building, get a wristband to ensure they are 21, and purchase tokens which can be traded for beer. The beer cart will be rolled out to the parking lot so fans can get beer in the tailgate area. The city will have the station set up so they can exit right into the tailgate area from the east entrance.
• Coolers with soda, water, etc. are fine. Food/grilling/games/music is allowed and encouraged. However, no glass containers and fans are expected to clean up after themselves.
• Tailgating will end promptly at 6:30 p.m. so fans can enter the arena for the 7 p.m. puck drop and all tents (if there are any) and tailgate items need to be cleaned up and packed away by 7 p.m.
• No consumption of alcohol will be allowed in the parking lot after 6:30 p.m.
• Two Watertown Police Department officers will be patrolling the tailgate area.
• City staff/Council will be manning the beer cart and tailgate area until other solutions can be worked out.