John Camp (Center), CEO of East Tennessee Equality Council speaks in front of the Knoxville Beer Board. (Hayden Formica/ UTK Student Journalist)
By: Hayden Formica
Sep. 28, 2023 (4:50 P.M.)- On Thursday evening, the Knoxville Beer Board held a special meeting in the city council building. On the agenda was a special use beer permit request from the East Tennessee Equality Council, a local nonprofit that hosts the annual Pride Festival every year. The Equality Council, represented by its CEO, John Camp, was seeking permission to allow the sale and consumption of beer and wine at this year’s Knoxville Pride Festival.
Knox Pride Fest, an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting equality and inclusion for all, is scheduled to take place from October 6 through October 8 at the World’s Fair Park. This year’s theme is “Celebrate. Pride. Protest.” Event planners are also expected to host a March For Equality on October 6th in response to the “hundreds of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills introduced across the country this year.”
In a quickly paced meeting, after confirming all the documents were in order, the board unanimously approved the request. Afterwards, in a brief interview Mr. Camp stated, “It’s usually much more in detail but this is a special thing for us tonight.” Seema Singh, Knoxville City Councilwoman and beer board member stated, “If they have all of the right paperwork in order they just get it.” She also stated there are usually three or four special events a month, mostly in the Market Square area.
University of Tennessee student Joshua Carney said, “having beer at events like this can help draw in more people but also if the beer is sold from local breweries, it is helping keep money local and supporting local business.”
Advanced weather forecasts show partly cloudy weather and temperatures in the mid 70s during Pride Fest.
Hayden Formica 
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