Commissioners sign spirits contract for Gorge Amphitheater

EPHRATA - Beer, wine and liquor will continue to flow at the Gorge Amphitheater concerts this year.

County commissioners signed Monday an agreement with food vendor Aramark and Gorge owner Live Nation.

Commissioners approved the sale of beer and wine at 23 locations in the Gorge Amphitheater during concerts and festivals and three locations where liquor can be sold. Like in previous years, patrons will first be required to get an age-verified wristband and must be wearing it to enter locations where liquor is sold. Patrons will only be allowed to buy two alcoholic beverages at a time.

The agreement states that individual vendors must have passed Mandatory Alcohol Server Training.

Aramark, in-house staff and venue security will handle security in the parking area, amphitheater perimeter, beer gardens, concession and seating areas, according to the agreement.

The agreement follows a 2014 Concert Management Agreement signed in December 2013 by county officials and Live Nation.

That agreement limits the number of concertgoers to 22,000 and no more than 27,500 at music festivals like Sasquatch.

Live Nation agrees to operate camping and parking facilities and will pay the sheriff's department $30 per hour for each deputy who controls traffic or is needed in an emergency.

Live Nation agreed to "negotiate in good faith" with state patrol, fish and wildlife, Grant County Fire District No. 3, the Grant County PUD and "affected emergency service districts."

At an earlier meeting with Live Nation, representative Danny Wilde said his company would pay for additional medical facilities and more visible free water during concert events. At the Gorge's Paradiso Festival last year one man died and more than 70 were transported to nearby Quincy Valley Medical Center complaining of de-hydrations and drug-overdoses.