Visitors attending some of Canyon's largest community events could soon be allowed to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages beginning at 8 a.m. instead of noon under a proposed ordinance change discussed by the Canyon City Commission.

The proposal, presented by City Manager Joe Price and city staff, would amend the city's Special Event Ordinance to allow alcohol consumption during approved events from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., replacing the current noon-to-11 p.m. window.

The change is aimed at better serving events that begin early in the day, including Fair on the Square and the Canyon Farmers Market. According to city officials, vendors participating in those events have requested earlier alcohol sales so service aligns with morning operations.

While the proposal would expand the hours alcohol may be served during approved events, city officials emphasized that it would not change the safeguards already required under Ordinance No. 1088, adopted in 2018.

Those requirements include police presence when determined appropriate by the city, clearly marked boundaries showing where alcohol may be possessed and consumed, and continued enforcement of areas where alcohol remains prohibited. Vendors must also provide the authorization letter required by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission from the property owner — in this case, the City of Canyon — before receiving approval to serve alcohol.

City staff will also continue meeting with event sponsors to ensure all procedures are followed before permits are approved.

Commissioners also began a broader discussion about whether Canyon should reconsider its longstanding prohibition on alcohol consumption in city parks and city-owned buildings.

Price said the conversation comes as requests to serve alcohol at public facilities have become more common.

"Ordinance No. 515 establishes regulations governing the use of alcohol in City parks and other public property. As community use of City facilities has increased, and more parties are requesting to serve alcohol at events, questions have arisen regarding whether the ordinance should be amended to provide a consistent policy addressing the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on City-owned property," Price said.

Price noted that the city already regulates alcohol service in limited situations through Ordinance No. 1031, which governs sidewalk cafés. Businesses serving alcohol in those outdoor dining areas must comply with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and applicable provisions of the city's ordinances.

To help guide the discussion, city staff reviewed how Amarillo regulates alcohol on public property rather than banning it outright.

"The City of Amarillo does not prohibit alcohol consumption at the Amarillo Civic Center. Instead, it regulates how and when alcohol may be served through its municipal code and facility policies," Price said.

He explained that Amarillo prohibits visitors from bringing outside alcohol into the Civic Center but allows event organizers to serve alcoholic beverages through contractual agreements. Alcohol sales are handled through the facility's concessionaire, and patrons are expected to consume alcohol responsibly under the Civic Center's code of conduct.

Price also pointed to Amarillo's approach in city parks.

"The City of Amarillo does not have a blanket prohibition on alcohol consumption in all city parks. Instead, it regulates alcohol in specific circumstances through its Parks and Recreation ordinance," Price said.

Among those regulations are bans on alcohol during organized youth sporting events, restrictions on glass containers in parks and athletic facilities, and limits on public alcohol consumption during certain overnight hours.

If commissioners choose to revise Canyon's ordinance, Price said staff could prepare language allowing alcohol in city parks and city-owned buildings only when authorized through an approved permit, lease agreement or city-sponsored event and in compliance with federal, state and local laws.

"The intent of all this information is to begin the discussion on allowing alcohol in a safe and family friendly way in City Parks and Buildings," Price said.

Commissioners discussed both items but took no action on potential changes to Ordinance No. 515. A motion on Ordinance No. 1255, which would amend alcohol service hours for approved special events, was presented for the commission's consideration.