The Central Otago licensing committee has declined the Alexandra Blossom Festival a special liquor license and set down a hearing for July 11.
Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the move is to help the licensing committee decide who should hold the liquor license — the festival trust committee or the vendors— not to ban alcohol at the festival.
Mr McPherson could not comment on why the application was refused as he would have to give evidence at the public hearing.
He was confident festival-goers would notice no difference regardless of the outcome.
"It’s just one of those things. It won’t affect the blossom festival. We will still have licenced premises on-site."
The public hearing will be at the Central Otago District Council chambers, in Alexandra, at 10am.
In May, the council extended the festival liquor ban to include the Teviot Valley.
The disorder caused by "car enthusiasts" heading to Alexandra was the reason for the extension, not behaviour at the festival site.
