DOWNTOWN WEST BEND POLICIES
DWBA Event Non-Interference Policy
Any Event put on by the Downtown West Bend Association (DWBA) is licensed by the City of West Bend as a “parade or special event” under the City’s Parade Permit Ordinance contained in section 12.20 of the Municipal Code. Under its license, the DWBA is authorized to close a limited portion of Downtown Streets, for a limited period of time, on a limited number of dates. Under its license, the DWBA regulates and restricts participating in the event. Approved vendors are allowed to distribute items from their designated locations.
Protection of Free Speech
The DWBA is well aware of the fact that the events take place on a closed public street. As such, the DWBA does not restrict in any way the free speech rights of the public. However, the DWBA does reserve the right to ask individuals and organizations whose conduct is disorderly to leave the event grounds and/or report such Disorderly Conduct to the West Bend Police Department.
Promotion, Distribution and Sales on behalf of unauthorized Private/Public Businesses & Enterprises
The DWBA does not permit individuals and organizations, other than its approved and authorized vendors, to promote, distribute, campaign, or sell anything on behalf of a private/public business or enterprise during an event. An individual and organization must be a stall to collect signatures, distribute information or sell products.
Such activities do not qualify as free speech. In fact, such activities are deemed to be interference and an attempt to participate in the event without a proper permit, in violation of the City of West Bend’s Ordinances.
Section 12.20 (10) of the Ordinances prohibit interference with parades and special events, including the ArtWalk, Farmers’ Market, Music on Main, Wheels on Main, Fall Fest, Wine Walk on Main and Kayak 5k.. The ordinance specifically states, “(10) INTERFERENCE. No persons shall hamper, obstruct or impede or interfere with any parade or parade assembly or with any person, vehicle or animal participating or used in the parade, nor shall any other organization or group of persons not mentioned in the application for a parade permit participate in the parade.”
Based on considerations of providing safe access to patrons and vendors, maintaining order, encouraging attendance, promoting collegiality, fostering good will, increasing enjoyment, preventing unwanted solicitations, maintaining an enhanced small town event experience, and preventing activities which violate Ordinance 12.20 (10), the DWBA reserves the right to ask individuals and organizations engaging in unauthorized promotion, distribution, and sales on behalf of private/public businesses and enterprises to leave the event.
The DWBA also reserves the right to report such improper conduct to the West Bend Police Department.
Please contact the DWBA if you have any questions about this policy or would like to discuss whether this policy applies to you or your organization.
Thank you,
Gena Biertzer
Executive Director
262-338-3909
Gena@downtownwestbend.com
Any Event put on by the Downtown West Bend Association (DWBA) is licensed by the City of West Bend as a “parade or special event” under the City’s Parade Permit Ordinance contained in section 12.20 of the Municipal Code. Under its license, the DWBA is authorized to close a limited portion of Downtown Streets, for a limited period of time, on a limited number of dates. Under its license, the DWBA regulates and restricts participating in the event. Approved vendors are allowed to distribute items from their designated locations.
Protection of Free Speech
The DWBA is well aware of the fact that the events take place on a closed public street. As such, the DWBA does not restrict in any way the free speech rights of the public. However, the DWBA does reserve the right to ask individuals and organizations whose conduct is disorderly to leave the event grounds and/or report such Disorderly Conduct to the West Bend Police Department.
Promotion, Distribution and Sales on behalf of unauthorized Private/Public Businesses & Enterprises
The DWBA does not permit individuals and organizations, other than its approved and authorized vendors, to promote, distribute, campaign, or sell anything on behalf of a private/public business or enterprise during an event. An individual and organization must be a stall to collect signatures, distribute information or sell products.
Such activities do not qualify as free speech. In fact, such activities are deemed to be interference and an attempt to participate in the event without a proper permit, in violation of the City of West Bend’s Ordinances.
Section 12.20 (10) of the Ordinances prohibit interference with parades and special events, including the ArtWalk, Farmers’ Market, Music on Main, Wheels on Main, Fall Fest, Wine Walk on Main and Kayak 5k.. The ordinance specifically states, “(10) INTERFERENCE. No persons shall hamper, obstruct or impede or interfere with any parade or parade assembly or with any person, vehicle or animal participating or used in the parade, nor shall any other organization or group of persons not mentioned in the application for a parade permit participate in the parade.”
Based on considerations of providing safe access to patrons and vendors, maintaining order, encouraging attendance, promoting collegiality, fostering good will, increasing enjoyment, preventing unwanted solicitations, maintaining an enhanced small town event experience, and preventing activities which violate Ordinance 12.20 (10), the DWBA reserves the right to ask individuals and organizations engaging in unauthorized promotion, distribution, and sales on behalf of private/public businesses and enterprises to leave the event.
The DWBA also reserves the right to report such improper conduct to the West Bend Police Department.
Please contact the DWBA if you have any questions about this policy or would like to discuss whether this policy applies to you or your organization.
Thank you,
Gena Biertzer
Executive Director
262-338-3909
Gena@downtownwestbend.com