Commission approves beer sales at Battle of the Burger

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners approved a request for a variance to the Alcohol Beverage ordinance to allow Main Street to include a beer vendor at the Battle of the Burger on June 3.

The Battle of the Burger is a fundraiser to reduce the remaining debt for building the Veterans’ Plaza at Fourth Street and Grand Avenue. It is timed this year to coincide with the Cruzin’ Grand event downtown.

Rhonda Skrapke, as promotions chair of Main Street, said the Battle will be in the parking lot behind the Ponca City Library and on Sixth Street between Cleveland and Grand Avenues. Areas for competing teams will be marked off with tape.

Main Street will obtain a county liquor license and will hire a licensed caterer to check IDs and sell low-point beer at the event.

Skrapke said Main Street will hire five off-duty police officers and Extra Eyes volunteers will help patrol the event to enforce liquor sales and consumption.

Ponca City Main Street is seeking teams to compete in the Battle of the Burger cook-off, which starts at 5 p.m. June 3. Judges will score the entrants and choose the Best Burger.

First, second and third place winners will receive a cash prize. Attendees will also be given a chance to vote for the People’s Choice winner. The People’s Choice winner will receive a cash prize as well.

Contact the Ponca City Main Street office for more details and to sign up.