May 29, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars.

As Levitt at the Falls prepares to host 30 free concerts this summer, beverage provider JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars has put together a plan to bring beer, wine and select cocktails to what’s expected to be a popular new venue.

“We know there’s not much better than enjoying an adult beverage outdoors while listening to live music,” owner Tom Slattery said.

“At the same point, this is a city park and a family atmosphere, so we want to offer some assurance to concert-goers that adult-beverage consumption at Levitt concerts will be offered with a few rules to make sure that atmosphere is maintained and that other businesses in the downtown area get their fair share as well.”

So JJ’s has put together a system that will ensure you can enjoy your beverages of choice while keeping things under control.

How it works

When you arrive at Levitt at the Falls, you’ll see red flags on any area that involves adult-beverage sales. If you have not pre-purchased your drink tickets, you will proceed to the ID verification area and drink-ticket sales. Here, you will be provided a wristband to show proof of being carded. After that, you will be able to purchase your drink tickets.

It will cost $20 for a four-drink-ticket package. Or you will be able to purchase a single drink ticket for $6.

“We fully anticipate people to take advantage of the four-drink-ticket package. It’s a great deal, and you can share a ticket package as long as everyone has provided their proof of age,” Slattery said.

Attendees will be allowed to purchase only one four-drink-ticket package per concert but may purchase additional beverages with single tickets.

“We wanted to do this to exercise some portion control,” Slattery said. “As mentioned before, we want to represent Levitt and the city of Sioux Falls in the most responsible manner.”

Each ticket may be redeemed for a 16-ounce beer from JJ’s new draft beer trailer, which features local craft beers, a 16-ounce popular packaged beer, a 12-ounce premium beer, one of six wine options or a pre-mixed, ready-to-drink cocktail poured over ice.

“We tested a number of different pre-mixed cocktail options and are very happy with the products we will be offering,” Slattery said. “And I think you will be too.”

The number of beverage stations will depend on the concerts, but “we’re expecting a large crowd the first weekend, so we’ll have multiple service areas with one central ID check and ticket purchase area manned by a large number of people, as we expect this to be the one area where a little log jam could potentially occur,” Slattery said.

There also will be two food trucks at each event, and Levitt at the Falls will sell concession-type items as a fundraiser.

Adult beverages will be sold from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a hard cutoff at 8:30 p.m.

Large events such as corporate gatherings also can reach out to JJ’s for help coordinating their beverage needs.

And when you purchase beverages at the concerts, you’ll also be helping Levitt carry out its mission to provide free outdoor music.

“Our arrangement with Levitt is a profit-sharing one that gives their nonprofit the lion’s share of the net proceeds from the adult-beverage purchases,” Slattery said. “This will become part of the fundraising effort that allows them to provide these free concerts throughout the season.”

Still hiring 

Does all this talk of outdoor music and adult beverages make you want to be a bigger part of the scene?

JJ’s is still hiring staff for its Levitt events. Contact [email protected] for information and to apply.