Foxfield may lose its liquor license
By Kadie Bye | July 25, 2002After alleged drinking violations, the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control has threatened to revoke Foxfield Racing Association's liquor license at a hearing scheduled for early September. If the hearing panel decides to revoke Foxfield's license, it may have little effect on alcohol consumption, as the racing association itself does not sell drinks, but rather allows patrons to supply their own. Attracting thousands of University students each year, the annual spring steeplechase has come under heavy criticism for fostering excessive underage drinking and disorderly conduct, such as public urination and destruction of property, in addition to creating heavy traffic jams along Garth Road. Although this will be Foxfield's first formal hearing, it has drawn past criticism from both ABC officials and Garth Road residents. "Foxfield hasn't been heard [by a panel] before, but it received a written warning for the April 29, 2000 race for not maintaining peace and good order," said Becky Gettings, ABC director of public affairs. Gettings declined to comment on specific Foxfield abuses until the panel hearing. Foxfield has had "an ongoing conflict with the ABC," said Race Director W.