HELP DRAGONSTONE SPRINGS GROW
Faulkner County Residents — We Need Your Voice
Dragonstone Springs, home of the Arkansas Renaissance Festival, is asking the Faulkner County Quorum Court to vote favorably on a proposed ordinance that would allow Dragonstone Springs to operate as a private club and then apply to Arkansas ABC for the appropriate permit.
This vote does not issue an alcohol permit.
A favorable Quorum Court vote allows Dragonstone Springs to move forward into the separate Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control permitting process.
Our goal is simple:
Help Dragonstone Springs grow into a year-round destination that brings more events, more visitors, more jobs, and more tourism activity into Faulkner County.
150 → 500–1,000
Potential Event Growth
YEAR-ROUND EVENTS
Weddings • Corporate • Feasts • Masquerades
3-PHASE ROLLOUT
Controlled From the Beginning
FAULKNER COUNTY
More Visitors • More Local Spending
What Is The Quorum Court Being Asked To Do?
The Faulkner County Quorum Court is considering an ordinance concerning Dragonstone Springs.
If the ordinance passes, Dragonstone Springs would be allowed to operate as a private club and move forward with an application to Arkansas ABC.
The Quorum Court does not issue the final alcohol permit.
Arkansas ABC would separately review the application and determine whether all requirements for a permit have been met.
How Does The Process Work?
Step 1
Ordinance Introduced
The proposed ordinance is expected to begin the Faulkner County Quorum Court review process in
September 2026.
Step 2
Review and Discussion
The ordinance is expected to proceed through the normal three-reading process over approximately three months.
During that time, Justices of the Peace can:
- Review the proposal
- Ask questions
- Hear from residents
- Consider safeguards
- Discuss concerns
- Evaluate the potential benefits before a final vote
Step 3
Final Quorum Court Vote
After the normal review process, the Quorum Court votes on whether to adopt the ordinance.
Step 4
Arkansas ABC Application
If the ordinance passes, Dragonstone Springs may then move forward with an application to Arkansas ABC.
Step 5
ABC Review
Arkansas ABC conducts its own separate review and determines whether a permit should ultimately be issued.
A favorable Quorum Court vote is an important step in the process. It is not the final alcohol permit itself.
Why Does This Vote Matter?
Dragonstone Springs has grown into a permanent destination that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors and supports more than 100 employees and more than 100 independent vendors during Festival operations.
But the Renaissance Festival is only part of the long-term vision.
We want Dragonstone Springs to become a regional, year-round destination.
Our next phase includes a planned approximately:
7,000-SQUARE-FOOT CASTLE & EVENT FACILITY
Today, many of our special events are limited to approximately:
150 Guests
The planned facility could allow many events to grow to approximately:
500–1,000 Guests
That changes what we can offer and how far we can market it. Larger events can be promoted throughout Arkansas and surrounding states, bringing more visitors into Faulkner County throughout the year.
What Could the Next Phase Include
These events could happen throughout the year instead of only during the Renaissance Festival season.
Weddings and Receptions
Corporate Events and Retreats
Champions Feast Experiences
Formal Dinners and Feasts
Masquerade Balls
Fantasy-Themed Events
Holiday Events
Private Celebrations
Additional Festivals and Other Regional Destination Experiences
Why Does Controlled Beverage Service Matter?
For many weddings, corporate events, formal dinners, receptions and evening events, controlled beverage service is commonly expected. Without the ability to responsibly provide that option, Dragonstone Springs is at a significant disadvantage when competing for those events. That limits our ability to move forward with larger year-round facilities and programming.
This is why the ordinance matters.
The goal is not simply to sell alcohol.
The goal is to make Dragonstone Springs more competitive for the kinds of events that can bring visitors into Faulkner County throughout the year.
What Are We Proposing?
Beer | Wine | Mead
No Hard Liqour
We also do not intend to immediately make alcohol available throughout Dragonstone Springs. Our plan is a gradual three-phase rollout.
PHASE ONE
Limited Special Events
Initial service would be limited to highly controlled environments such as:
- Champions Feast
- Formal dinners
- Tasting and pairing experiences
- Weddings and receptions
- Corporate events
- Private events
This gives us time to establish procedures, train personnel and demonstrate responsible operation before considering any expansion.
PHASE TWO
Controlled Mead or Beverage Garden
Only after Phase One operates successfully would we consider a designated Mead or Beverage Garden during the Arkansas Renaissance Festival.
This would be a clearly defined and controlled service environment.
PHASE THREE
Limited Additional Festival Locations
Only after continued successful operation would we consider a limited number of additional Festival service locations.
Expansion would occur only after we are confident the system is operating safely and responsibly.
Protecting the Family-Friendly Dragonstone Springs Experience
SAFE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION
Dragonstone Springs has built its reputation around providing a family-friendly destination. We do not want that to change. Our current safeguards go beyond simply checking identification.
ID Scanning
Government-issued identification would be electronically verified.
Non-Replaceable Wristbands
Approved adult guests would receive a controlled wristband.
Electronic Purchase Tracking
Purchases would be electronically tracked regardless of which approved service location a guest uses.
Maximum Purchase Limits
A maximum purchase limit would apply to each registered guest per day.
Festival-Controlled Alcohol Sales
Alcohol service would remain under Festival control rather than being turned over to independent outside alcohol vendors.
Immediate Stop Authority
Festival management would have the ability to immediately suspend alcohol service if safety or operational concerns arise. Additional safeguards would include trained staff, refusal of service to intoxicated guests, security and management oversight, and compliance with Arkansas ABC requirements.
OUR GOAL IS NOT TO CHANGE DRAGONSTONE SPRINGS.
OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE DRAGONSTONE SPRINGS THE ABILITY TO GROW.
Why This Matters To Faulkner County
Visitors coming to destination events do more than buy a ticket.
They may also:
- Stay in local hotels
- Eat in local restaurants
- Purchase fuel
- Shop with local businesses
- Visit other attractions
- Return for future events
Our goal is to create more reasons for people to visit Faulkner County throughout the year, not only during the Renaissance Festival season. Larger weddings, corporate events, feasts, masquerades and regional special events can create additional opportunities for local businesses throughout the county.
Supporting Local Businesses & Vendors
Dragonstone Springs already supports a large network of independent businesses and vendors. During Festival operations, more than 100 vendors and artisans participate, including small businesses and local entrepreneurs. More than 40 independent vendors have also invested in permanent buildings at Dragonstone Springs.
As the property develops more year-round programming, our goal is to create additional opportunities for:
- Local vendors
- Food operators
- Entertainers
- Contractors
- Hospitality businesses
- Retail businesses
- Service providers
Working With Local Tourism Partners
Dragonstone Springs is already working with local tourism partners to attract visitors from outside Central Arkansas and encourage them to spend more time in Faulkner County. That includes working with the City of Conway Advertising & Promotion Commission and Conway tourism officials. The larger goal is not to benefit one city or one business. It is to bring more visitors into the region and encourage those visitors to stay longer and spend money throughout Faulkner County.
FAULKNER COUNTY RESIDENTS — WE NEED YOUR VOICE
The Quorum Court will have several months to review the ordinance before a final vote.
If you live in Faulkner County and support the continued growth of Dragonstone Springs, we respectfully ask you to contact your Justice of the Peace.
Tell them why you support Dragonstone Springs and respectfully ask them to vote favorably on the proposed ordinance.
Find Your JP
Justice Knight
District 1
Maree Coats
District 2
John Allison III
District 3
Area/Communities:
view District Maps
Phone:
501-743-9431
Email: JPD3@faulknercountyar.gov
Samuel Strain
District 4
Jonny Tyler
District 5
Tyler Lachowsky
District 6
Tyler Pearson
District 7
Jason Lyon
District 8
Kris Kendrick
District 9
Joyia Yorgey
District 11
David Meeks
District 12
Jake Moss
District 13
Sample Message
Standard Version
Hi [JP Name], my name is [Name] and I live in [community]. I support the continued growth of Dragonstone Springs and respectfully ask you to vote in favor of the proposed ordinance. I appreciate the tourism, local business opportunities, and family-friendly approach Dragonstone Springs brings to Faulkner County. Thank you for your consideration.
Short Text Version
Hi [JP Name], I’m [Name] from [community]. Please support the Dragonstone Springs ordinance. I support its continued growth, tourism impact, and responsible plan for controlled beverage service. Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Quorum Court giving Dragonstone Springs a Liquor License?
TicketsNo. The Quorum Court is considering an ordinance that would allow Dragonstone Springs to operate as a private club and move forward with an application to Arkansas ABC. ABC would separately determine whether a permit is issued.
Will Alcohol immediately be sold throughout the Renaissance Festival?
TicketsNo. Our plan begins with limited special events and highly controlled environments.
Are you proposing Hard Liquor?
TicketsNo. Our current operating plan is beer, wine and mead only.
Will there be purchase limits?
Yes. Our plan includes electronically tracked maximum purchase limits for registered guests.
Will Independent Vendors be selling alcohol?
Our current plan is for alcohol sales to remain under Festival control rather than being turned over to independent outside alcohol vendors.
Why is this Necessary?
Controlled beverage service is commonly expected at many weddings, corporate functions, formal dinners and evening events. Without it, Dragonstone Springs is at a significant disadvantage when competing for those events.
Will this change the Family-Friendly Festival?
Our goal is specifically to prevent that. The phased rollout, ID verification, purchase tracking, controlled service and management oversight are being designed to protect the family-friendly character of Dragonstone Springs.
Why should someone outside the festival care?
Because larger destination events can create more hotel stays, restaurant spending, fuel purchases, retail activity, jobs and visitor spending throughout Faulkner County.
