Weldon town commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with an application to the North Carolina ABC Commission for a permit that would allow a social district within designated areas of the town.

Town Administrator Montre Freeman said he is hopeful the state permit will be approved in time for Weldon’s annual Independence Day celebration, which is set for July 3 at River Falls Park.

A social district is an area where people who buy alcoholic beverages can walk outdoors with them and explore areas that are clearly designated as part of the district.

“The process itself has been going extremely well,” Freeman told the board. “We’re now at the point where I’m beginning to draft ordinances for you all to consider.”

One of the next steps is to begin identifying participants, patrons, and those who choose not to participate in the district. “Just because we have it doesn’t mean everyone has to participate in it,” he said.

Commissioner Nancy Sandoval asked Freeman about setting the hours of the district between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. “That just seems very early to me,” she said.

“The time period is all about inclusivity,” the town administrator replied. “Right here on our 100 block, we have Cafe Weldon. I think everyone in Weldon has seen the jewel that Cafe Weldon is.”

The owner of the cafe has applied for an ABC permit. “Cafe Weldon is the only place in the town, and possibly the county, that will be offering a true brunch,” Freeman said. “It would allow Cafe Weldon to offer those brunches during that time.”

Freeman said the footprint of the district is intended to be walkable. “We’ve seen people showing up and sightseeing. We’re going to try to get some things going, particularly in the 100, 200, and 300 blocks, to give people more things to look at. The time period is really about building the framework of the infrastructure that will support the social district going forward.”

Commissioner Jennifer Cox made the motion to move forward with the application process, which was seconded by Justin Moore.

After some tweaking following a public hearing earlier this month, Freeman said the district will encompass the Weldon Mills Distillery bar area and River Falls Park. It will extend out of the Weldon Mills and park area via the walking tunnel under Highway 301. From there, it will go down First Street and then onto Washington Avenue to include the 100, 200, and 300 blocks.

While the exact timing of obtaining the social district permit is not known, Freeman said, “We’re shooting to have it in place for the July 3 Independence Day event.”

He said he is also hopeful that Cafe Weldon will have its permit in place by that time.

The Tap Into Weldon taphouse had originally been scheduled to open in July or August, he said. “They’ve had some things to deal with, so I’m unsure of that time now,” Freeman added. “He’s working on it every day consistently, so we hope for August or September. They’re coming right along.”