New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, announced today that legislation they sponsored allowing the FX Matt Brewing Company to continue to host the annual Boilermaker Road Race post-race party has been signed into law.

Last year, the state Legislature passed a new law that broadened the hours that beer would be sold in convenience stores on Sundays but inadvertently repealed the law that allows the Brewery to host and provide free beer during the Boilermaker after party. 

Sen. Griffo raised this issue at the time of passage and voted no on that legislation because of the negative impact it would have on the Boilermaker.

In response to last year’s law, Sen. Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon introduced a bill (S8884-A/A) that would restore this longstanding allowance to ensure that the annual Boilermaker post-race party will continue to be a special event for the thousands of people that make their way to Utica on the second Sunday of July.

These bills were passed by the Senate and Assembly in May.

“I am pleased that the Governor has signed this bill into law and appreciate her support of not only the legislation, but the event itself, and understanding the time sensitivity. I am also grateful for the bipartisan effort involved with resolving this issue,” Senator Griffo said. “This legislation will ensure that the Boilermaker Road race and the post-race party remains a premier event that showcases the region and all it has to offer to the world.”

“Last year, the New York State legislature passed legislation that inadvertently repealed an existing law, preventing the F.X. Matt Brewing Company from serving free beer during the Boilermaker after-party,” explained Assemblywoman Buttenschon.  “This year’s legislation amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and allows the F.X. Matt Brewing Company to generously serve their beer at the annual Boilermaker Race after party for all runners and supporters. I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing this amended legislation, Senator Griffo for his leadership, and the F.X. Matt Brewing Company for hosting a fabulous after party that includes a cold Utica Club beer!”

 

Boilermaker President Mark Donovan said “The Boilermaker is grateful for the work that Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon have done in introducing this bill and ushering it through the legislative process. We also very much appreciate Governor Hochul’s prompt attention to getting it signed into law. Our 14,000 runners and countless members of our community are thankful that they will be able to fully enjoy the iconic Saranac Post Race Party on the second Sunday in July.”