End of Prohibition Event Brings Holiday Cheer to Families

The Ferndale Good Fellows are again celebrating the anniversary of the end of Prohibition and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of the 21st amendment with bar specials and other events to raise money for area families in need.

This year’s celebration, the ninth annual, takes place in downtown Ferndale on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to the free daily Ferndale Patch newsletter and news alerts.
• Like Ferndale Patch on Facebook.

Last year, nearly $4,000 was raised to benefit area area families, and the Good Fellows hope to raise more in the celebration of the 82nd anniversary of Prohibition’s end.

Donations will be collected through “passing the moonshine jug,” raffles, possible cover charges at some venues and through corporate contributions.

Eight participating venues will be decorated to reflect the 1930s, and staff and patrons are encouraged to wear period costumes — think gangsters, flappers and rum runners.

Participating clubs and restaurants include:

• Bosco
• Danny’s Irish Pub
• Dino’s
• Howe’s Bayou
• New Way Bar
• Sneakers
• Soho
• Twisted Tavern

Sponsors include Tito’s Vodka, Sneakers, Danny’s Irish Pub, The Bar Down Stairs, Green Thumb Garden Center, John R Glass of Troy, Sucher Tire Service, Twisted Tavern, Tommy’s Bar and Grill, Detroit, Oakland 115.com, Ferndale Friends Newspaper, Tiffani & Tom Gagne, Craig Covey, Councilman Greg Pawlica and Mayor Pro-tem Dan Martin.

The 21st Amendment, ratified on Dec. 5, 1933, repealed the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which had mandated a nationwide prohibition on alcohol. During Prohibition, illegal liquor was in high demand and expensive, making criminals rich.

At the same time, the FBI and police officers were investing time and money in what proved to be an expensive losing battle. The argument for the repeal of prohibition was that legalizing and taking liquor sales offered better control and lawful jobs.

During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to help solve economic problems by raising money for the federal government from alcohol taxes and tariffs.