UPDATE: Wausau's Exhibitour event canceled - WFXS, MyFoxWausau - News and Weather for Wausau, WI

WAUSAU (WAOW) - Wausau Area Events has canceled its popular downtown arts event called Exhibitour after new questions were raised about the use of alcohol.

In past years the event allowed people to walk the streets of downtown Wausau carrying glasses of wine.

The Wausau City Council's Health and Safety Committee denied a waiver  to allow open intoxicants this year. The move came after Wisconsin's Department of Revenue and the League of Municipalities reviewed the event and said the city was in violation of state liquor laws.

Wausau Area Events Director Kari Rasmussen said the board of directors canceled the event Thursday.

"It was not an easy decision," she said in a statement. "We want to express gratitude to the community and sponsors for embracing the event. Perhaps more importantly, we want to thank our downtown business owners for making the event possible year after year. "

Rasmussen says they will continue to try to find new events for downtown businesses but Exhibitour was a unique event, which she says will be difficult replace.