FORT WORTH – Six hundred people contacted state officials to oppose the sale of beer at Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor. A tiny fraction showed up for a meeting Thursday night in Fort Worth to learn how to formally protest the application.

Nearly 50 people attended the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission town hall meeting that was supposed to focus on the formal protest process. But many of those who appeared were more interested in hearing how the Arlington theme parks intended to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol and keep the venues family-friendly.

Linda Jaquess of Arlington said she was worried that beer sales would create a hostile atmosphere. She said that's something that should worry every parent who drops off a child at the parks.

"I don't want them [drunks] messing with my kids and grandkids," she said.

She and nearly 20 others denounced the idea of granting the permit. Only a Six Flags executive spoke in support.

However, this wasn't a public hearing, and the comments won't be a factor in the decision about granting the two mixed-drink permits. Before the commission decides whether to hold a hearing, opponents must file written protests stating how approval would violate state law.

By Thursday night, only one protest had been filed, but one speaker said he was revising his paperwork to make it a valid protest.

John Bement, a senior vice president with Six Flags, which also owns the Hurricane Harbor water park, said his staff would be thoroughly trained. Also, he said the parks would work with the state to ensure that minors and intoxicated customers were not served.

Commission officials said that Six Flags and its employees would be held responsible for serving minors and drunken customers if the licenses are approved.

Mr. Bement said the application was initiated based on requests from adult customers who wanted the option of ordering a beer.

Opponents said that roller coasters, huge numbers of minors and alcohol don't mix.

Carlon Lemmons, an Arlington school counselor, said he doesn't see how the parks can cater to families and serve alcohol, too.

Carolyn Mitchell of Burleson brought her 12-year-old son with her to the meeting. She said she doesn't believe that 18-year-old Six Flags employees have the maturity or knowledge to spot a fake ID.

She said approving the permits would eliminate one of the last alcohol-free attractions in the area.

"You go to see hockey. There's beer," Ms. Mitchell said. "You go to see baseball. There's beer. You go to a football game. There's beer. There is nowhere we can take our families except Six Flags."

Six Flags Inc. posted signs at the two Arlington parks on Dec. 17 announcing that the company was applying for a mixed-beverage license. That posting started a 60-day comment period.

Formal protests, however, must be in writing and cite legal grounds for denying an application. Protests often cite a section of state law that allows refusal based on concerns about "general welfare, health, peace, morals and safety of the people and on the public sense of decency."

David Mandt, a spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, said that large-scale opposition like this is unusual.

"I've not heard of a significant controversy like this before," he said.

Mr. Mandt, who has been in the amusement park business for more than 20 years, said that his trade group doesn't keep statistics but that a significant percent of the parks sell alcohol.

SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, both in San Antonio, serve alcohol.