Beer and Wine Returning to Trumbull Day

After "many, many" years of a dry Trumbull Day, alcohol is coming back to the annual festival, but can only be consumed in a restricted area.

The Board of Education recently approved a waiver allowing the sale of beer and wine in a tent area for the once annual event, slated for June 29. The vote was 6-1, with board member Michael Ward voting against it.

Alcohol does not foster the family environment intended for the festival, Ward said.

"I guess it's a bit of an experiment," said School Board Chairman Stephen Wright. The hope is to make the festival more profitable, because it "inherently" loses money, he added.

He recalled that alcohol was removed from the festival because of problems it caused. Security, especially around the alcohol-serving area, will be tight, according to the Trumbull Day Commission.

At one time, Trumbull Day drew thousands of people from all over the state with its live music, rides and other offerings.

Traditional Trumbull Day, outside of Hillcrest School, was last held in 2009. It also traditionally featured fireworks, rides, games and a musical act. First Selectman Tim Herbst cancelled Trumbull Day in 2010, citing financial losses.

In 2011, there was an outdoor event at the Westfield Trumbull Mall that had games and fireworks.

For more information, a Facebook page has been established for Trumbull Day.

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Details of the Beer and Wine Tent

According to a letter from Trumbull Day Commission Chair John Karpowich:

• The tent will have orange safety fencing around it making it an enclosed

area.

• There will be no seating provided for this area.

• No one will be allowed to enter the tent without confirming age of 21 or

older.

• An ID scanner has been secured that will allow us to determine if the ID

presented is fake. If a fake ID is presented we will notify TPD.

• Wrist bracelets will be issued to those confirmed 21 or older and will be

required to wear the bracelet in order to be served.

• Patrons of the tent will be limited to two alcoholic beverages at the time of

purchase.

• There will two points of entry at the tent with police/security at each

entrance. In addition, the Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking

(TPAUD) will also have a presence in this area.

• There will be additional police and security officers that will be walking

around the tent to ensure that there are no issues.

• There will be a security officer stationed at the beer and wine dispensing

table.

• Responsible alcohol management training will be given to all volunteers

working in the tent.

• 15 two-way communication radios have been secured for key Trumbull

Day personnel. These radios will allow for the TPD and the private

security firm to add on to our frequency for monitoring.

• The TPD, EMS and TFD will also be setting up command posts at this

event to assist with all aspects of Trumbull Day.

• There will be no smoking in the tent or anywhere on the school grounds.

• Patrons of the tent will not be allowed to leave the tent with beer or wine.

The following personnel will be patrolling inside the event and its

perimeters and parking lots to ensure that alcohol is not being consumed

and to ensure for the well-being of Trumbull Day participants: TPD,

Trumbull Emergency Management Services, outside security company,

Civil Air Patrol, Trumbull Police Cadets and adult volunteers.

Police Patrols and More

• TPD will also be patrolling the Hedgehog Road vicinity. There will be an

admission entrance to Trumbull Day in that area. Admission price is yet to

be determined but will most likely be in the range of $4 to $7 a person.

There will be a security presence at all admission stations.

• The Commission is planning to have a full carnival, including rides, such

as a carousel and Ferris wheel, and typical carnival games and be ready

to open the rides moment Trumbull Day opens.

• Also planned is a centrally located stage, with a blend of music for all ages

and styles, to play continuously.

• In working in close conjunction and cooperation with the Trumbull Fire

Marshall, the TFD, the TPD, and all applicable state statutes, the

Commission is also planning on a firework display to close out the

evening.

• In reference to the use of Hillcrest Middle School, the TPD has requested

its use as a power source. TPD have strongly advised that we be able to

utilize Hillcrest in the event of a weather emergency. A portion of the

portable restroom facilities will be handicap and senior accessible so the

Commission does not anticipate having to utilize Hillcrest for this purpose.