Few Changes on Tap for Lansdale Beer Fest

With a unanimous approval vote by the Lansdale Public Safety Committee last week, Lansdale Beer Fest is a go for June 22.

Lansdale Beer Fest is run and sponsored by Lansdale Area Fundraising Society. Co-founder Drew Stockmal outlined some changes coming to the Lansdale Beer Fest.

The major change: a cutoff of the number of attendees at 4,000.

"Last year, with the popularity of it, we started to realize that at some point we have to face the fact that the site can only fit so many people. This is the first year that we're going to have to be really concerned about that," Stockmal told the public safety committee. "Last year, we were pretty much at capacity. We estimated about 3,600 people at that space."

The site of the Beer Fest will be revamped as well. Everything within the fenced-in area of the event—located in a field at the corner of Madison Parking Lot at West Third Street and Richardson Avenue—will be for the festival itself. 

Stockmal said all Porta Potties would be moved to outside the fence, with enough room for Lansdale Public Works and emergency vehicles to get access into the festival.

"We're going to use a lot of the area that abuts up against the tracks and create a self-enclosed Porta Potty village, if you will," Stockmal said. 

Another change comes in the way of the queue into the event. Stockmal said there were concerns with the line last year—it winded its way down Wood Street and Madison Street to Richardson Avenue.

"We will use the entire space that abuts up against Madison Parking Lot for what I'll call the Disney World line," Stockmal said. "Last year, our line went all the way to Molly Maguire's, and there are people coming in and out of the lot and it wasn't safe. We'll stuff people in that space and snake them back and forth." 

There will be three entrances for emergency vehicles, he said. A Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale member will be stationed at the festival for the entire day.

Stockmal said the security force last year of seven off-duty police officers will be doubled for this year's event.

LAFS also wants to station two refrigerated trucks near the site, and looked to Lansdale Police Chief Robert McDyre for cooperation in keeping theives away.

"The day before, we want to have all beer delivered to a fridge truck," Stockmal said. "The initial idea is to have two trucks and back them up to each other, so there's no issue with someone breaking into them."

McDyre said the trucks should be stationed elsewhere at a location where a Lansdale Police camera can watch it at all times.

Stockmal said there were no serious issues with Richardson Avenue and West Third Street neighbors last year.

"We gave them tickets and they loved it," Stockmal said. "I went out personally and knocked on every door across the street, and said 'Here's some tickets, we want you to come and enjoy yourself and we appreciate your support.' When we were cleaning up, a couple came over and said hi and looked forward to next year."

The event this year begins a half-hour earlier, at 11:30 a.m., and ends at 4 p.m. The VIP 

Committee Chairman Mike Sobel said June 22 is also the rain date for the Under the Lights Car Show.

"If it gets rained out, (Madison Parking Lot)'s where everybody pulls in to put their cars," Sobel said.

McDyre said the borough might have to reserve a lot of parking, but the police and borough committees would work on a plan.

Find out more about the Lansdale Beer Fest here.

Buy your tickets to the festival here.