Politics & Government

Beer Garden Debated For Expanded Wall Fair

Township Committee is undecided over proposal

The annual Wall Day celebration may be a thing of the past as town officials move forward with plans to expand the annual community event from one day to three for the first time in recent memory this year.

Also, there may be beer.

Recreation director Ed Grill pitched the idea of a beer garden at the expanded fair to the Township Committee during Wednesday’s workshop session.  While it was met with some discomfort from some on the committee, the idea of a dedicated beer tent for those of legal age was not dismissed outright.

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The committee plans to revisit the discussion later in the month, after more internal discussion and checking into some insurance concerns. A decision is expected by the committee’s March 23 meeting.

“I will say I was significantly uncomfortable with it last year, and I’m not so sure I’m all that comfortable with it this year,’’ Committeeman George Newberry said. “That said I can see how in the last two years events how this does have merit and my uncomfortableness with it just has to do with whether we’re going to manage it properly.’’

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Mayor Ann Marie Conte and Committeeman Todd Luttman echoed Newberry’s concern.

The Wall Fair, which is slated for July 1-July 3, is expected to expand the number of carnival rides up to 25 and feature stage performances from Wall Township bands and other talent. The event will culminate in the annual fireworks show on July 3, Grill said Wednesday.

Grill said Point Pleasant Beer Distributors, on Route 34, has agreed in principle to foot most of the bill for the beer garden this year -- providing the two tents, cups, wrist bands to denote, if the committee agrees to go ahead with the idea.

“The only thing they can’t give us (free) is the beer,” Grill said.

The distributor also has agreed to pay for the main stage rental, saving the town about $6,000, Grill said.

Grill said the beer garden could make around $5,000 each night, for a total of about $15,000.

Adding to that, Committeeman Clinton Hoffman said, the carnival ride vendor estimated the rides could bring in about $100,000 during the fair and the town would receive 25 percent of that in return.

“Between a beer garden and the rides, the event would more than pay for itself, maybe even turn a profit,’’ Hoffman said.

Two tents would be set up inside a fenced-in area at the fair for the beer garden. Identification checkers would let those of age inside, marked with a wristband, where fairgoers would then pay for their beer tickets in one tent and receive their beverage in another, Gill said.

No beverages would leave the fenced area, and no one underage would be allowed entry, Gill said. A police officer, uniformed or plain-clothed, might be stationed near the area, he said.

The idea of a Wall Fair follows the example of Manasquan’s annual Fireman’s Fair, which also has a beer garden and no reputation of problems because of it, Committeeman Clint Hoffman said.

 “Honestly speaking, the event is really about children,’’ Hoffman said. “But children aren’t going to get there without their parents.”


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