For the first time in it’s 19-year history, the Magnificent River Rats Festival will have a beer garden.
The idea of a beer garden has been on the radar for quite a bit of time. During the past few weeks, the Union Hotel has stepped up, saying that they’ll take charge of the project.
During their meeting Thursday, the festival committee approved the Union’s plan. This is something that Joanne Peckham, the town’s representative on the committee, believes community members will approve of.
“Everybody has received nothing but positive feedback on the idea — nothing negative,” said Peckham. “This is what the community wants, so that's what they're going to get.”
The beer garden is to be located next to 50 St, which will be closed to allow for any emergency access that’s needed. It’ll be in a covered tent that will seat between 100 and 150 people.
All of the planning, security and certification is going to be handled by the Union.
“(The Union’s owner) is a stickler for having a clean, stress-free beer garden atmosphere,” said Peckham. “(She really) takes it seriously. (She) came with (the) right ideas and proposals and she knows what she's doing.”
Anyone wishing to go to the beer garden is going to have to buy either a day pass or a two-day pass to get inside.
“It's going to be a win/win for both the Union and us to generate the extra revenue,” Peckham said. “I think it's really, really good and there was nothing that we had to be concerned about.”
